Three-Flash Portrait

Three-Flash Portrait
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

I wanted to see if I could create a portrait without any help from Photoshop. I decided to use my ultra-sharp Canon 50mm:1.4 and three flashes. I moved them around a little until I found what I wanted.

I had my camera tethered to my computer, so I could see each shot as I took it. I also adjusted my camera calibration in ACR and set my changes as the new default in Adobe Bridge, so I could see my post-processing as each shot was taken as well.

STROBES:
Canon 580ex connected with off-camera shoe cord 2.
1/32 power, camera right, 2-feet away

Nikon SB-22 triggered by PT-04 eBay slave shoe mount
1/1 power (only available), camera left, 4-feet away

Nikon SB-24 connected by PC cord to PT-04 eBay slave
1/4 power, behind subject, less than 12-inches away

There's also 3-stops of ND filters on my lens to help cut down the power of the SB-22. I didn't want too wide a depth-of-field.

Little Sisters Grow Up Fast

Little Sisters Grow Up Fast
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

My sister Shelby is a little ham. Over Christmas, when she didn't have my camera in her hand taking her own pictures, she was modeling for me.

I made sure to use the same basic setup I had used for my self portraits specifically so I could do this treatment to her photo, although I never told her that. I have a few others (actually, quite a few) that were taken outside, but this is my favorite.

My Sister the Movie Star

My Sister the Movie Star
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

Our grandfather calls my sister a "movie star" and in this photo she looks the part. She was kind enough to let me take a nice portrait of her over Christmas, although I don't think she minded that much.

Photoshop:
Her skin is just naturally this soft (wink-wink). I desaturated about 20% and added a viennette to draw more focus to her face.

Strobe:
Canon 580ex into umbrella at 1/1 camera right
Nikon SB-22 at 1/1 camera left and behind subject (this flash has no power control, so I placed it as far away as I could)

Thanks sis

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. Just thought I'd let everyone know that my girlfriend got me a photography class at the local community college. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of black and white film work as well as printing my own photos. After that course is done, I may take a summer course in studio photography.

Merry Christmas

I See Color

I See Color
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.
Strobes:
Canon 580ex at camera right with umbrella
Genaric strobe behind subject pointed at wall full power

Self Portrait

Self Portrait
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

Strobes:
Canon 580ex at camera right with umbrella or snoot
Genaric strobe behind subject pointed at wall full power

My Roommates

My Roommates
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

My roommates' holiday card.

Strobe:
Canon 580ex in umbrella to camera right.

There was supposed to be another flash at camera left, but it doesn't like to work very often. I would really have liked to use it as a rim light.

Soft focus was added in Photoshop to give a bit of a romantic feeling.