Chic Portraits

[wendellt]

taken backstage with my usual off camera flash technique



sound proofing makes for a great backdrop for a model/singer
it's also comfortable to lean against and if the model feels good the shot is good


added a male element to give this image more tension


this shot i experimented a little, scene was dark hardly no ambient light on the model, but there was ambient light in the background so i set the shutter to a slow 1/10 to get the background and set the flash to rear curtain sync, the flash captured her perfectly and the slow shutterspeed exposed for the background, you can see blur artifacts in the hair at the top which i think are cool. Next time i'll get the model to shake her hair all over the place


.

[shakey]

4th shot is gorgeous...I'd just get rid of those solitary whispy hairs on the cheek and lips in PP.

[admajic]

Did u do the 4th hand held? Its cool

[gunn parker]

#3 is a winner for me, the male head just makes the shot.
Andrew

[Mitchell]

That rear sync curtain technique works brilliantly. Another nice series Wendell.

Which way do you have the cardboard taped to the flash to restrict the lighting?

[Slider]

Brilliant as usual Wendell The 4th is a stunner.

[Bodak]

Very nice indeed

[marcotrov]

As always professionally executed images. Brilliant lighting that suits subject matter and really enhances facial features of models. For me, whilst all are brilliant, the picks here are #2 (love the design element) and the last frame filling and beautifull exposed portrait (gorgeous!)

cheers
marco

[rokkstar]

Awesome shots Wendell.
SO that 4th one is the technique you were explaining to me, works wonderfully.

EDIT: How di you soften the light? Was it your "snoot" or the lumiquest softbox?
Also, did you add in the heavy black areas in PS in #1 or was that a result of directing the flash?

[Alex]

Excellent photos, Wendell. First and last are my favourite. You slow shutter speed experiment in the last one worked very nicely.

Alex

[daniel_r]

Another couple of fine images Wendell.

For me, the pick is #2 closely followed by #1.

I take it that you had the SB-800 on the SC-29 with a snoot mounted, then a bit of PS to clean up the shadow area in #1?

[robster]

wendellt, I just looked at your website, some really nice stuff there. I was at the Hair Expo this year and your shots bring back memories of a good show.

Great quality work

Rob

[wendellt]

thanks people

in regards to answering technique questions i have already explained myself in my previous posts, the search function will find a wealth of knowledge.

it's more fun to work out how to implement my ideas rather than me outlining step by step what i do - thats too easy, some hard work and nut cracking is involved but once you experiment you will be much happier when you work it out

Robster thankyou
Hair Expo was insane jam packed with wicked creativity, what was you involvement, did you take pictures?

[mudder]

Mate, I always look forward to seeing your work... The way you use your lighting in model/portraiture is so, so.... dunno... sensual???

I'm getting interested in learning more about portraiture and I always enjoy your stuff... More please

[big pix]

I am not a big fan of hard lit portraits,...... but it is the look of today to some degree, and these to me are the best yet...... the lighting is not too hard, not too soft, lots of shadow detail, and nice and sharp...... the last pix is my favourite from this collection

[DionM]

These are great Wendell. Always look forward to your shots.

[Heath Bennett]

Love them all. Full points. Especially well executed 1/10th shot.

[Murray1006]

Geat work. Your flash technique is wonderfull. I'm going to have to get the off camera shoe cord now and have a play with some of my potraits.
No. 4 is the one that appeals to me the most, but all are strong images.

[losfp]

Wendell, I like #1. Could very easily see it in a magazine ad or something

[barry]

Great shots Wendell. I am also impressed with shot No.4.

Barry

[wally]

Wendell these shots r friggen awesome mayte!!
u always seem to shoot the laaaaadies..the bootiful ones i reckon id get a bit erm, well u know...excited..and well u know have an extra zoom of my own..u know? do u date any of these chicky babes? nice work and if ever i'm in sunny sidney and u need some help...I could come with my jock strap handy.hhahahaha...nah seriously dood, great pics u have talent!!

[ABG]

Wonderful shots Wendell. The first and fourth are amazing.

[robster]

Robster thankyou
Hair Expo was insane jam packed with wicked creativity, what was you involvement, did you take pictures?

No picture taking for me!
I spent just about the whole three days in business meetings with product and education companies.

Listening to a description of your off camera flash technique I believe I saw you taking photos of the 'Fellowship' models. I remember watching and trying to consider what your photos would come out like, and now a quick visit your web site has clarified my opinion. very nice work.

The show was wild, yes. Particularly the Sassoon catwalk, and this year I believe the photographic entries were just out of this world. I can't recall ever seeing so many technically brilliant photographs in one lineup!

Perhaps next year we should meet up.

I highly recommend the Hair Expo for anybody who is interested in fashion photography, I really think you'd get a shock at the quality of work that is going on at that event.

[wendellt]

Robster thankyou
Hair Expo was insane jam packed with wicked creativity, what was you involvement, did you take pictures?

No picture taking for me!
I spent just about the whole three days in business meetings with product and education companies.

Listening to a description of your off camera flash technique I believe I saw you taking photos of the 'Fellowship' models. I remember watching and trying to consider what your photos would come out like, and now a quick visit your web site has clarified my opinion. very nice work.

The show was wild, yes. Particularly the Sassoon catwalk, and this year I believe the photographic entries were just out of this world. I can't recall ever seeing so many technically brilliant photographs in one lineup!

Perhaps next year we should meet up.

I highly recommend the Hair Expo for anybody who is interested in fashion photography, I really think you'd get a shock at the quality of work that is going on at that event.

yup after photographing 3 prestigious Fashion Weeks, the production and creativity that goes on at hair expo is better than any fashion week show
the Hair and styling is amazing, the fashion is amazing, photographic potential is endless!!

although i thought the vidal sassoon show was hard to shoot to many variable light antics

thanks guys

[stubbsy]

Wendell

As I've said before I think your backstage work is much more interesting than the catwalk stuff (I know why) and these are no excpetion. #1 and #4 are my pic.

[greencardigan]

Top work as usual Wendell.

It's always a pleasure viewing your shots.