The quest......
What kind of comments are you waiting for?
Comments re the lighting would be appreciated.
THE QUEST:
Has anybody ever told you something can not or should not be done ?
What was your reaction - immediately, 5mins later, 5 hours later, 5days later...........?
Mine usually go something like this:
- immediately - frustration
- 5mins - you're wrong and I'm right
- 5m to 5h - maybe you have a point - doubt myself, my ability, blame it on the kit/tools etc.
- but then .........
- 5h to 5 days - explore, research, go all out to prove a point (I LOVE a challenge)
We all start with a frame of reference, based on our history, our ambition and our attitude towards things, not so ?
In the domain of photography, things are no different. Every photographer, whether happy snapper, pro, artist, journalist or highly specialized have to answer the same basic question :
What do I want?
How do I get it ?
To some it up, how can I get the best result with what I have, within the limitations imposed by my circumstances?
Applied to my question, the scenario goes something like this:
I love shooting certain subjects - portrayed mostly as natural looking as possible
I have a fairly restrictive budget - so my equipment is not the very best, but adequate (average)
I want to maintain maximum mobility - basically, whatever I need for the job, I must be able to carry and use , independent from others.
This, within the lighting context brings me to the following point:
In general, the experienced will tell me that (for many reasons) you can not get the same result from Flash as you would from studio lighting equipment, and to some degree I am willing to accept that....
but.....
the studio is not a candid environment
I want to shoot my subjects on location etc etc.
That then automatically FORCES me to start thinking differently, and develop techniques suitable to the situation. With the right technique, modifiers etc, it must be possible to achieve a good result.
That is my main motivation for being here - to learn from others, but not just by observation, but rather through interaction.
So, keeping in mind that the shots posted were lit with flash, using a very specific bounce technique (also learned from elsewhere on the net), with a "bundle of energy" subject that would not sit still, and wanting a product where the negative effects of flash are minimized at the time of shooting and not afterward........Did it work ?
trouble with bounced/reflected flash is that tends to eliminate 'all' shadows. I feel that shadows add a significant feel and drama to an image ... but how can drama can you add to a wonderful image of a happy child?
Gary, if there was no way for you to know that flash was used (and not studio lighting) - If I was able to show these to you in print, what would your comment be then?
After a certain point, lighting is not an issue and the human factor takes over. There is no need for more effort. She is lovely and they will appreciate your work. She lights the image from inside herself, from her self-absorbed innocence.
I can imagine window light with her lying on her mother's lap. However, that would be a new composition for B&W.
Asher
Very true, and certainly something one always needs to keep in mind when selecting the tools for the job, and your approach to the subject. Same question as to Gary, Asher - if I presented these in print, is there anything that would have caused you to maybe think the light was not artificial ?
Sadly they were only here for a day, and live far away - I would love to try more options, especially with B&W somewhere in the plan.
I hope my response is not too arrogant/forward. If so, as always, tell me I'm an idiot.
Regards
