Self-Portrait 1

Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: 28 – 105 Nikon
f/8 at 1/250
ISO 100
Opus OPL 500 Strobe with a snoot
Opus OPL 250 Strobe with a 43” umbrella
Vivitar 285HV Flash
Nikon SB-24 Flash

For the past few months I have rented a small studio. I have been trying to put to use the knowledge I gained from taking a couple of studio lighting classes at Langara College in Vancouver. For this shot I simply wanted something that portrayed me as a photographer.

I decided to give one of the strobes a double purpose by having it both in the shot as well as function as a hair light. After some trial and error I managed to position the light so there was only a small amount of lens flare. I used the Vivitar and Nikon flash units each with a different coloured gel to light the background.

The main light was a shoot through umbrella. I am not happy with the look that light gave me since it was quite flat. I think the problem was the studio itself, it is small and everything is painted white. Also, the studio is not equipped with any flags therefore too much light reflected off the walls and back on to me.

One thing I do like that I think helps to balance the photograph is the main light’s reflection off the lens of my camera. It was difficult to achieve since I was both the subject and the photographer. In most of the pictures there was no reflection. This one and one other shot without a lighted background were the best of the bunch.