My friend paid me a visit

[gaopa]

Yesterday afternoon a friend came by for a visit. When I saw him I marched him to my little basement studio. He is a fun guy and I thought a wonderful model! Hope you enjoy. Cheers, Bill P.

[JBat]

Very nice portraits.

[Ashley]

<3 I love black backgrounds. I always try to push my customers to choose black. Nice photos!

[gaopa]

Thanks, Ashley and John.... I had fun getting some shots of my friend.

I was given some old hot lights/stands/umbrellas by a pro ages ago and just now have a place to set them up. I don't know what I am doing, but having fun learning about portrait photos and lighting. My good wife is my live-in model and very patient with me. My friend is a fellow amateur photographer and was willing to sit for me.

Ashley, since you are a pro, any suggestions are welcomed. Same for you John.

Here is my home studio and I would like to get better and then shoot family and friends. I am retired and not interested into going commercial. Just an old guy having fun.
Cheer, Bill P.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by gaopa

Thanks, Ashley and John.... I had fun getting some shots of my friend.

I was given some old hot lights/stands/umbrellas by a pro ages ago and just now have a place to set them up. I don't know what I am doing, but having fun learning about portrait photos and lighting. My good wife is my live-in model and very patient with me. My friend is a fellow amateur photographer and was willing to sit for me.

Ashley, since you are a pro, any suggestions are welcomed. Same for you John.

Here is my home studio and I would like to get better and then shoot family and friends. I am retired and not interested into going commercial. Just an old guy having fun.
Cheer, Bill P.

Actually, Bill, this is an area of photography I want to get into myself, the home studio. I've always been a shoot on the fly kind of guy, mostly outdoors, sports, landscapes, abstracts and the like. I'd love to set up at least a rudimentary home studio, if only to take photos of my watches!

There's plenty of info around the web on this, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Your photos look great as is, IMO. The only thing I'd say is mess around with the lighting placement to see what kind of different effects that gives you. Side lighting, in particular, seems to be flattering for portrait work. I'd also be interested to hear of any post processing that you did.

Very nice work!

[Ashley]

Nice simple set up. I can't wait to have my own place where I can do this!

[Prince]

Very nicee photos, Bill. Thanks for sharing!!

BTW, I want that jacket!!!

[gaopa]

Yep, Ashley, I have wanted to have a room dedicated to my photography for years now.... I finally got it and love it!

Sorry, Prince, it is supposed to really turn cold so I doubt my buddy will let you have his nice leather coat.
Cheers, Y'all, Bill P.

[roadcarver]

Great portrait shots! Excellent composure. Any PP done to the images?

[Prince]

Originally Posted by gaopa

...Sorry, Prince, it is supposed to really turn cold so I doubt my buddy will let you have his nice leather coat...

[gaopa]

Thanks for the kind words on my friend's photos. It was a fun shoot.

I am using a Nikon D200/85/1.8 Nikkor tripod mounted and cable release. The ISO is 400 and the f stop is 2.2. I use spot metering and set a custom WB for the lights using an Expodisc. My focus and metering point is his face. These images are unaltered jpeg except for sizing.

I do want to experiment more with light position, shadows etc. I know nothing about this type of photography, but am learning from folks on the internet.
All the best, Bill

[gaopa]

Here are a few more I did of two buddies last Saturday afternoon after they had worked all day.

[JBat]

Those look great.

[TDH]

Nice portraits and a sweet studio there!