Portrait

Gallery & Art Performance Space Promotional Portraits

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Local art scene friend Laly wanted some promotional shots of her to rebrand Raw Vibes

It is always nice when I can work with friends, so when Laly called me up asking if I could make some promotional shots of her inside Raw Vibes for some rebranding she wanted to do, I said, "I'd love to!" She did not want static, posed shots of her just sitting in her art performance space/gallery or anything like that, which was fine with me as I like to specialize in candid style and putting the person in motion makes for an interesting creative and technical photography challenge.  

This promotional shot of Laly mirrors the curve and flow of the image she wants to put forth for Raw Vibes

To make these shots I put my Nikon SB-600 Speedlight on my light stand at its max height of 9' above and to frame left.  I shot with my Nikon D300 using my Nikkor 105mm VR micro lens from way on the other side of the gallery/performance space triggering the strobe in commander mode.  I used aperture priority mode / f8 / 1/60th / ISO 200 / SB-600 @ -0.3 (about)

The challenge was to catch Laly in just the right frozen motion as she danced herself into the candid pose.  She described to me earlier what she envisioned for the shot and I concentrated on waiting for that exact moment and after quite a few tries, I was able to frame everything right and capture Laly at full extension.  It always feels good going from idea to actuality in photography.   

Pole Dancer Model Portrait Session at Raw Vibes

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Pole Dancer Marla in the Black Box room of RAW Vibes in St Petersburg FloridaSunday evening I had a portrait/model session with Marla, a pole dancing instructor at RAW Vibes, the art and performance space run by Saint Petersburg art community friend, Laly, whom last year exhibited my haikyo photographs.  

It was very easy to work with Marla, who posed very well on her own.  I do not believe I said a word to her about posing the entire time, she just went from great pose to great pose.  This allowed me to focus on just making and composing the photographs as best as I could.

The "DANCE" painting was already on the wall, so I cannot take credit for thinking to include it in the photograph.  I did of course notice it and tried to make best use of it for this photograph.  I position myself so that no part of Marla overlapped with the frame of the painting, and also to make it seem like the person in the painting is gazing upon Marla, unbeknownst to her.  I imagined the viewer of this image to be like the viewer in the painting.  

I chose the "antique plate" filter in Silver Efex Pro 3 because I wanted to really accentuate Marla as the subject of the photograph and put into shadow most of the background.  

How I made this photograph:

  • Nikon D300 with Tamron XR Di II 17-50mm lens handheld
  • f/8, 1/60th, ISO 200, aperture priority
  • strobist:  Nikon SB-600 Speedlight on light stand high to frame left triggered by commander mode on the D300
  • processing:  RAW file in Aperture 3, image clean up in Photoshop CS4, conversion to black & white in Silver Efex Pro 3

Classic Late 19th Century Military Couple Portrait

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This couple kindly agreed to let me make their portrait on the University of Tampa Campus

EXIF DATA:  Aperture priority f/8 1/60th ISO 200 - Nikon D300 with Tamron XR Di II 17-50mm

STROBIST:  Nikon SB-600 Speedlight full power with cap diffuser hand held to frame upper left triggered by commander mode on Nikon D300

(Whenever possible, I will be including the EXIF and strobist information with each new photo story.)

This is maybe the sharpest portrait I have ever made using the Tamron XR Di II 17-50mm lens.  I was teaching a DSLR Photography Lesson on the University of Tampa campus when the student and I came across this couple.  The student first approached them and asked if she could take a photo.  After she finished I made my portrait using my "quick and dirty" portrait method of just holding my SB-600 off camera in my left hand extended as far out as I can, while balancing my Nikon D300 in just my right hand.  I believe it is a method I am getting good at!  Of course I would prefer to be able to setup my light stand, put the SB-600 right up on it, and have two hands on my camera to carefully get the exact composition I want, but unless I am working with a portrait client, that usually is just not possible (unless you setup a street model shoot!).

So I have been working on my "quick and dirty" portrait method while making the portraits of my students during their lessons.

This couple was standing on the front porch of the Plant Building looking very dignified, quite in contrast to the attire, or lack there of, that many of the student body choose to decorate themselves with these days.  I had no trouble addressing the couple as sir and ma'am.  Even if it was just acting or just the costumes, they had an aura of class and dignity about themselves.  

No doubt wearing such outfits back in the pre-airconditioning days of Florida no less would be intolerable to those accustomed to t-shirts, shorts and 70 degree controlled climates.  Heck, I cannot even wear cotton as that is too stuffy for me, all synthetics only.  Still, I am very enamored by the formality such attire creates.  I thank this couple deeply for offering me a few minutes of time travel.

Lucas? Spielberg? or other portrait?

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Lucas or Spielberg lookalike

When I first saw the man pictured above, something caught my eye about him.  I did a double take of sorts.  I did not see it at first, but after awhile it finally came to me:  this man looks like either George Lucas or maybe Steven Spielberg.  Tell us in the comments below what you think, Lucas or Spielberg?

I made this candid portrait using a single Nikon SB-600 Speedlight off camera on a light stand.  I just slowly walked over, set the light stand down, and boom! portrait made before he even knew I was there (he was a member of another event I was shooting).  Most of the processing was done using Nik Software Color Efex Pro 3 via Aperture 3.  I cannot recommend this great set of software filters enough. 

5-Minute Model Shoot - Nicole "Daydream"

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Model: Nicole, friend of the Lighten Up and Shoot crew

Nicole was the model the Lighten Up and Shoot guys brought for the meetup yesterday.  As the turnout was quite large, she was naturally surrounded by photographers from the get go.  I am not into squeezing in amongst 20 other lenses.  I cannot photograph that way, so at first I just listened to Mike's wisdom on manual settings for off camera flash.  Later on I saw that Nicole was off by herself.  I asked her if she would not mind posing for a few (more) shots.  Being very professional she just immediately started into some great poses.  The above image was made in between poses and gave me a post-production theme of "daydream" for this set of photographs.  Of course on a regular model shoot I would have a theme locked in beforehand, and would have lots more time than just five minutes, and two other photographers would not be trying to trigger my speedlight as well.  So all things considered, I am pleased with the results Nicole and I were able to produce in such conditions, and I definitely hope to be able to work with her again.

The daydream continues . . . I really like how Nicole (or the MUA) applied her eye shadow.

 

I love working with models like Nicole that just go into poses naturally.

 

I was trying to make use of the strong backlight from the sun, and applied a bleach bypass filter. Do you think it works, or not?

Thanks again to Nicole for being a great model for so many yesterday.  

Candid Child Photography Promotion Spring 2010

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Candid Child Photography captures your child being a child - available in greater Tampa Bay area

Jason Collin Photography introduces a new limited time only candid child portrait photography package.  Jason believes in photographing children as they play, have fun and act like children.  Playgrounds, beaches and sports fields make great locations.

CANDID CHILD PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE -- please refer here for current packages