Brittni on location, Yorktown

Brittni on location in Yorktown!

We arrived at the shoot with 2 Alien Bee's lights (AB1600 alien green version and the AB800 black version), a Vagabond mini power pack, one 10ft. all purpose light stand, a softbox, a set of grid spots, and the Paul C Buff cyber commander and receiver set up...I decided to use the AB1600, but the AB800 would have been just as good for this particular shoot. If I have the choice, I always like to bring the AB1600 in case I need the extra power, the only drawback to that is, when you use a high output of power, you run your vagabond mini battery pack dead a lot faster.

I positioned the AB1600 front left, roughly 45 degrees, and attached a large softbox, and fired away. I post processed first with photoshop using some actions, specifically kubota image tools "daily multi vitamin" from Kubota Artistic Tools V2, I might have even given these the multi-vitamin twice. I then used "edge burner" from kubota, and I usually do that two or three times as well. I save the image into a "working" folder, and then load into lightroom. I really like the pre-set "aged" look, so I gave it that, and just messed with the exposure slider until I had it to my liking. I think put the image back into photoshop for a kubota image tools sloppy border, and presto!

I know this is a "no no" in photography and unconventional, but I really dig the "looking up" angles. It actually works really well on some people, and not so well on others, but with Brittni I think it worked.

I just love this wall/texture/color in the background, I've used this same spot for some engagement photos which I may post sometime soon.

I really like the look in her eyes on this one, the far off gaze makes it an interesting shot!

This particular shot was done with a 40 degree grid spot, front left, and a 250 shudder speed to blacken/darken the background, this was actually shot up against the same wall in the above pictures. I just moved the model a little closer to the light when I attached the grid spot and brought her off the wall by a few feet in order to darken the wall/background.

I positioned the AB1600 behind Brittni, and attached the grid spot for effect

This is actually a working windmill that we stumbled across, it must be new because I've never seen it out there before (Yorktown, Virginia). This is a prime example of "location scouting". Location scouting is very important. Before you do a shoot, its great to drive around and check out different locations and spots and come up with a plan, as opposed to just carrying a bunch of lights and walking around trying to find different places to shoot at. This was an AB1600 front right, bare bulb with attached standard silver reflector that comes with the AB1600. I was able to change my shutter speed to a faster shutter to get a really cool color of sky blue.

I just wanted to try something different so I ran these through the antique look in the Lightroom pre-sets, I really liked the sky.

This is the setup with the grid spot on the AB1600 and you can see the vagabond mini on the ground which the light is plugging into. What you see hanging is the CSRB+ receiver. Notice the texture and color of the wall.

Another setup shot

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This is the setup at the windmill location

While we were set up at the location, the gentleman that runs the place (I'm assuming he's the curator) told us we were on private property. This property is owned by the Watermans Museum. He said it's ok to have photo shoots there, he just wants us to call or stop by first. He then told us about a previous photoshoot there in which a Victorias Secret model was used, and he was able to watch her in some nude and half nude shots, which he was really excited and happy about. He let us into the windmill and showed us the architecture and engineering marvels, and he spun the contraption around a few times to show us that its working. All in all, it made for a fun day, can't wait to go back to this location. (Yorktown Beach, Yorktown, Virginia , beside Watermans Museum under the Coleman Bridge)