The Anatomy of a Photo Session

I recently had to photograph the contestants of a local ethnic pageant.  We always to it on location and usually at the same location.  At least this time I could specify what time I wanted to start.  First year was in the AM, last year it was at high noon (wonderful... NOT!).  This year we targeted 1:30 pm.  Not ideal but workable.  There was a strong breeze and I went walking around the area scouting for a spot to do the photographs.  Thought I found a spot until the director finally showed up and said she wanted a RED background (how about telling me that ahead of time?).  Found a spot that was acceptable to her.

Next step is to "find the light."  We had two big sources - the sky from two different angles.

 

Subject position is where the girl in the white is standing.  Big source of light to her right.

 

Second source of light.  Photographer's position is where the paparazzi is standing.  Big overhang above to block the light coming from the sky above.

I needed a reflector (I use a 5x7 reflector) to kick in light so I won't have to retouch the faces as much since the light is flatter.  Notice the red columns behind the subject.  That ended up as the "red background."  It's the reason I use a long focal length lens. The photographer has his pop up flash activated, the portrait below had no flash going off.

 

Position of reflector making a very flat lighting situation.

Image is not retouched

Retouched image

1/250 sec, f3.5, ISO 200, Canon 70-200 IS f2.8 L set to 120mm, Canon 70D camera body