Finally, Some Improvement

I've dipped in and out of modelling photography a few times, but since May 2010 I have been doing this as a priority.  Helping me do this are the great models, make-up artists and photographers of a Flickr group I set up in September called 'Bristol & South West Modelling Photography' (we're also now on Facebook & Twitter).

The following are a few shots that I feel are my best images of each month so far this year.

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March (Model: Laura Ruffell)


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Who Needs A Light Meter?

This was just a test shot to see how the lighting was looking. I bounced 2x Yongnuo 560s off the wall behind me, both set on 1/4 power; given the distance to the model I estimated that that would give me F5.6. Here's the result which has had no adjustment to the exposure.

I think I've been doing this too long. :)

Model: Laura Ruffell http://www.lauraruffell.com/

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Hotwells Urban B&W Film Shots

It's been a while since I shot any film and I have a few cameras to test. These were all taken at the end of February on a day which started out cloudy with some rain, but turned into a warm, spring-like day.

I've been meaning to get some shots of the Clifton Rock Railway as well as some of the other sights that I have missed around the Hotwells area of Bristol.

All taken with a Canon EOS 50 loaded with Ilford HP5+ film developed at home.

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Modelling Shoot with Kate

These were taken with with new model Kate Davies. I used a few of lenses for the shoot, but my favourites were taken mainly with an old Meyer Trioplan 100mm and these are featured below.

In the 1st photo, I was surprised that a lens of such basic design and lacking the modern coating did such a good job when pointing into the harsh afternoon sun. I think some of my modern lenses would have let me down.

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Modelling Shoot - Lorena

These were taken at a recent shoot.  It was supposed to be an experimental lighting workshop, but as all I had available to me was my usual lighting rig which I know inside out, there didn't seem much to experiment with.  Plus, I was trying to demonstrate to my co-photog my usual go-to setup which is used throughout.

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Camera & Lens: Canon 5D mkii and Canon 70-200 F4 L
Keylight: Softbox 45 degrees camera right
Fill: Umbrella slight camera left
Backdrop lit by 2 flashes


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More Portraiture & Lighting Techniques

These were taken at a recent event and feature a few techniques that some may wish to explore.  The 1st two images I used an umbrella with 2x flashes as key light and a bare flash directly behind the model which gives a hard rim light and also illuminates the rain.

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Model: Ozy Hussain



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Urban Night Shots

Just some shots I took around Bristol Centre and harbour before the festive period.

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Merry Xmas!

It's been a busy time and not much time on the blog, but just to wish you all a Merry Christmas from me, MS-Imaging & Bristol & South West Modelling Photography!

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Strobist B&W Film Shoot

This was an event in November. The weather was about to change for the worst, but the models managed to brave the elements. I shot 2 rolls of film in 2 different cameras (to save time). I did have a 3rd roll of film ready, but everyone had had enough of the cold and I wasn't sure I'd be able to load another roll as I couldn't feel my fingers.

I was keen to combine off-camera flash, modelling photography along with film. I did pack a light meter, but I didn't use it. I simply used the cameras' meters and set them to under expose the scene by 1 stop and then used the auto mode on the flash to give me the correct exposure. I then developed the film in such a way to give a lower contrast to avoid harshness.

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Sometimes it's not the obvious

This was taken at an outdoor shoot recently. I really didn't think of using B&W on such a colourful model, but it seemed to work better than the original which I was not so excited about.

Lighting was 2 flash heads on a Triflash holder with an umbrella as key (camera right) and single bare flash camera left set about 1 stop under for fill.
Model: Melaney `Bubblefaery' Carey.

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