I took advantage of the start of Spring and the kinder weather to kick off my 2014 Street Shoot season with a photo shoot with local model Yasmin. I took along my new X-Pro1 camera, with its small design and fast sharp lenses being ideal for this type of shoot.
We met at a predesignated point in Leicester and used a handful of side streets in the same area for the photo shoot. This reduces the amount of walking to each area and maximises shoot time. A mix of natural light and off-camera flash gave us a great selection of images against different urban backdrops, ideal for model portfolios, editorial portraits or family portraits with a difference.
We battled with the wind somewhat but had a great time,and produced a fantastic set of images. The X-Pro1 performed brilliantly, and as I learn how to get the best out of it, will become my go to camera for portrait photography. It is very easy to carry around, and the quality is amazing. It worked flawlessly with my pair of Nikon SB-800s and Pocket Wizard Mini-TT1 trigger and TT5 receivers.
I popped into the studio with my youngest daughter Megan, as she wanted an image of herself included on my website. Tried a couple of different setups. First setup was an Octabox high up and feathered across her, with a stripbox providing fill light from the other side. Shot on a grey seamless background.
Second setup was a single stripbox very close in on Megan to the right, feathering across her face, and angled so that some light falls onto the background. Just used the modelling bulb of the flash to light the subject.
I prefer the second image for its intimacy and stillness. Shot at f2.8 to throw out of focus the rear shoulder and jacket. A great setup for a classic portrait without any fuss and drama.
I put out a last minute call for a model to help me with a test shoot to try out some new lighting setups in the studio. Shoot was scheduled for a Monday so I knew the chances of getting a model arranged was pretty slim, but Melissa came to my rescue and was a star !
I have never worked with Melissa before, but she was a true professional and we managed to create a set of great images for both our portfolios. And it means I have additional lighting setups in my arsenal, tried and tested and ready to use in the studio.
I shot a Burlesque portrait session recently with some fellow photographers, trying out a lighting setup using a smoke machine. Smoke machines can be tricky – too little smoke and you do not see any effect, too much smoke and it looks like the studio is on fire. But with backlighting the smoke, the effect can be really nice.
The model brought along some fantastic large feathers to use as props, which really brought the scene to life.
My personal project I am currently shooting is based on tattoos. Watching the Miami Ink TV series way back sparked my interest in the subject, and especially the personal reasons why people decide to have a tattoo (or three), and why they choose a specific design with the amazing colours and artwork. Most tattoos will have a very specific meaning for people, either a personal tragedy or a connection with their outllook on life.
Some people have one small tattoo, maybe hidden in a discrete area of the body, and are done. Other people have one and get bitten by the bug, and have tattoo after tattoo after tattoo.
If you are interested in being photographed by me with your tattoos in my Leicester studio, give me a shout at paul@paulhurstphotography.co.uk
I spend a lot of time with test shoots, using models to try out new lighting setups and ideas which I can then bring to commissioned shoots. The image above was created using a single strip box – feathered to create a nice light fall off across the subject. A very easy one light setup which is nice and portable to homes and office locations.
Second image above was a bit more complex, with a a feathered Octabox as main and two gridded reflectors behind and pointing at the subjects shoulders to create a nice backlight.
Third and fourth images were created using a single gridded beauty dish against the graffiti covered shutters of the studio, an ideal setup for teenager fashion shoots.
For every studio shoot, I aim to use four or five different setups, with the subject changing clothes each time, so that the end result is an excellent set of images to choose from for model portfolios or portrait albums.
Email me at paul@paulhurstphotography.co.uk if you would like to arrange a shoot.
Ellen contacted me recently to get a set of new images for her modelling portfolio with her agency. I have worked with Ellen on several shoots now, and it is always a nice session to do. The planned environmental shoot changed to a warm studio shoot thanks to the British weather, but we managed to create a great set of images, and even had time for some fun shots at the end.
A recent shoot with the wonderful Alex (on her first ever shoot) allowed me to test a few new lighting setups within the studio. A rarely used pink paper roll has been hanging in the studio for a long time, watching me and begging to be used. I decide to see what I could do with it, so used a single gridded beauty dish to light Alex and throw a distinct shadow onto the pink backdrop.
Second setup was against the white infinity cove, using a single gridded reflector on a Bowens head and shooting through a standard set of window blinds. You can just see the shadow it creates on Alex’s shoulder and chest.
Third image is the same setup as above, but with different lighting levels to enhance the shadow effect from the blinds.
Alex is a great model and for her first time did exceptionally well. Looking forward to working together again soon.