Basic 2-light portrait setup

Also in this issue:

• Rescuing out-of-focus images
• Next time in Cameracraft
• New ebooks and updates
• More!

Basic 2-Light Portrait Setup

I've blogged about a lot of things, but I don't think I've ever demonstrated a basic two-light portrait setup.  This is for a series of pictures of middle school students I did back in April:

And here's the simple two-flash setup: 

The first flash used an umbrella (to diffuse and soften the light) and a second, weaker flash aimed at the back of the head (red circle) provided a "hair light".  

Keep in mind you don't need these large flashes to get shots this good - I only used the big flashes becuase I was taking a lot of images, and I needed a fast recycle time and didn't want to change batteries often.  Before 2018 all I ever used were the small Sony and Minolta accessory flashes, like this example from 2008.  Or this example from 2010.

Exposure-wise, I set the camera to Manual exposure, 1/200th at f/8 ISO 100.  And the flashes were set to manual output, whose power level was determined by trial-and-error.  (Good thing we have digital now for instant feedback, and you no longer need a flash meter!)

But one image was out of focus.  I'll tell you how I fixed it after a few announcements.

Seminars!

As soon as the A9 III book was released I was putting the finishing touches for the NEW Friedman Archives High-Impact Photography Seminars which premiered in Plymouth at the end of April.  

The feedback was phenomenal!  An example:

Hello.  Thank you very much for such a wonderful photo seminar experience!  A worthwhile investment indeed! It was such a pleasure to finally meet you. I've always enjoyed your books and online presentations. You're just as engaging and delightful in person.

I took away a lot of positive experiences from the seminar. It reinforced and revisited some excellent fundamentals in photography, and I came away with some excellent new points too.  I am particularly grateful that you took out the intimidation of wireless photography."

It was the wireless flash comment that I found most gratifying, since it was my goal to get people past the intimidation part and let them see just how easy it actually is (despite how it might seem after reading the Flash chapter in my book. :-) )  And so I'm tweaking the format a bit more, giving a wireless flash introduction during the day and adding a special Wireless Flash workshop at the end of Day 2 for those who want a friendly hands-on experience with this important technique.

The next seminars will be in Florence, Alabama Sept. 14-15, 2024 and Kansas City, Kansas Sept. 21-22, 2024 (both sponsored by local photo clubs).  I'm also going to be giving a lot of personal appearances in local photos clubs near Boston and Plymouth in the coming months - send me an email to get a list if you'd like to attend.

In the Pipeline  

Fujifilm X100VI by Tony Phillips is out in all formats (printed. .pdf, .epub, and .azw3 for older Kindles.)

The ebook for the Sony A9 III ebook has been out for a month.  An updated version, which will cover new features with Firmware v2.0, should be released by the end of June.

Updates to 3 other Sony Cameras - June will also be spent creating supplements that cover new features in new firmware updates for the A7S III, A1, and A7 IV.  If you've registered your book purchase with me you'll automatically receive download links for these supplements.

Updates for the OM System OM-1 II have been issued.  You should have received an update if you bought from my website or registered your purchase.  Let me know if that didn't happen!

Next Time in Cameracraft Magazine

Here, I'll just show it to you.  Pretty great, right?

Support the kind of material you just won't find anywhere else by subscribing to Cameracraft Magazine (either digital or print version) today!  

First Thursday Gallery Walk

Periodic reminder: I'm an assistent administrator to a Facebook group called First Thursday Gallery Walk, where I regularly contribute art found in various places on the web (not just photography - just anything that evokes an emotional reaction in me).  If you're on Facebook come join our community and share your own finds!

Kenya Update

Have you ever wanted to go an exotic safari adventure?  How about one that's designed especially for the demanding needs of photographers??  

This November I'll be hosting 12 people on such an expedition.  Working in conjunction with GameWatchers Safaris (who's been doing this sort of thing for 30 years), we will transport you via jeep and airplane to three parks in Kenya when the light is good and the animals are active.  Of course I'll be there too; answering questions, giving brief lectures at night, and basically guiding you through getting the best pictures under whatever the circumstances may be.

You've already got great equipment... now you can give it something to do!

The dates are Nov. 8th through the 15th, 2024.  Only 12 people will be allowed, and 10 have already signed up.  Secure your spot now!!  More info at https://friedmanarchives.com/safari .

Don't miss this rare opportunity!

And another...

Another such trip is in the works for China in 2025.  Details are still being assembled but let me know if you'd like to be on a notification list!

Rescuing Out-of-Focus Images

Here's the shot I was referring to earlier that was slightly out-of-focus (hey, it happens!).  But the expression was just perfect, so I wanted to try to rescue it.

At 100% crop, you can see it's not in focus at all:  (Click on any image to view larger.)

Traditional tools like Photoshop's Unsharp Mask tool just didn't cut it:

What about new tools?  There's a new online "AI" tool (quotes intentional) called Remini that did a great job: 

And the obligatory 100% crop:

Yes, there's a hint of something artificial about it, but in two weeks I'm sure a competing tool will address that successfully.

We live in the future.

 

Until next time,

Yours Truly, Gary Friedman

Time to start booking fall portraits!!