Portaits in Blackness

[Pichead]

As with many aspects of photography, when I was a beginner I often wondered how photographers were able to suspend their portrait subjects in total blackness, making the faces pop. I initially thought it was a Photoshop trick...

Well, it's not too difficult. So anyone who doesn't know, you simply place the subject in front of a black sheet, or black background, etc. Now, if there is too much ambient light, the imperfections, creases, lint, etc. in the background will show. But, if you darken the room and use a flash or directed light for your subject, many of those imperfections will disappear.

I know, it's not rocket science...but there are probably some who will read this who were like I once was so I thought I'd throw it out there.

The shot:

This is Benji, a good friend. He came over with some other friends & family this past weekend to watch the NCAA tournament and when he walked in with that hat, I knew I had to get a quick shot.

I put him in front of a black collapsible background and asked someone to hold an SB-600 over his hat @ 1/8th power, out of frame to camera top left. I had someone else (I was lucky to have had a lot of company...) hold an SB unit by the ground pointing up at his face @ 1/64th power. This second flash helped to subtly eliminate some harsh shadows that were resulting from the single top flash.

Because I knew I'd be photographing indoors, I had my 50mm 1.8 lens on my D700. I set the aperture to f/3.2 @ 1/125th and finished with color adjustments and minor sharpening in Aperture.

[Bianka]

Thanks for sharing...

I was just thinking recently what would happen if I actually did just what you described!
Recently I tried taking a portrait of a friend in b/w but it didn't come out quite how I wanted. I will certainly be trying this out next!

The problem you have with this is if the subject is wearing a dark color, such as above, you have a floating head.

Repeat after me...

Mekka-lekka-high-mekka-hieny-ho!!

[zona5101]

just a hint of an edge light would be just the ticket.
Nice work on lighting the face and the choice of PP toning

[Pichead]

Originally Posted by zona5101

just a hint of an edge light would be just the ticket.
Nice work on lighting the face and the choice of PP toning

You're right. If I'd have had a third SB unit (which I need to buy), I'd have rimmed the subject from back/right which would have added to the shot and eliminated the floating head. But (and this is probably just because I took it) I don't really mind the floating head effect in some instances...

Thanks.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Pichead

You're right. If I'd have had a third SB unit (which I need to buy), I'd have rimmed the subject from back/right which would have added to the shot and eliminated the floating head. But (and this is probably just because I took it) I don't really mind the floating head effect in some instances...

Thanks.

Don't get me wrong - it is very well done!!!

if not another SB then a reflector bouncing just a bit of main back in there would be good

Again, very nicely done - this lighting and it's ability to bring out that awesome texture in the hat are top notch, A#1.

[Glayva]

Great expression from this guy. I like this shot a lot particularly the tone you have given it. However, I do agree with the others who have suggested just a little edge lighting on his shoulders would have made this absolutely perfect. Very well done and thanks for sharing.

[ki_user]

Actually like the floating head look, very interesting

[daddyoproductions]

Ha ha Max, nice blast from the past...I nearly wet myself
~C

[tadthephoto]

I love this shot, the fact that the head is "floating" makes it all the better, being able to make out the shoulders as some have suggested would turn this into an "ordinary" portrait. I am intrigued that shooting at f3.2 you achieved sharpness from front to back, is this as a result of your sharpening work in Aperture?