Portrait Photography
Paul Malley • 26 July 2021
Portrait Shoot - Friday 23 July
A favourite aspect of my photography is Portrait work. I think it comes down to a 'person' confidence and ease in speaking with people, as well as having 'technical' confidence in the camera settings, lighting and equipment in use. During the Lockdown period, there has been little opportunity in improving my Portrait work: however, the recent easing of restrictions has allowed a return to this genre.
During the last few weeks, I had met a young lady who I thought would make a wonderful subject for enhancing my portfolio. In talking with her, she has done remarkably well in her own Film & Media studies at College and has her own genre enjoyment and prolific skill in taking photographs of music gigs and groups. It was a great coincidence which broke down some potential barriers between photographer and subject, in that she was at ease and relaxed at an early stage. I had broached the request for her to pose for a Portrait sitting and she agreed. Following on from this, we met shortly after, with her boyfriend over a social coffee, where again we relaxed and talked of location, timings, - I left the discussion of costume entirely to her, just saying it should be something she is entirely comfortable in. Once she was happy with my aspiration of the shoot, we set the date and time.
Prior to Friday 23rd July, we had almost 7 blistering days of heat, and I opted for a 8am start, so it wouldn't be too hot, and the option of backlighting on her long hair would offer some shots. My mind was buzzing with ideas. On the Friday, I awoke to drizzle on the bedroom window and a grey, overcast sky!!! - Oh well, at least I wouldn't have many issues with bright, contrasty shadows...
We all arrived in the space of 5mins and the outfit she wore was perfect to match the surroundings at the end of Hubbard's Hills. The onus was now on me to manage the shoot. Thankfully, with her studies in Film & Media, direction on my part was easily received and confidently acted upon. Effective, two-way communication is vital during a shoot, as is feedback and encouragement. I used flash, setting the variable power setting to balance the daylight. I sought to reduce the background by -1/2 a stop in camera, whilst setting the flash to +1/3, thereby allowing my subject to 'pop' or stand out slightly from the background. ISO 200 was set, with the 24-70mm 2.8L EF lens set at 70mm for a pleasing perspective.
It was a joy to work with my subject, a lovely 2hrs with her and her partner. I was delighted with the images shown on the screen; they required very little post production work, other than a tweak with the magenta balance (in RAW), an expected consequence of the large green overhang influence. Sharpening was set at 45% and 0.8pix rad.
The following morning, I had converted the images to jpeg and saved them on a memory stick as promised for her. I also had 2 images (see attached) printed at 12"x8" and these were handed over as a 'Thank You'.
I feel that the Portrait mojo has returned again!
Huge 'Thanks' to A for your time, agreement and wonderful personality, as well as the use of these images.
A favourite aspect of my photography is Portrait work. I think it comes down to a 'person' confidence and ease in speaking with people, as well as having 'technical' confidence in the camera settings, lighting and equipment in use. During the Lockdown period, there has been little opportunity in improving my Portrait work: however, the recent easing of restrictions has allowed a return to this genre.
During the last few weeks, I had met a young lady who I thought would make a wonderful subject for enhancing my portfolio. In talking with her, she has done remarkably well in her own Film & Media studies at College and has her own genre enjoyment and prolific skill in taking photographs of music gigs and groups. It was a great coincidence which broke down some potential barriers between photographer and subject, in that she was at ease and relaxed at an early stage. I had broached the request for her to pose for a Portrait sitting and she agreed. Following on from this, we met shortly after, with her boyfriend over a social coffee, where again we relaxed and talked of location, timings, - I left the discussion of costume entirely to her, just saying it should be something she is entirely comfortable in. Once she was happy with my aspiration of the shoot, we set the date and time.
Prior to Friday 23rd July, we had almost 7 blistering days of heat, and I opted for a 8am start, so it wouldn't be too hot, and the option of backlighting on her long hair would offer some shots. My mind was buzzing with ideas. On the Friday, I awoke to drizzle on the bedroom window and a grey, overcast sky!!! - Oh well, at least I wouldn't have many issues with bright, contrasty shadows...
We all arrived in the space of 5mins and the outfit she wore was perfect to match the surroundings at the end of Hubbard's Hills. The onus was now on me to manage the shoot. Thankfully, with her studies in Film & Media, direction on my part was easily received and confidently acted upon. Effective, two-way communication is vital during a shoot, as is feedback and encouragement. I used flash, setting the variable power setting to balance the daylight. I sought to reduce the background by -1/2 a stop in camera, whilst setting the flash to +1/3, thereby allowing my subject to 'pop' or stand out slightly from the background. ISO 200 was set, with the 24-70mm 2.8L EF lens set at 70mm for a pleasing perspective.
It was a joy to work with my subject, a lovely 2hrs with her and her partner. I was delighted with the images shown on the screen; they required very little post production work, other than a tweak with the magenta balance (in RAW), an expected consequence of the large green overhang influence. Sharpening was set at 45% and 0.8pix rad.
The following morning, I had converted the images to jpeg and saved them on a memory stick as promised for her. I also had 2 images (see attached) printed at 12"x8" and these were handed over as a 'Thank You'.
I feel that the Portrait mojo has returned again!
Huge 'Thanks' to A for your time, agreement and wonderful personality, as well as the use of these images.
Portrait
Photo By: Paul Malley
Portrait
Photo By: Paul Malley
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All Last week at the club members had 15 minutes to show what they had done over the summer. It was a very interesting evening with eight members taking part. There were many locations on show and as usual some excellent photography. There is a full report on our blog. This week, Wednesday 16th September, we will be showing the N&EMPF exhibition, this is part one showing all the PDI's that were accepted. This is the highest standard of photography we as individuals take part in as a club. Members sent around 50 entries but only 3 were accepted. If you are inspired to enter the 2027 Exhibition after seeing the show, I send the clubs entries and I can give you more information. Closing date is the end of September. The Maximum size for N&EMPF is 1600 x 1200 3MB sRGB Harry is still taking entries for the monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry did ask about what can be accepted, and we couldn't really say as long as it's an object in the Air. The best way is to look up the definition of an object first. Harry is also accepting entries for the Local and Open competition in October. Robin is going to judge the Open competition, does anyone fancy judging the "Straight from the camera" category? Regards Graham
The Louth Photographic Society has returned after the summer break. It was an incredible return, with members providing us with some stunning images from over the summer break. A full, and varied smorgasbord of well executed photos, many of us visited Whitby, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and further north images from Staithes, and Sandbanks. Tony showed us his long exposure minimalist calming coastal scenes, from the Lincolnshire coast, and Whitby.. Chris brought us some beautiful photos taken of local churches, many of which many of us have never seen. Now I’ve never really seen the attraction of an expensive Leica camera, but when Mark showed his photos from his visit to the German Leica factory in Wetzlar, I now understand, camera bodies, and lenses milled from solid blocks of aluminium, hand polished, hand finished lens glass, and textured leather applied to the camera body, not a robot in sight, just craftsmen, and women making a superb photographic instrument. Sue brought us “pink” ladies driving tractors to raise money for cancer research. Last but definitely not least Richard showed his monochrome, and infrared images of trees, his compositions, and photographic eye bring these tree studies to life, we appreciate them even if some judges don’t understand. Many thanks to all of those members who contributed.
Good Morning All We spent last week on the Isle of Wight visiting many of the attractions. This week, Wednesday 9th September, we are back at the club with 15-minute PDI shows of what you did during the summer break, I have Derek Smith, Tony Gaskins, Harry Kerman, Chris Birchmore and Richard Hildred on the list, if I have missed you off, please let me know. I should be there but could be late as away playing golf. Harry is taking entries for the September PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry will miss the October local competition but will sort the entries out for us, The competition categories will be "Local-Not Edited" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so could do with two volunteers to judge. The local competition is a .jpeg photograph taken and straight from the camera, no cropping, or post processing etc, like the old days taken no more than 25 miles from St James church. Regards Graham
On Bank Holiday Monday I visited the Props, and Pistons Event at the East Kirkby Aviation centre. The event was well attended, with a good selection of various vehicles on display. The Avro Lancaster “Just Jane” was on display and did a couple of taxiing runs, so great to hear the Rolls Royce Merlin engines roar into life, also taxiing was the DeHavilland Mosquito aircraft, the “wooden wonder”. The first flypast was from the Hawker Hurricane, and the Supermarine Spitfire, I didn’t manage to capture any acceptable photos of these iconic aircraft, as they were too small and fast for me. Later in the afternoon the second flypast aircraft was the American Martin B26 Marauder, as this was larger, and slower I did manage to take some photos as it flew overhead. The weather was kind, and I had a very enjoyable day out.
Good Morning All I was having my lunchbreak on the Wolds last week and spotted this tree in a field next to me, it does give the impression it's looking at you. I hope you're all enjoying the summer break, time does fly by and it's time to get ready for returning to the club on the 9th of September. We start with mini lecture, 15 minutes on what you have been doing over the summer. If you want to take part, please email me and we will see how many we have. The September PDI competition is coming up as well on the 23 rd of September, Objects in the air and open, Harry will now start taking your entries, three entries in each subject with an (R) after one of them to be removed if there are too many entries. Derek sent the N&EMPF Exhibition entry forms out; I will again act as organiser for our club. The standard is very high so it's one for your best PDI's. We will view some last year's PDI's that made the grade on the 16 th of September. Regards Graham
NELPS organised an outing to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, there was some confusion with opening times, and a few of us arrived to find the gates closed, we went for a coffee!! Once inside and parked up we were welcomed by the volunteer staff, and began to take some photos around the site. A Grimsby trolleybus was running this morning, this bus had been painstakingly restored from a bare chassis, with great attention to detail, even down to sourcing the original moquette fabric to upholster the seats, it was great to be able to ride in a trolleybus again. Trolleybuses have a particular nostalgic memory for me, I lived in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London, and the 607 trolleybus route ran past the end of my road, with a usual frequency of 5 minute intervals the buses were a common sight gliding along the main road. The 607 route was one of the longest in the country 11 miles to Shepherds Bush, taking about an hour for the journey. The trolleybus was whisper quiet, comfortable, and pollution free, and I took several trips on these. In comparison the conventional London bus the “RT” was not as quiet for longer journeys. The London trolleybuses, and eventually the London “RT” buses, were replaced with the iconic diesel fuelled Routemaster “RM” bus. I had an enjoyable visit, and many thanks to NELPS for organising the outing.
When we see a photograph what do we actually see? Does the image grab our attention? Does the image tell a story, or do we have to fill in the blanks with our own memories, and experiences? If we see a complete picture, or just a detail, which stirs our emotions most? At a recent competition a print was shown of fishing boats pulled up on the beach at North Landing, Flamborough, it was an excellent print, but the judge remarked “it’s just boats on a beach”. Do we feel the same emotion with a “normal” view, or do we want more, a storm raging, or fishermen launching the boats? Anyway, here are a few of my “abnormal” photos, first up a rusted bolt, you see I ask “who put that there?”, “what did it once hold?” Second, a vehicle excise disc, surely that stirs memories? Thirdly, a stone carved column, who carved the details? Was it shaped according to an architect’s brief, or a stone masons pattern? What emotions were felt by the stone mason? Lastly, a door handle. Where does this lead? How old is it, and how many hands have opened this door? Finally, I think that I’ve got my “mojo” back, I’ve been out more with my camera, and enjoying the experience, and surely that’s what photography is all about, the joy of capturing an image that pleases me.
The Exhibition will be in place from 10th - 29th September 2026
I was scrolling through the archives yesterday, and found these "Still Life" images. Still Life is an interesting photographic genre that requires good lighting, and compositional skills, but the results can be amazing. Here are four images of the genre, "Breakfast" showing cereal falling into a bowl, "Four Candles" (no not the ones from the Two Ronnies sketch), the moody "Decaying Tulip", and the simple but effective monochrome "Opener". Perhaps these images might give you some inspiration.
I joined the NELPS outing at Chambers Farm Woods on Wednesday. The NELPS visit to Chamber Farm wood and butterfly garden was well attended, with several members from NELPS, Grimsby, Dunholme and Louth, kind thanks to all that came, although it was very hot the butterfly garden, being rather full and slightly unkept did not let us down with butterflies, two less common were seen, a Comma butterfly and a humming bird moth, with loads of very lively common blue butterflies. Most of the insects in the butterfly garden were highly active, and by the time an insect was spotted, it was off!! I managed to just about get an image of the Comma butterfly, and nobody stood a chance with the humming bird moth, it was too fast. The dragonfly was more accommodating remaining fairly still posing for us. The next NELPS outing will be to the Peoples Park in Grimsby on Wednesday 19th, I'm busy on that day, but I will be attending the meeting at the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum on Wednesday 26th. Many thanks to NELPS for organising these outings, it was a thoroughly pleasurable morning.
