Hello to whomever might be checking this board... I've been doing headshots for my university theatre for the past couple years and have been producing work of "good enough" result for the constraints they place upon me- speed and economy are more important to them than ultimate quality and while I work hard to give them as good a result as I can, I know given a bit more time and control to work I could produce better. In a couple of days I'll be shooting a headshot for a friend where I will have more time and control and yet I've not got as much experience in this arena- I've got at my disposal (other than camera/tripod/stands) a Nikon SB-28 w/SC-17 cord (I use it with my 645 camera and flashmeter as well) and an older flash on a Wein pocket slave which isn't sensitive enough to use in any sort of daylight. Both flashes have small Lumiquest softboxes on them (I can't justify the expense of "real" softboxes yet.) I've also got a Wescott sunlight/silver reflector; 48" I believe. I plan to shoot outdoors in the evening in diffuse light- I'm confident I can produce a result she'll be happy with (I know/understand her, which is IMO the most important step to a successful image) but would greatly appreciate any suggestions in really making the most of the shoot. Thanks in advance.

-- Eamonn Aiken (eamonn@emulsionz.com), June 18, 2001

Answers

Also- I plan to use 400CN rated at 250 w/yellow filter, which I prefer to standard BW for portraits. I print the negs in a traditional darkroom, and though I've heard XP2 is a better film for darkroom work, with no time to experiment I'd prefer to stick to what I know.

-- Eamonn Aiken (eamonn@emulsionz.com), June 18, 2001.

Sounds like you've got plenty enough equipment. I'd focus on looking with your eyes at the light, and other than that forget about the light, and concentrate on the moment. The moment is the key after the essentials of technique and gear, and it sounds like you have them both down...shawn

ps have fun!!!

-- shawn (seeinsideforever@yahoo.com), June 18, 2001.

This may not help your problem (I think you have enough equipment) but it does relate to lighting simplicity.

I recall years ago taking a workshop from lighting guru Dean Collins, and he told the story that he learned his lighting techniques from and old German or Swiss photographer who used only one light bulb, a white bedsheet diffusor and some reflector boards. Now that's simple!

Collins does make extensive use of reflector boards and diffusion screens with minimal lights. You might try to get one or two of his basic lighting videos. What he proposes makes sense...the old "less is more" concept.

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), June 19, 2001.