Portrait Photography - My growth in 2007

[bahgheera]

Here's a question I often have when I see this type of portrait - how are you getting the background so black? I always get some light reflected from my background, even when its black. :|

Outstanding portrait, its good to see how far you've come in just over half a year, it gives me hope that I might progress to some level as well, heh heh.

Laters...

[Manda]

This is a strong portrait - I like the eyes

[sybren]

Originally Posted by bahgheera

Here's a question I often have when I see this type of portrait - how are you getting the background so black? I always get some light reflected from my background, even when its black. :|

It takes a few steps:

1. Pick a shutter speed and aperture so that the available light hitting your background isn't seen.
2. Use a light source such as a flash to properly illuminate your subject, with such a brightness as to get a proper exposure.
3. Make sure that your light source doesn't illuminate the background. You could use gobos, snoots and/or grids for this.

[kunaldaswani]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

kunaldaswani,

I do remember the portrait from March, and the process of change over the last few months is clearly shown in your latest photo. That's encouraging; I've watched that happen over and over with those who post often with shots and comments.

This portrait is strongly dramatic, lighting soft enough to favor beauty, letting shadows blend into pure black. Eyes, if there was ever a case of "eyes making the portrait," here it is. Very well done; thank you for the inspiration this year too.

Thank you Mr.J! You know many of us here have greatly improved because of our very own honorary member, i know i have! so another very big THANK YOU!

Originally Posted by Robin Sarac

I haven't followed your progress, but this is a fantastic portrait. Dramatic and...well beautiful! And not just because of the stunning model. Nicely done.

Thank you Robin.

Originally Posted by Manda

This is a strong portrait - I like the eyes

Thank you Manda

Originally Posted by bahgheera

Here's a question I often have when I see this type of portrait - how are you getting the background so black? I always get some light reflected from my background, even when its black. :|

Outstanding portrait, its good to see how far you've come in just over half a year, it gives me hope that I might progress to some level as well, heh heh.

Laters...

I think you got your answer above. Anyway my set up was a small softbox, side lighting, black back drop. Made sure light fell only on the model, set my camera on its flash sync speed and kept playing with the aperture till i found the right setting so the camera would not pick up any light falling on the backdrop. Another point to remember is to keep your model at least 4 feet away from the back drop.

Sorry my answer is a bit confused, but hope it helps.

EXIF:

Tv: 1/250
Av: f13
ISO: 100

[Teewinot]

Fantastic work, Kunal! Wow, great improvement. Thanks for sharing your progress with us!

[bahgheera]

Thanks for the tips kunal and sybren. Now I have so much more to learn... aieee! But thats good though, it'll keep me busy for a few days / weeks / years... decades...

[kunaldaswani]

Originally Posted by Teewinot

Fantastic work, Kunal! Wow, great improvement. Thanks for sharing your progress with us!

Thank you.

Originally Posted by bahgheera

Thanks for the tips kunal and sybren. Now I have so much more to learn... aieee! But thats good though, it'll keep me busy for a few days / weeks / years... decades...

Hehe.. its good fun. All the best.