Beauty shots - Close Up

[mcherry]

Ok if I were doing this I would probably do it like this (meaning this is what I *think* I would do but haven't tested it).

I would use a long macro lens (probably my 200/2.8). I would have the camera on a tripod with a cable release and would shoot tethered into my computer. Once I had the shot framed I would begin lighting. To start I would put one big soft box above the camera pointing down at a 45* angle onto my model. Down under the camera lens I would have either two lights bounced off umbrellas (or a large soft strip, but probably go with the two lights and umbrellas) which overlap a bit and face the model straight on. The gaol is to bath the model in soft flat light so I want to balance the lights to achieve a pretty flatly lit image that is drenched in light. I would also position foamcore flats to both sides of the model as closely as possible. If shooting the mouth I may ad a piece of foamcore under the model's chin.

If not using a long lense, but rather a shorter macro lens, I might take one foamcore flat and cut a hole in it to shoot through. I would put this on a stand in front of my camera so that the lens fit through it. But I would only do this if I wasn't happy with what I was getting and felt I needed a hint more of softer flat fill.

Just my $0.02

[johne]

Originally Posted by That_Look_Photo

I hope you can tell me why you went with f11 and not just f8 at 1/250 with that lens ? I can see I have plenty to learn with this stuff. I can't get enough of your work..it is just so awesome.
Mike

Thnaks for the compliment Mike.

I went with the f11 over the f8 to get a little better depth of field. I wanted her finger tip, lips and eyes all in focus. With that lens and distance from the subject, the f11 setting provided the DOF that I needed.


Best wishes,
John Eckert
Ephotique