chobit

It'll eventually get there.  Overcast lighting is in fact some of the easiest lighting to work with when shooting portrait.  Essentially, it's a large softbox.  In many cases, when we do portrait shots in a wedding, The time is between 1pm-4:30pm where the lighting is at it's worst.  So, the first thing we look when we arrive the shooting site is to find the shade (Opposite side of the sun+large building), where lighting is flat.  Low contrast = easy lighting.

I hope this thread wouldn't become Happycow and chobit only thread.

In all your shots the external light is usually the main source of light. It's simply too hard for ...
快樂牛郎 發表於 2012-5-2 23:25

快樂牛郎

I always hear the pros talking about all kinds of technique to handle difficult light. Sure, if you work for a client and you have to shoot at a certain location at a certain time, then you do whatever you can do to get the job done. But those are just junk shots no matter what you do. The good stuff comes when you chase after the light, not to fight against it. The easiest lighting condition is also the best.

chobit

The next set of my photos are shot @ Yale Town.  Some of the shots are similar, but it was also purposely done in different angles for capture the different lines/color/shape in the background as a series.  It was actually 1 of my very few photoshoot which I decided to try out some PS Filters.

chobit

Nah, you sure that's truely what you were thinking?
Remember that Paul/Chu Yan photo you commented.  that's a easy/standard setup, but you think it's boring.  The photographer probably play it safe for the same reason.

So, overcast lighting play the same role, it's a anyone can do type lighting where you can't go wrong, but the same old is boring.

The last couple of photos you posted are also unique, right.  It's not everyday you have people taking picture of faces with scars and blood on it, but then that's probabaly where the funs..

PS: BTW, isn't not about fighting the light, it's higher contrast lighting is too help you create the kind of image you wouldn't be able to do with flat lighting.  Say those, extra shadows from the trees, and the higher contrast on the leaves which you want to blend into the shot.

I always hear the pros talking about all kinds of technique to handle difficult light. Sure, if you  ...
快樂牛郎 發表於 2012-5-2 23:46

快樂牛郎

Remember that Paul/Chu Yan photo you commented.  that's a easy/standard setup, but you think it's boring.  The photographer probably play it safe for the same reason.

That was a studio setup where the photographer could choose any setup he prefers. The "easy" lighting condition I was referring to was just natural light from the sun.

PS: BTW, isn't not about fighting the light, it's higher contrast lighting is too help you create the kind of image you wouldn't be able to do with flat lighting.  Say those, extra shadows from the trees, and the higher contrast on the leaves which you want to blend into the shot.

If you just want high contrast lighting, you can achieve it easily with the right location. What I was saying is that, even if you can try to fix a bad lighting situation by using sophisticated setup, the result would simply look like it's a patch work. It's never gonna look as good as another shot that combines the right location and the best natural light.

chobit

Got it, sadly, that's the kind of what you have to deal with in weddings.
Client often pick their location, and time.  And the time simply won't be morning, nor would it be at lunch or dinner time.
Yet, I wouldn't say you can't work around it.  There are so much you can do as a photographer to made decent photo even at relatively poor lighting.

For example, you don't try to to soft looking beauty photo during sunset, you can pick to do Silhouettes, or off camera flash with gel color filter to blend the flash light into the shot, etc.!

Is one type better than the other, I wouldlnt' think so.  But then one may like one style better than the other..!  All it comes down to is preference.

I remember an exercise I did some years ago.  (Recommended by a good photographer).  When we review a decent photo (I don't think there is such thing as best photo), before we say nah.. I don't like it.  Ask myself if I understand the shot.  
where is the light, type of light, how many light source, focal lenght, composition pose, etc..!  Then if I don't like the shot, what would I do provided with the same everything, and how and why it is any better.

That was a studio setup where the photographer could choose any setup he prefers. The "easy" light ...
快樂牛郎 發表於 2012-5-3 00:38

chobit

BTW, I don't recommend making the setup to complicate either.  A DSLR (Highly recommended) + Off Camera Flash (with High Sync capability like FP mode), and stand and an umberlla.  So essentially just 1 light to help you work with your subject.

Including the sun, you can already manage 2 light source which come from lighting directions.  Sometimes, the wall or glass, etc can help as the 2nd or 3rd light source as well...! Again, it's fun to check around and think about the light, then have them work for you to create the kind of mood, and effect.

I always hear the pros talking about all kinds of technique to handle difficult light. Sure, if you  ...
快樂牛郎 發表於 2012-5-2 23:46

Look4chrisng

回復 44# chobit


    I like this one.

Look4chrisng

I like his portraits.  I think he shoots large format a lot of time.  But the expression is so nature, you can see the personality, no CHOK 樣.

But his stuff is whole other level, so you can learn from him in so many ways

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shima11/7068551067/

快樂牛郎

I like his portraits.  I think he shoots large format a lot of time.  But the expression is so natur ...
Look4chrisng 發表於 2012/5/3 08:42

As I mentioned before, most of the good stuff these days are still shot on film. Even when these people shoot digital, they use it as a point & shoot and instant free polaroid.

I don't know how anyone can truly understands the photographic process without shooting film.

He has a lot of good work, but I wouldn't say he's at a really high level. You can shoot like him in a couple years if you put in a lot of hours and effort.

But it's good to finally see someone in HK with good stuff (most of the stuff from HK are crap)