Portraits - Claudia

Apparently, I came across a client named Claudia which was rumored to be the hottiest hottie currently in my hometown. Unfortunately, I'd only knew this AFTER the photoshoot was done.
Doing the job with her was such an ease because she didn't like, freeze there like a half-inserted nail on a wood-plank which usually occurs to clients I had before.

Right! Setting up the place! since we are limited in an aspect of transportation, I decided to do it locally, where else if it isn't my own school, GASS. To some eyes, the area of the school may seem ordinary and common to view, *sheesh of course it is*, but, I don't know how to say this but it's something about, every inch of this world is beautiful if you have the creativity.

We started on the make-ups on 11.30am, whilst I, was transferring some of the pictures in my SD card which almost took about an hour! DAMN that's a waste of good time!
Well, my SD card was almost full and according to its' LCD screen on top of the camera, next to the shutter button, I don't even know what it's called, and holy crap only 50 * I think it was 56 * shots left!
Transferred some pictures, and deleted them in-camera, ask the client to do a 'little' exercise but not too much.
We did this 'warming-up' shot on an outside canteen

Below is an un-edited picture just to show you what I meant.
Well, it's show-time! Scroll down! =)

        

So, judging from the background, you guys should know that it's obvious where this was done.

Yes, yes it's 'there'. LOL

Firstly, since the palm plantation provides dark background, I thought I should make a low-key lighting type of pictures. But it was too hot at that time, going INSIDE the plantation area was like a good idea. 

Here is a pose which is similar to what I did to Hannah on her last photo session.

I should make this as an intro pose. =)

It may be comfortable *not really* there but the sunlight spots is really ruining my photographs. 

Fortunately, it's a good thing Claudia brought her blue umbrella even though I said to her that it's not necessary. The blue umbrella does not match with her outfit though. 

I know I am exposing my secrets here. But since my blog is a slow-one, thought I'd share something with you guys.  For your information, I only get averagely 8-14 visitors a day. =\

So I'll carry on.. 

Yes, yes I know, the lighting is harsh. Yet I should seldom on flashes and stuff because they're not natural lighting AND expensive!

I only need flashes on low-light conditions.

And since I usually do outdoor portraits and I got a LOT of lights directing the subject and coming in the sensor. 

But reflectors and diffusers is essential.. =)

And the pout done by Claudia was also unnatural. Means I have still a lot to learn! Even my ENGLISH needs some learning. I know my mistakes, I'm just a weak human but I'll  live. =P

Next is one of my favorite shot.

I think it is creative and really hard to do. You know when the light source is behind the subject, you have to try a few captures JUST to get to the right exposure. It took me almost 20 shots to get the correct exposure unfortunately I didn't. I also observed *again* my mentor, Frisco Daniel, which he had done a technique similar like this to a client back a few months ago but  I improvised it.

Anyway, without the Nano-coating , I think it's impossible to get this shot without over-exposing the background which will destroy the leaves and ruin my picture. So I used a technique called  'Fill Light' where I learnt from the Digital Camera Magazine Malaysia, last year edition, somewhere in September I guess. Fill Light is a technique where you utilize a flash to balance the exposure especially for a backlight like this. Keep in mind I don't have an external flash so the built-in-pop-up flash will do. But another problem occur. What? I used an ultra-wide angle lens for the shot which was Tokina 12-24mm f/4. 

Once, I readt that, pop-up flash will leave a semi-circle shadow mark if used on 24mm and lower focal lengths (DX).

But again, my solution is yet, a very simple solution where I capture on a wider focal length, I mean, intendedly putting up too much space which is wrong in composition, and crop it just until the distracting mark is gone. Re-compose carefully and VOILA! Re-shoot in PhotoShop! =)

I didn't forget to experiment some new pose to gain some experience.

I surveyed several close people from photography to non-photography friends and amongst all shots, they adore this one so much! Including Claudia herself! Maybe it looked casual or contemporary, I don't know.

I guess it stands out pretty much! It matches with what I had in mind. But if I had a telephoto lens here, I think that would be great. 85mm or 127.5mm (FX) is pretty decent. I don't mean to offense or make some of you oppose, but try this shot with a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G, I think it'd be 'fantabulous' .. 

Another backlighting. I don't have much to say here, so just view the picture. =)

We moved to an old garage to take a rest there. Boy the heat was intensive!

The old garage was owned by an instructor there. For GASSians who are reading this, it is owned by Sir Richard Kilus. 

His garage is an ideal place for photoshooting. But, you need to have creativity lurking inside you. Picking up composition and point-of-view here is really tricky. The picture is also inspired from my brother, Darren Wen and yes, Frisco Daniel again where they did a portrait at Penang last year. Too much effort to give the links! HAHA!

And another cute pose which I really like. =)

A similar picture to my most favorite picture.

Things get harder since the sun gets hotter.. HAHA! 

Seriously, it gets harder. I have to wipe her face constantly after each shot was taken to prevent sweats from ruining her make-up and also to avoid her hair from sticking on her face.

I mentioned I need a reflector a few photos before this, and I guess I really do. Money is my problem right now but a certain someone advised me, so I can save money by improvising. Use any white solid substance preferably a polystyrene. At first I was a little confused but as he explains, then I started to understand. Diffuser also is a good idea I suppose.

An example where a diffuser should be doing its' job. But this is one of my favorite pose she did, only that furbished crappy coat is really distracting. It's 'ARMLESS'.. HAHA! Anyway that's my favorite coat which I only use in a big concert or any great performance. =)

If only her cheeks was not brighten by the light spots caused by the sun. =(

Wipe her, here and there.. No I didn't go way there. Sweat's a big problem if you don't handle it properly. 

You don't wanna make your client looks tired. Trust me you don't. She will look tired, or sweaty, which ruins your work, and leads to dissatisfaction to viewers thus your reputation will drop. WOW! What a conclusion! 

So I looked at a broken entrance at the side of the garage and it seemed haunting so I've decided to do some snaps at the place. We were having some good laughs over the broken wood down there. Look at Claudia's left feet where the pillar is shattering. Darn termites!

Another thing is, Claudia's pose here looks unnatural especially her back. C'mon that's like The Hunchback of Notre Dame! She bended over like a, .. I don't need to say it anymore. 

This may be the last official photo I took for the whole portrait session. Somewhat more innocent and sad.

It looks nice but I don't know why, it doesn't , satisfy me. It's like there is something missing here. Problem is, I don't know what. 

Favorited!


This shall be the last photo after filtered. I made this my favorite because of her heart-catching expression. 
At first, when I saw this picture on the 3" LCD screen on the Nikon D300s, she seemed more like her sister, Natelie..
Then I reviewed this photo in the newly bought 21" LCD monitor, she almost look like an angel. Well not really, but I almost fell my chair down. =P


I mean, just look at that puppy-eyed look. I guess that 'head up, head down a lil' bit' commands actually DO works! I was like, 'big smile! *click* great, sad expression *click*, just smile a little bit, *click*'.. 


She seemed like, *cough* a girl who's asking me or the viewer to be my girl carrying a hope that I will accept her proposal. I mean just look at her!
But hey! She's just another client and I shouldn't  *doesn't mean I can't*    xD 

Pipi and Terina

So I got this 'new job' *sort of* at a bridal and I will be their photographer especially on outdoor occasions.

We also have a studio room, equiping only 2 flashes, 2 diffusers, one orange barndoor, and several backdrops.
Not to mention, many costumes, make-ups, and decorative items.

But I don't do much in studio because it is ironically really different compared to outdoor photography.
So what I do is observe and learn, hoping someday I'll do even in studios. =)

Back to the topic, it's the first day of job, and I asked ' the manager ' to bring out all the equipments so I can adapt with it.

Nikon D300s   (main body)
Nikon D70      (second body)
Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED  (Nikon D70's kit lens)
Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D (which I usually use)
and the Tokina 12-24mm f/4

Would have been better if the Nikkor 24-85mm has constant or fixed aperture stop.. preferably at 2.8..

But anyways, I didn't have any models at the moment there but at least, some kids at the shop next door is fond with the place I work with so I asked them to pose for me.

Presenting, Terina, and Pipi!!

I didn't want to pick this photo because they weren't in their outfit I gave them, instead they were playing with it.
But to tell you a little secret, this was a lucky shot.. Very lucky I suppose..
For what I did was, point the camera, without even looking through the viewfinder, focal length was randomly stated at 66mm, and STILL got a wonderful composition with brilliant expression.
No crops included!

This here is the younger sister, Pipi. She was active at first, and really naughty even.

But her manner changed after being asked to wear pretty costumes, stand in front of a big backdrop screen, and pose for me.

She was too shy to smile but that should be a NO problem. =)

And this here is Terina, the older one.
Creating this shot is really easy but it took me several shots to get it right.
Heck even these picked photos does not satisfy me!
But it stands out at least..

I love how the greenish-blueish temperature took part in this picture.
Yet, it still has the 'not right' kind of feeling whenever I look at the picture. Hmm.. Wonder what could it be..

Here we go! My favorite picture(s) for the session!
I really like the photo especially on the high-key effects..
Same goes to the second photo.

The only problem is, I can't tell which one is better. HAHA!

Little sis portrait.. Part III

Another one.. 

A whole portrait session but still the same girl.

HANNAH!

I lack of good subjects to snap so she would do.

And since I have no more good equipments for doing portraits, I guess this will be the last of her album.

Yes I know the quote saying, ' it's not about the equipment that matters, it's about the photographer ', but keep in mind, having a compact camera really limits your images. 

Anyways, I still create great landscape and macro images with my Canon IXUS 95 IS excluding portrait photography, which I really like to do. 

With all the great 'bokeh's  and the sharp pictures, and all.. 

I was bored but have the urge to go outside and snap things.
Then a question emerged in my head saying, 'what should I snap?' ..
Trees? Dirt? Road?
I can create beautiful photos of that using only my compact camera so I decided to do a portrait session with my little sister.
Asked her to change into a preeeetty clothes that'll make you look like a princess and say to her that I would uploaded it to Facebook so all your 'abangs' can see you.
I personally think the picture above as my intro since it really looks like it.
It was hard because we were surrounded by jungles and there's a lot of mosquitoes and Hannah was whining and all.. *I really used 'and' repetitively ain't I?*

As for the picture above, she was getting bored so she was, um,,,,, staring to the ground?
Well, I played a nice role of composition utilizing the Rule of Thirds, but I'm not quite happy with the shot 'cause I can create better 'framing' composition using the bamboo leaves upon her.
At least I got my desired tones and color mood.. :)

And then she was humoring me, creating funny faces and all.

Most likely the picture is a candid one and it turned out decently.

Originally, this is an RGB picture, as in, colored picture but I post-processed it and turned it into Black and White.

Plus with the help of the handy Adobe Camera Raw, it was so damn easy to generate your desired toning. 

:) 

p/s yoyong : mimang sa pandai suda kali ni.. hahahaha..

I know she was getting tired then suffering against mosquito bites and,,,,,,,,,,,, nothing else. LOL

Firstly, I did a few poses on this one such as similar with the intro picture. 

I'd even asked her to jump but NO, that was a BAD idea. 

Concluding, I asked her to laugh like crazy so and so.

It turned out pretty natural I guess. Even though it was a made-up laughter.

Went back home, and change the lens from the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D which is excellent in portraits, to Tokina AT-X Pro SD 11-16mm f/2.8 (IF) DX.
An ultra wide lens that is really excellent in landscapes but can be utilized creatively in portraits photography. 
Above is the sample and it is a bit cropped due to it's ultra wideness, I can even see my feet in the frame. 
But composition is a little bit off so I decided to do another one. (Below) 

Now this is what I'm talking about.

Using the lens is a bit hard if you're not used to it. And if you lack of creativity I guess.

And YES! I AM aware of the distortion that causes the subject's head look slightly bigger than her body but I intended to do that. 

Because what I'd imagined at the moment is a picture somewhat similar like these.

There you go. The ultimate album of Hannah's portraits. 

And she is really happy because she's not going to do it anymore. ....

Anyways, I'm gonna post another post that includes behind the scenes, and undisplayed photos. 

n-joy! :) 

Little sis portrait.. Part II

Here we go again!
Another session of me and my little sister photoshoot.

Except this time, I used an excellent D-SLR camera..
Really, I cannot deny that having a DSLR really does make your picture go more................'satisfiable' with your picture..
Here it come..


First pose, I tried to make the picture looked like a 'mini-version' of Cinderella... The Disney character..
Which had her shoes missing..... Am I right? I don't watch them actually and I don't know the storyline.. LOL

It's like a princess,,,, intendedly put her other shoes, waiting sadly for a charming prince to put it on her feet..
I guess this went well? I suppose.. Needs more creativity though..

Hmm.. Next, I got an accident shot..

Her pose wasn't exactly what I had in mind but I guess this went fine too? 

She's like, a really serious, hot-tempered princess.. 

Same theme like the picture above, only a little bit more masculine and manly and stuff.. =P

Last but not least, I got a picture, which really satisfy me lots.. 

And it's a copycat picture that was stolen from my brother, Darren.

Darren's picture............. Only without the 'wow' mouth.. 

Background is also similar to his on another of his picture