You have a thought about some scenes you want to create, and the next thing you know your shooting them.
I think you have to challenge yourself to create photos that are sometimes different and quirky, try something different with the lighting and have some time in a studio to have a play.
Taking this time can produce great results, and gives you a better idea of what tools you can use to light a subject.
This is a photoshoot with the awesome Misty La Malice at the Attic Studio in Enderby Leicester.
This blog will showcase some of the great photos, and a little about the pretty simple but effective lighting. Also maybe some of the editing.
The theme of the shoot was a marionette. Something where the posing technique is very different to fashion modelling, although we mixed it up a bit. A couple of different looks and scenes to fit.
I used a full frame Nikon Camera with either a 28-70 f2.8 lens or the 50mm f1.8.
Set 1
The First Setup was with a snoot to camera right and a gridded strip box on quite low power to camera left. ISO100, 1/200th and depending on the DOF I wanted f5.0 to f2.0. The Vignette accentuated in post.
The First Set worked out exactly as i wanted. I had a good idea what effect i wanted and how i wanted the scene lit. I wanted to keep it fairly low key with some nice highlights. The Wires made it slightly difficult, but a few slight movements mitigated that mostly.
Tried a few shots with a red gel on the snoot and this worked great as well.
Set 2
The Second Set after a quick Tea and Biscuits was the same outfit in the main and just changing the backdrop.
This time staying with the Snoot which was at Camera Left this time just to add some hair and face highlights mostly, and a beauty dish camera right. Mostly sticking at ISO100, 1/200th and f2.8-4.0.
Set 3
The last set of the already fantastic session. We went with an androgynous look. I think this lent well to some of the wider shots here especially.
Lighting with the snoot camera Right to provide small highlights and the second shadow, and a gridded beauty dish camera left.
There is probably (definitely) going to be another shoot in the same vein but with some more twists. Along with other shoots that are in the pipeline, just to keep practising, trying new things and building skills and confidence.
Some of the Kit i use to get these shots. Because the Attic Studio is very well equipped, all the lighting and triggers were provided.
Any Questions or Comments about this shoot and others, you can comment on any of my blog posts.
If you want to take a look at some of my other portrait shooting blogs see below.
Finally, have fun and stay safe, and enjoy shooting.
Any suggestions for future blog posts, drop me an email. I will at some point be going into more detail on future posts.
you can see more of my work at
About Me
I’m Gareth, a 39 year old IT contractor, Photographer, Eternal Optimist and Blogger. I have been behind a camera for about 4 years now and love shooting the stars, and anything else for that matter. Learning is the main aim for me. I am a family man, and strive to be the best i can be in all fields that i put my mind and heart to.
