I still deconstruct the work of other photographers all the time – it’s a great way to expand skill sets and understanding. And I know from your previous feedback that you guys are fond of these posts, so let’s dig into another one.
I was asked to photograph the amazing and controversial Prince Manvendra of India last month in NYC. It was an honor. But tell me…
How did I make this picture?
Is it a snapshot?
Lighting?
If so, how?
The camera Settings?
The direction?
Post production?
Whatever details you think were needed to make this image.
We’ve done this lots before, but I thought this particular image would be a good one to dig into for a couple reasons. I’ll reveal how it was made in a followup post and give a signed book or something to one person who nails it in the comments below.
f/8
exp 1/100
iso 800ish, not sure since its so dark.
no direct flash, but 3 lights, one on the Princes feet, one focused spotlight on the speakers over his left shoulder , and one softbox directed completly on subject.
i dont know how youve made the speaker image appear on the orange fabrick, but its really interesting.
6 glasses of milk in the photo. . . priceless. . . lol
Four lights. One above pointing at his feet. Two pointing at the stacks of speakers. Main light to the left pointing at the man. No idea about lens. I’d guess about f5 since the speakers are a bit soft compared to the subject. It’s not a snapshot. Yes, color managed, some sharpening, some vibrancy, but I’m guessing now…
– you made this picture using your dSLR
-not a snapshot
-lighting: 2 lights in front (and slightly to the left) of him- lighting his face and his legs. One strobe behind the chair illuminating the speakers
-camera settings: 1/100 sec f/8 ISO 800
-direction: of who, the prince?
-post production: either his skin is completely blemish and wrinkle free, or this photo was edited 🙂 I think it’s the latter
-details: a whole crew of people fusing over the subject’s makeup and clothing.
Thanks for this 🙂
I’ve always done these in my head but never posted my thoughts for a break down…so here is my best go…
– Posed Portrait
– Nikon D3s
– Shot with 24-70 at 24mm
– F/8 at 250
– ISO 800
– 1 Broncolor Pulso Head camera left and high aimed and snooted down towards left speakers
*** Speakers are adjusted closer and further away slightly to reveal more/less light on parts
– 1 Broncolor Pulso Head camera right (about the height of top of chair) barndoors adjusted at 45ish degrees aimed towards right speakers
– 1 Broncolor Pulso Head with Chimera Softbox (medium) camera left
– Minor Curves and saturation adjustment in PS CS5
Excited to see what the real breakdown is
Hey Chase,
thanks for posting these challenges.. they are a great way to learn not just your technique but your view.. here is my guess
The stage
It seems to be a studio, but the darkness around seems to come from the small aperture used for high dof. Maybe there is some dark background.
Camera Settings
I don’t know.. D3s/x? D90? D700? I assume that you used the one of the D3 series, right? The lens seems to be a little wide, but not too much. What about the 17-35 f/2.8mm? or 24-70 mm f/2.8? Maybe the latter..
Everything looks pretty sharp to me. I’m guessing you used f/11 – f/18, and shutter speed somewhere in between 1/250 – 1/500 to keep the surroundings dark. I think that you didn’t used a tripod for this one.
Lighting
It seems to me that you are using 3 flashes: on the upper left a beauty dish, lower left maybe another to light the legs and lower body; both hard light. The third one looks to be on top of one speaker behind the chair pointing up w/difusser. It seems that all three flashes are working full power or 1/2 power at the most. I’m not sure whether the light on the speakers of the left side is a reflection of the upper beauty dish or not.
Post production
I guess there is a little bit of increased contrast and enhanced color for the Prince
Cheers,
Jorge