Swimmer Portraits - Dramatic Lighting Shoot

-
I had this shot in my head for weeks. Finally I had ten minutes to shoot it and I was extremely happy with the results. Firstly, I started out with my non-swimmer to test lighting and angles. I used two 1600 Alien Bees with strip modifiers. The subject was placed in exactly the right position to let enough light define both edges w little or no definition through the middle. Then when my real swimmer was around, I shot him. I am excited about marketing these images in my upcoming material.

This is my test subject...



Here is my real swimmer!

Comments

Post a Comment

Don't Miss A Thing...

* indicates required

Previous Posts

Walking Sydney - Chowder Bay to Middle Head

-
Image
Not just a walk with panoramic views of the harbour, this is also a fabulous step back into Sydney history.  View toward North Head The fortifications began in the 19th Century and were modified over the years and include a series of tunnels that connect the entire area. Fascinating but scary to think that we needed such protection. One of the many tunnels that connect this entire fortress The guns have been removed but you get the idea. There was no way anyone would get through Sydney Harbour. As the Japanese were to find out in 1942 during WWII . Getting There  We parked the car in a free 2 hour spot at Georges Head , which is just above Chowder Bay On Middle Head Road, Mosman. Then followed the signs to Middle Head. Some parts aren't as well signed so you'll have to follow the map, one wrong turn and you could end up at the Nudist Beach! You will walk through the abandoned military quarters and come to this little group of cottages on Old Fo...
Read more

Pet Photography - Product Photography

-
Image
I am well aware of the old adage, never work with children or pets but I find the challenge they present, half the fun! What's a little Hedgehog poop among friends... Puppies are like children in that they grow up so fast. Their features and expressions alter as they mature. As with children, I recommend that you take as many images as possible to record this evolution. The pet can be a little nervous on set at first so a little coercion helps. After the pet has a little sniff around, I give them a tasty treat. Once I get a few photo's on the card, I give them another treat and a break. They end up quite enjoying the experience. In fact sometimes, they do not want to leave! Combining pets with product photography provides an extra challenge. The brain child of my friend, Alina, we approached this shoot with juxtaposition in mind - Mary K's "Satin Hands" against the grainy skin of the Bearded Dragon and the wiry spines of a Hedgehog against Re...
Read more

How To Setup a Remote Triggered Photo Booth

-
Image
These are the most fun shoots! Even better than an actual booth because you get to use awesome equipment and hang out with fun people! To setup my Photo Booth, I used the following gear: Canon 1D X ProFoto B1 Octabox with grid 3 x Pocket Wizard Plus II's 1  x Flash Sync Cable 1 x Remote cable Lightstand Tripod 32GB Memory Card 1. LIGHTS - I setup my light or lights, depending on the scope of the backdrop and the look I am going for. I have previously used my Alien Bee Strobes and more recently, Profoto B1's. You could probably use Speedlites too. I've just never found them reliable or battery efficient besides, the quality of light from the Profoto or even the Bees, is infinitely better. Besides which, you would need two to get the job done nicely. 2. TRIPOD - I setup my camera onto a Tripod. A good sturdy tripod is useful, especially if there is going to be alcohol at the venue! 3. POCKET WIZARDS - I hook up my remote flash/camera tri...
Read more

Business Portrait - QueenBee

-
Image
Sharon is the owner of the highly successful maternity wear business, QueenBee . Based here in Sydney with over 10 staff, Australian Businesswomen's Network  (ABN) set out writing an article on her successes and needed a photo to go with it, so Sharon sought my services. Sharon opted for the Premium Business Shoot which included a makeup and hair artist, several clothing, hairstyle and background changes. Firstly, we shot inside the studio with my strobe lights where I opted for my double diffused Octabox. For the more casual requirement made by the ABN, we shot with window light in the studio's viewing area and then outside with diffused natural lighting. It was a terrific session and now Sharon has a great mix of images that will not only suit the requirements of the ABN but a wealth of images for her own websites, blogs and professional sites such as LinkedIn.
Read more

Zombie Meets Indulgent Sufferers - My recent stay in hospital.

-
Image
I arrived at the Emergency Room, wrapped in my toasty blanket. Despite it being 28° outside of my furry throw rug, it was closer to 40°C inside my body, so it felt freezing to me. I slowly moved through the doors like the walking dead emerging from a post-apocalyptic horror scene. The admin nurse took one look at me and bade me sit in the red priority chairs, whilst I waited for my triage nurse to finish her tea. I lowered myself tentatively and, unable to remain upright, lay shivering across all three chairs. The nurse arrived abruptly and suggested emphatically, before she had examined me, that I had Rhinovirus.  I explained to her that, as Rhino = nose and my nasal passages were decidedly clear and my brain decidedly lucid that I begged to differ. She replied, “What do you mean by lucid?”  I pretended that the roll of my eyes was due to the fever and briefly explained lucidity as the opposite of brain fog, then went on to relay my actual symptoms. Above-normal temperature, ...
Read more

Walking Sydney - City to St Leonards

-
Image
Sean giving us instructions I joined this meetup group some time ago but haven't managed a walk until now. I am so pleased that I finally did. We met in Lang Park in York Street. Our fearless leader, Sean handed us each a map and a few tips and suggestions for staying safe and then we were on our way. Our First Stop at Observatory Hill Setting a pretty fast pace, we headed to Observatory Hill where we quickly stopped to regroup then walked over the Bridge to Kirribilli. There is a water fountain here, so a good spot to refill our water bottles. Here is my map. The part to The Bridge is a little dodgy because of the GPS (I forgot to turn it on..doh!) but the rest is good. You can get to the Bridge numerous ways in any case.  Walking across Sydney Harbour Bridge Kirribilli looking back toward the City Sean waiting for us at Luna Park Lavender Bay or Quiberee Lavender Bay or Quiberee Waverton Oval looking toward McMahons Point Waver...
Read more

Swim Portraits - Speedo Fun!

-
Image
We spend so much time at the pool, it was finally good to be in the studio again, even if it was for a swim portrait! These photos are for Brandon's athlete Facebook page which will one day soon be used to help gain swim sponsorship's. For me, it's good practice for when the big guys, Speedo or Engine come knocking on my door...wish me luck!
Read more

Newborn Portrait Session

-
Image
This week I had the pleasure of photographing newly born, Cecilia. Though just over one week of age Ceci, (named so by her family) has all the being of a much older baby. She is alert, attentive and full of energy, which is unusual in a newbie. I am certain that she was even having a conversation with us at one time! I had the sets, lighting and exposures all ready for a smooth shoot. For this I used my American Girl Doll as a stand-in. I started with this white, cloud-like setting for which the tutu was perfect. I used a two light set-up with a large Octabox for softness. Ceci looks as though she is an angel floating down from above. Then I moved on to the more dramatic black background for dad to hold his daughter for size comparison though as you can see, Ceci is not a small baby! I have dozens more ideas so look for more images in the future.
Read more

Keywords The Key To Top Rated Google Searches - Top Lawyer LinkedIn Profile Photo Session

-
Image
The Red background stands out as a LinkedIn Profile Photo This nice clean image will feature on the front page of the website. The smart and lovely Family Lawyer Anjli, was my subject for this session. Anjli needed some headshots for her LinkedIn profile as well as her website for her firm, Western Sydney Legal Practice. As we needed images for a variety of purposes, we shot on different coloured backgrounds and changed outfits a few times.  Anjli ended up using the red for the LinkedIn which I just love. Scrolling down all of the LinkedIn profiles, she definitely makes an impression! As search engines are unable to read images, it is important to load them with keywords and alt tags so that you can be found. It also increases ratings in  Google searches. So we loaded Anjli's images for her LinkedIn and Website with relevant keywords including services they provide and location information. This is a service that we provide at no extra charge, so ju...
Read more

Beautiful Teen Girl Portraits and Family Portrait In The Studio

-
Image
Before Makeup and Hair These sessions are a favourite because the Teens transform in front of your eyes.  It's not just about the hair and makeup. I get guys in the studio too. It's because they have the freedom to express themselves for who they are and we have a lot of fun.  For this shoot, we did have hair and makeup by the amazing MJ Park . We also added a Family Portrait session in at the end. After makeup and hair You can see more of the shoot here. Nina Beilby is a professional photographer based in Chatswood, Sydney, Australia. You can see more of her work at  www.ninabeilby.com.au .  Social Media:   Facebook  |   Twitter    |   LinkedIn   |   Instagram Thanks for visiting!
Read more