[Leica] [img] is this light too soft?

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Kyle Cassidy asked:
Subject: [Leica] [img] is this light too soft?<<<

 

>>>I'm thinking of doing a series of studio portraits of "heroes" --
doctors, firefighters, police -- people who for one reason or another put
their lives at risk to protect others. 

 

i'd like to have a sort of "standard" portrait lighting for all of them,<<<<

Hi Kyle,

Steve Barbour has given you the best lighting advice yet!

STEVE SAID:

>> I would ask you kindly to consider...go where they are, where they are
heroes, photograph them in their home environment, in the real light in
which they function... in a studio, in artificial lighting...they may just
look, well...artificial...

then they could be just about anyone...they are heroes, not models...<<<<<<

Besides you've set your style of how you see and shoot over the years with
existing and strobe lighting. Why change it mid stream when you'll have
incredible looking subjects?

It isn't like you don't have the talent to see and use natural lighting as
you've shown that ability in excellent use a zillion times over the years.

Besides any idiot with a digital camera and a softbox light can do the
everybodys done it before thousands of times simple soft lighting "watch the
birdie" look into camera snap shot!

You do not want that kind of dumb ass type of picture! Certainly when you're
photographing people who put their lives on the line for all of us day after
day!

Use the magic of the light where your subjects are. Because you see and use
existing light so well use it where they work! 

Without being overly concerned about hauling an umbrella or soft box. Yep
have one handy just in case, but don't let it be the lighting crutch for
such wonderful people.

ted