The Concept Driven Lighting

Two photoshoots in one day, each one different from the other.

There was a time in my photographic career when my idea of a terrific lighting would always include an umbrella or a soft box.  It's a safe bet and you could almost never go wrong.  Everyone loves soft light.  It makes skin look creamier and softer because light virtually "wraps around" your subject, hiding some signs of aging and imperfections on almost anyone's skin.  Shadows blend smoothly to highlights, it's simply beautiful.

It's just a shame that a lot of photographers can't get past this stage.  To those, every light has to be soft.  I've seen a good number who would light in the same way whatever the concept is, wherever the location is and whenever the shoot is.  As if, it's the only lighting technique anyone needs to know.

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Group Portrait - The Beats and Bytes Dancers

To those who do not know, the Beats and Bytes Dancers are celebrities in the Filipino community in Qatar.  They are regular performers to almost every Filipino community event including celebrations, grand opening of restaurants and even major concerts of Filipino singers.  One the dancers, Leah, organized this photoshoot with a specific concept.  She happened to be a good friend of mine.

The concept required that a telephoto lens be used to compress perspective and make each one of them appear pretty much of the same size.  That's something unachievable with the usual wide-angle lens we use where people closer to the lens appear bigger than those who are farther.  Not a problem since I've got a dependable Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II  - currently my favorite lens for portraiture.  However, I am shooting a big group and that means I will have to shoot from a great distance to fit them all in one frame.  A big venue is now necessary to execute the photoshoot.

Fortunately, Beats and Bytes have got some connections at the American School Doha so they were able to secure the school's gymnasium for a one-hour photoshoot.  I used 2 Speedlights, both with umbrellas and one on each side.  There was sufficient ambient coming in from the windows so instead of using them as main lights, I just used them as supplements - to boost ambient light power and fill-in the shadows.

Me in the center holding the Certificate of Appreciation they awarded me after the photoshoot.

They were all pleased with the results.

Cheers,

alexdpx

A Long Day . . . A Fun and Productive Long Day.

Al Shamal, the Northern-most tip of Qatar

Al Shamal . . . is literally translated in English as "North".  I just got back from a long and tiring day of driving, photoshoot and . . . yeah, I got scratches on my knees and right hand - battle scars, as I prefer to call them.  Despite all that, I had a lot of fun and was able to satisfy my hunger for artistic expression. 

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