Black on Black can be fun with the right tools

This shot was taken with a Canon 5D Mark II using a 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens in manual exposure (M) set to f/4.0, 1/125 sec, and ISO 800. I used a Canon 580 EX II Flash with a Ray Flash ring light with the flash set to an exposure compensation of +1. Thanks to the Ray Flash I was able to separate the model’s black hair and shirt from the black background  as well as creating a the cool halo effect that ring flashes provide. The hair and skin look awesome to me.

I processed this photo using Nik Software’s Dfine, Color Efex and Sharpener Pro (click here for a great deal until 12/31/09).

While I’ve never been a big fan of the ring light or its effect, I must say that I love this shot and consider it one of my personal favorites for 2009! What a great way to end the year!

A great prop can make the ordinary more interesting

I love the color red in photographs, so if there’s a chance to use it then I’m all over it. This model was working with me last night on a shoot and I offered to take a portrait for her to use on Facebook as a token of my appreciation for her time. It was going to be just a simple shot, but when I saw the red hat she had in her bag I knew I wanted it to be in the shot so I asked if she would keep it on (she initially didn’t want to wear it). While there’s nothing special about this shot from a composition standpoint, it is a great portrait that I think is made even better thanks to the splash of color added by the hat.

I shot this portrait using a Canon 5D Mark II and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens at f/9 and 1/200 sec at ISO 100. I was using two Canon 580EX II’s shot wirelessly with a Canon ST-E2 wireless trigger (via a package like this) shot through two Westcott 43" Optical White Satin Collapsible Umbrella's in a clamshell style configuration (which I first learned about in Joe McNally’s book  The Moment it Clicks).