For you techies, here is the set up to create this image:

So here’s my thought process for this image.  I wanted to show the buildings and sky in the background as well as show “me” and the products in the foreground.

I first metered for the light coming from the window in the background of the image so the buildings and sky would not get “blown out” (i.e. overexposed) in the final image.  Unfortunately, my light meter was in the “shop” so I had to use the meter in the camera body (not the best method but will do in a pinch).  Wanting to keep a good depth of field (i.e. a wider range of keeping “things” in focus), I set the aperture to f/8 and adjusted the shutter speed until my meter indicated the correct exposure (i.e. middle of the scale).

If I just stayed at this setting, everything in the foreground (including me) would be dark.  So the next part to consider was how to light the foreground.  A Nikon D200 was set up on the tripod and an SB900 Speedlight was placed on the light stand with a shoot through umbrella.  The set up image doesn’t show that the light and umbrella was actually placed higher just above my head pointing slightly downward.   Having the light set up “off camera”, I avoided glare off the products and placing the light slightly above me created a flattering shadow line (see below my chin).

Ta Da!  Let me know what you think!

In a previous post, I talked about playing with a directional light set ups using my camera flash units, Nikon SB-800’s.  The image above is using the Lastolite 15″ softbox + SB-800 on the subject and another SB-800 bouncing off an umbrella to light the Wells Fargo stage coach in the background.  ISO set at 100 and using my 85mm lens, my exposure was 1/50th sec at f/4.5.  I was so excited about the results that I placed an order for Lastolite’s 24″ Ezybox product.

To create my vision of an “ice cave”, I found some plastic bags and glittering threads lying around.  SB-800 speedlights were placed to reflect off the plastic bags and off to the side to light the floral design.  Keeping the ISO low at 100 allowed me to achieve a dramatic look by keeping the background dark and only pick up the light from the speedlights and the lighted subject.

To keep stretching our creativity, seek inspiration and try to apply it to your photography!

This slide show is from the November 11 dinners:

- Bergstrӧm Wines and Evening Land Vineyards at The Heathman Restaurant

- Sokol Blosser Winery at El Gaucho Portland

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is my fifth “adventure” in covering these Winemakers Dinners. With each event I get the pleasure of reconnecting with winemakers and chefs from previous events and meeting new and exciting talent!

I reconnected with the charismatic and always entertaining Josh Bergström and his beautiful wife, Caroline of Bergström Wines.  Making its debut is Evening Land Vineyards with their petite and enchanting winemaker, Isabelle Meunier.  Wines from both winemakers were paired beautifully with dishes artfully presented and created by Chef Andrew Biggs and his staff.  As I overheard one guest saying that one will never be disappointed when dining at The Heathman!  To view more images from this dinner, click the following link:  09 CWA-Heathman

My second stop brought me to my first visit to El Gaucho located at the base of The Benson Hotel.  El Gaucho does nothing but impress with impeccable customer service.  Maitre d’ Sherwood Dudley greets you with the warmest smile and handshake leaving you feeling like a long lost friend.  With a full house on a Wednesday evening, Chef Alex Parsons runs the kitchen like a Swiss watch – extreme precision.   This dinner took place in El Gaucho’s intimate Vintage Room, where their wine selection would make any vinophile drool like a kid in a candy store.  Alex Sokol Blosser was every bit as charming and gracious as his handsome demeanor.  To view images from this dinner, please click on this link: 09 CWA-El Gaucho

So why is this also categorized as “Techie Talk?”  I’ve been playing with setting up directional lighting to give dimension and interests to my images.  This is the first time using it in an “event” situation.  Usually these dinners take place in low light situations so this would be a perfect time to practice.  I have to say it was a little more challenging to move lighting as I moved to grab different angles, adjusting power levels from the various light sources on the fly, and adjusting settings on my camera.  I do like the way that they turned out and this was one of my favorites from this event that illustrates this “directional” lighting technique .

Ellen & Ruby

This is another good example of using ambient light from a window.

This image has a sense of peace.  You can hear the little girl thinking “everything is right with the world when I sit quietly, sucking my thumb with Ruby purring loud behind me.”

Hearing about all the turmoil in the world on the Nightly News makes me wish I could do this too.

Jackson

Whenever possible, my lighting choice is ambient light.  Windows are a great source.  When using digital capture, I meter my exposure on the lighted area – not the shadows.   The larger the difference in f-stops between the light and shadow areas will produce a dramatic lighting effect.  Jackson is fascinated with watching birds.  I patiently waited off to the side and then he looked up at me.  What a sweet little man.