Introduction
It's ages since I've done any portrait photography - I just haven't had time but as I've said many times before it is my favourite kind of photography.
Due to the time consuming nature of it - you can't just easily go out on a whim if you want to work with a particular model, I tend to store up lots of photos to work on and edit when I have time.
I also like to revisit old shoots as sometimes when you are detached from the actual shoot, you can see some of the photos in a different light and pick out different ones to edit.
Sometimes my favourite photos are the ones that I discover in this way.
These are all of the lovely Rachelle Summers. I think I have posted a couple from the same shoot (way back sometime last year). I have included an alternate black and white version of one of those photos in case anyone remembers and is interested.
These are also all backlit photos. I love this particular lighting method for the way it creates a kind of halo around the subject and can also emphasise contours.
Let me know what you think.
The Photos
1
This is probably my favourite. I edited out the windowsill that Rachelle was sitting on as with it being white it was only partially visible (due to the exposure) and it looked a bit strange.
2
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The top photo was with the blinds open and the sun coming in. This is with the blinds closed. Love the muscular contours here and in the following shots.
3
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4
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I went for a softer and brighter look with this and the next couple of shots.
5
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6
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7
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I was trying to go for a more old school film look here. Not sure if it has gone too far.
8
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Not sure if I want to do more with this one. I like the composition here but I may do something more creative with the colours. What do you think?
9
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An outdoor shot that I missed earlier. I like the composition on this one.
10
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I think have posted the original colour (hybrid painting/photo version) of this before. This is one of the black and white shots I created to get a better impression of the tonalities without the distraction of colour.
Details/Camera Info
- Nikon D800.
- Sigma 24-70mm/2.8 lens.
- Natural light (sunlight).
- Edited in Lightroom, Photoshop and Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 (monochrome shots).
- Model is Rachelle Summers.
this is truly beautiful work, my friend. I spend hours trying to find just the right photos for my stories so I know. I don't get the technical aspects, but I understand mood and atmosphere and subtle emotions and nuances caused by the play of light and shadow. Great work!
I almost missed this post it was buried under a welter of re-steemed posts, alas, the bane of steemit. We really need another method of celebrating others' work without detriment to our own :)
Thanks mate. Yes there needs to at least be away of filtering our own posts from resteems. Maybe we could have two columns, on for our posts and on for resteems.
Also mine are probably not of the studio quality shots that you use but feel free to use them if you ever find any that are suitable.
In fact I might repost some of my old shots at some point (if there is demand) for people who want to use them.
Sadly when I first posted them it was very hit and miss if people saw them and I think only a couple of people used them in their own posts.
that would be excellent! Good suggestion - I hope someone develops this kind of interface
2nd pic's the most appealing!
Thanks!
Really good camera work and equally good modelling! Thank you for the contributin!
Thank you:)
The 2nd shot is hands down my favorite, even though they all look very nice!
The black and white photos really stand out....Very nice on everyones part.
Thank you:)
@thecryptofiend never leave your equipment without portraits for so long 😊
:)
Very cool @thecryptofiend, I love the first shot especially I think. Great use to light too, these could easily be mistaken for studio lit shots. Those great big windows make for some amazing soft light.
Thanks so much mate! These were taken in her old house where she had these massive windows which worked so well.
No kidding, those windows are pretty amazing, nice you got to put them to such good use :)
Well it was a happy accident if I remember correctly. I had all this lighting gear and was having difficulty in synching so I thought I'd give the windows a try and control the light using the blinds.
The most important thing is the light in photography
;) photography, writing with light
Yes of course.
I can write a lot about how the light should be used but unfortunately I'm new here and I have neither the power nor the followers to have anyone to read me ...
Мaybe I'll do it in the near or far future when I can reach to more people here...
Anyway... Great story mate :)
Very nice photos and beautiful model
Thank you:)
Well I don't know nothing about photography. But as a viewer I can tell that they looks beautiful @thecryptofiend I was just wondering that you haven't posted since a long time I just see your resteems. Thank you for sharing nice photography.
I have it's just that it is hard to find my posts in the resteems. I get too excited with the resteem button.
Maybe @klye could make a browser add on like he did for his newly released Steemit FloatVote button. I'll ask ......
I really love the photos. Especially, the black and white ones.
Thanks!
I am a HUGE fan of greyscale photos, they look timeless. Yours are certianly very nice, followed and upvoted!
Thank you!
Nicely done! It's amazing how much photography talent we have on Steemit!
Thank you:)
Can I be your model? You'd surely make me look awesome :).
I'ma dude, I hope that's fine :D.
Lol no problem I would love the practice - never photographed men before but it is something I will try at some point.
Haha, awesome :).
Though I believe that we are divided by a big pond between us?
I'm in Europe.
I'm in the UK though not US.
Ah, that's fair :). Still across the pond but closer :D. Well, I already migrated from UK and I don't think I'd be very welcome there anymore. But hey, who knows, I still have an uncle there and some friends so I might visit.
You should!
Great shots! WoW. Wish I could snap portraits like this. Fantastic!
Thank you:)
Amazing photo's of this beautiful woman!!
Good work @cryptofiend!!
I like the first one best as well!!
Thank you:)
Great works! Twirble wants to drawzem!!!
Cool please do.
I don't know how it is for a photographer but for a model ( when it's not a daily job but a 'once in a lifetime ocassion') it's one of the most powerfull self awareness experiences. I remember that after the shooting I saw myself different, somehow more beautiful and full of reasurces, somehow more vulnerable and trusting more the ones around me. Beautiful pictures!
Cool thank you for sharing your experiences. I have heard other models say this too.
Beautiful shots there, I'll follow you for more :) Hopefully you'll have more time to share with us :)
Thanks:)
@cryptofiend Very nice work! I just did a quick outdoor photoshoot with a model friend of mine yesterday on a parking ramp! It's nice to shoot outside of studio lighting sometimes! :)
Yes definitely. I think natural light is the best light.
Nice Photography, Photos says more than words....
You are very correct sir...I like it too
Thanks yes:)
welcome...
Great pictures cheers mate
Thank you:)
So many excellent shots here Arif! Can't pick a favorite!
Thanks mate:)
You're very welcome =)
so beautiful..I am trying to get into photography...I have a sony cybershot dsc hx10 will that do the job? I have been using my samsung galaxy s5 active for most of my photos ...
Does it have changeable lenses - I think the thing that is the biggest advantage with DSLRs is the fact that you can use different lenses and the shallow depth of field you get. Unfortunately fixed lenses and smaller cameras don't give you the same leeway.
no, it's a point and shoot that I bought ..cost $400...I need to save up for one then ...thanks for the tip :)
That's quite expensive - it may actually be more like a DSLR anyway. Have a try out and see what results you get. If it doesn't work out you could pick up a cheap second hand DSLR.
it is suppose to be pretty decent, it has 18.2 megapixels etc etc....I'll post some photos later ...see what you think :)
Cool.
You should take a look at some of the used equipment on ebay. For $400 you can get a pretty decent set-up!
Nice.
Thanks!
Thanks!
wow the grey scale photos are super awesome,and thats a very good camera.I am a big fan.
Check out this post you may like it -https://steemit.com/steemit/@tinashe/steemit-future-in-africa-zimbabwe-going-viral
Thanks. Just an FYI - please don't post unrelated links in comments it is considered spamming.
ohk sorry for that,it will not happen again.
Those are some fantastic photos. I am going to save up for a camera of my own... I am glad you mentioned the camera you use. I am a complete amateur.
You don't need the exact same one. It is best to start with Canon or Nikon because there are a lot of cheap second hand lenses and equipment which you can buy - plus a lot more choice. These days even the entry level models are really good.
Damn these are some beautiful shots ( the model as well ) haha keep it up!
Thanks. Yes Rachelle is amazing.
What did you use for your fill lighting?
Just a handheld reflector if I remember right - I think I did try to use flash but I was having a problem with syncing.
That's what I thought. And since the back light was soft, it complemented with soft. I liked that. Especially for the B&W photos.
Thanks mate. Yes I always carry the reflector with me - flash can be temperamental - it gives you more control though.
Authentic capture of emotion and expression. Excellent work !!!
Thank you:)
Really beautiful shoots, @thecryptofiend ! I have to say that my favorite is the number 10. I love b/w and in the 10 the light seems to be very soft and remind me a sense of finess and delicacy ^_^
Thank you:)
Well done! First 2 are my favorites.
Thank you:)
I do like the monochrome ones, beautiful pictures, there really good :)
Thank you:)
Your welcome :)
Wow that's beautiful! I wish I could be your model! <3
Thank you:)
@thecryptofiend I remember all the hotties you have photographed used to be a big part of your blog last summer and fall. :-) Great shots!
Thanks mate!
Hey man, I didn't know you are a photographer. I really like the composition and the old school look of #7, as well as #8 (I am not sure why, though). As for the rest of the black & white photos, I would have preferred to see a bit more contrast. But that's just me :)
Thanks for sharing these shots!
P.S. Now thinkig about it, I am not the biggest fan of backlit black and white photography :)
Thanks. Yes we all have different things we prefer. I tend to change what I like over time.
Yeah, I think that's normal :) My preferences change as well.
Mine sometimes change very quickly and then they change back:)
Haha 😂
Rachelle is gorgeous. And you added emotions to the pictures. Great post!
Thank you!
beautiful work my dear really
Thank you:)
An excellent example of how to use correct lighting to enhance your shots. Some very competent and stylish portraiture. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks:)
I love pictures 7 & 8...by the way she is cute...
Thanks. Yes she is very pretty.
This remembering me about an old shooting of mine.
I don't know too much about being a photograph, but when I have the chance to be a model I don't say no.
Nice:)
nice
Thanks!
Very nice! No 5 is my favourite. Those eyes are piercing. The composition is well framed. The lighting is silky soft. Much love💗
Thank you:)
Very nice! 5 and 7 my favourites.
Thank you:)
Those pictures look amazing! Great lighting and positioning!
Thank you:)
This post received a 0.7% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @ehiboss! For more information, click here!
Thank you:)
Hey @thecryptofiend, fantastic creation from you as usual and No.10 is my personal favourite :)
I finally got hold of a Cannon EOS 750D Camera and still try to learn how to use it... Your work is truely inspirational Thank you!
Cool let me know when you post with it. Thanks:)
No 7 and 10 is the best shot, Overall all of them are pretty good. Thank you so much for sharing :)
Thanks!
You are most welcome, Will look forward for more content from you.
Really like #2 and #3. With #2, the silhouette effect and pose are really nice. With #3, I like the softness...the softness in her face at that angle and the way she has her hand in her hair and framing her face. Nice job :)
Thank you:)
I like 3, 4, 5. I don't know if you re-edited those but I liked the soft overexposed light. I've also been playing with alot of natural window light lately for the baby pics. Dang it. Why am I talking about baby. It's all about lovely Rachelle. Time to sleep.
Thanks. I just darkened the shadows a little to give greater depth.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing! I can see the hard work behind these gems!! :)
Thanks!