Archive 2022 · Golden hour with Jean Baptiste

DustinFurlow
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Golden hour with Jean Baptiste

Hey all,

Thanks for viewing. This would be my first post here on FM other than the buy/sell section.

I've been reluctant to post any of my work as I've just hit the 2 year mark and still have a ton of learning to do. The pandemic was a time where I was able to invest in some Zoom lessons with a couple photographers who's work impressed me, so basically a 60 min tutorial on using off-camera flash (what a learning curve that still is) and a simple color grading screen recording/explanation of some of my photos and the rest has been via YouTube lessons. It's helped a great deal and of course the hours put into editing maybe 30 smaller paid shoots now has helped sharpen the eyes. Anyway!

I'm curious to hear the good and bad about this series of photos, as I was really happy with them (and mainly how little I had to do to them) however I know it's important to hear other's perspectives not so much to make the photo "better" but maybe just to be able to understand it in as many ways as possible.

I took these with a Sony A7riii, the 70-200 GM ii, and a Godox Ad200 in a 24" softbox. All shot at 115mm, F11, 1/800, ISO 100 however the flash has totally escaped me, thinking it was -2 TTL.

Which one is your favorite? Which is your least? I sent these to a few folks who have been shooting for years and one mentioned the bush behind Jean probably could've been edited out, but I did and for some reason I didn't like it, however its odd because If I was to show this in a gallery of some sort I probably would get rid of the bush for more minimalism (talk about an oxymoron).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts shared, I appreciate it.

Jul 07, 2022 at 12:12 AM

Dneufarth
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Golden hour with Jean Baptiste

Dustin, It takes great courage to post for the first time, and also great courage to reply to a person’s first post. Hopefully, though, others will join me in welcoming you, and encouraging you to continue posting. I really like the first image, this is a wonderful concept.

I will offer a few points to consider. First, I would like to see more space within the frame of the images. Second, and I am not an expert with flash lighting, I think the balance of the light could be a tad better, and/or a bit of fill light used camera right. The colors are certainly beautiful to my eye.

Please keep posting Dustin, these images are powerful and beautiful.

Derek

Jul 07, 2022 at 09:24 AM

Danpbphoto
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Golden hour with Jean Baptiste

Yes WELCOME Dustin! I am enjoying the first. "holding" the sun and no real "hot spots' on his face as in #2 on the bridge of his nose.
As Derek states..continue posting. And despite the constructional feedback on your images..in the end it is what YOU like.
Now if you are selling, working for a client.....yes proper technique and LIGHTING are essential in projecting your composition.
FM has some really fine portrait photographer's here and they have no problem sharing their workflow with other members.

Let's see more please!

Dan

Jul 07, 2022 at 10:07 AM

KE_Photo
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Golden hour with Jean Baptiste

Welcome to the discussions, and congratulations on jumping in! Please don't feel reluctant to post - it's a great way to share and learn and see things from different perspectives. Below are just some notes - only opinions - not worth much. ha ha

I really like the color pop in these and overall tonality and vibe.
1 - is the clear winner IMO - I like it!
2 - unfortunately he's headed out of the frame for no apparent reason. Forehead hot spot is strong.
3 - the pose seems a bit off, partial blocking the sun, and yes, the bush is growing out of his head.

The use of flash is probably the very first thing that jumped out to me about these.
While it does deliver that 3D pop - it also reflects off of shiny skin (which can be tough in post production).
The use of HSS (fast shutter speed beyond a normal sync speed 1/250 or so) tends to produce a more contrasty image with hotter brights and deeper shadows. If you raise the ambient light by going to a higher ISO, you'll fill the shadows with a little more light - try tinkering manually with the exposure triangle when using flash to see what you can do! Adjusting the flash manually on your remote is also a great way to learn if you have time to review as you go. TTL is sort of "safe" but manual is fun!

Tip - a fractional CTO or CTS gel might have helped blend the ambient color of the scene with the color of the flash's temperature a bit.

Thanks for sharing these - keep on posting!

Jul 07, 2022 at 07:20 PM

Bill Gass
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Golden hour with Jean Baptiste

#1 pose for me, nice work.

Jul 10, 2022 at 01:32 PM


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