This is just a quick behind the scenes look at a shot from a recent makeup and hair test shoot.

The shoot was to feature the lovely Megan with hair extensions and we discussed adding flowers and leaves to her hair to give the shot a jungle flavor.

Since I don’t have any real jungles nearby the decision was made to drop in a digital background. After some searching through my background file library (yes – I maintain a catalog of about 3,000 images that I think might be suitable for drop in backgrounds) I came up with a big ZERO. NADA!

So the next plan of attack was a quick search on iStockPhoto and for appx: $5.00 a suitable jungle background in hi-res was now sitting on my laptop in the studio, eagerly awaiting my jungle girl’s arrival on the set.

I decided in advance that I would blur the background considerable and used the Bokeh plug-in from Alien Skin to not only blur the background image but also to boost the highlights to create a more dramatic effect.

Next came the easy part for me … Megan did her own makeup for this shoot and Philly based hair stylist Jackie Kellie added the extensions and styled the hair. So with all the tough stuff done – I simply placed Megan in front of a green background (to make the masking bit easier) and lit her with two medium sized softboxes placed at equal distances on either side and slightly in front of her.

Once Megan got over her sneeze attack… (watch the video below) she gave me a great jungle girl attitude and the job was done. 10 minutes of shooting time.

Disclaimer: I have not received free merchandise, payment or consideration of any kind from any manufacturer or brand name listed in this post. In fact I wish they would all lower their prices or offer to sponsor me and send me free stuff! I will be sure to to tell you if they do.

Related Posts:

• New Model Megan – Portfolio Shoot and Video
• Behind the Scenes at a Makeup Test Shoot
• New Beauty Images From a Recent Makeup Test
• The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?
• New Video for Meeting of the Masters June 3rd – 5th
• One Light Wonders #1

Chase has not only proven the point beyond a shadow of a doubt, but he has published a book and created an international web community of shooters dedicated to creating art with an iPhone.

I recently received my brand new iPhone4 from Apple and eagerly set about testing out the new 5 Megapixel Camera and 720p HD video camera.

I guess I am showing my age, but indeed I am still fascinated this this little thing that fits in my pocket and allows me to talk to people anywhere in the world with no wires is capable of shooting such high quality images.

This camera… I mean phone… has a 5 megapixel camera that captures incredible detail, a built in LED flash that does amazingly well even at very close range (also doubles as a very bright flashlight – there’s an app for that!) and a 5X digital zoom.

What makes the camera WAY COOL in my opinion is an often overlooked feature.  You can control where the camera focuses just by touching the screen.  That isn’t the cool part.  The cool part is that wherever you select for the camera to focus – it will also adjust exposure and color balance based on that selection.  Think of the possibilities!

Here are two videos that I shot the first weekend I had the iPhone4.  Both the videos and stills are shot with the phone and the videos were uploaded and created via the Animoto iPhone App.  This was all done while on location for a three day photography conference and no computers were involved or harmed in the making of these videos.

Check them out and be sure to check back…  I am going to create an iPhone image gallery and will update it regularly.

Stills shot with an iPhone4

Related Posts:

• A Little Jungle Lighting Fun
• New Video for Meeting of the Masters June 3rd -- 5th
• Who says white has to be boring?
• New Video -- Model Sunnie
• Shoot People? There’s an APP for That!
• New Model Megan – Finished Modeling Portfolio

Come on… you know how it is today – I have an app – therefore I am. Simple <grin>

Read the description from iTunes:

If you are serious about modeling and/or photography then this FREE and informative app was made for you. Award winning and nationally renowned photographer Joe Edelman gives you instant access to tons of information created especially for aspiring models and photographers who want to improve their shooting skills.

Carry Joe’s incredible beauty and fantasy images right on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Each day a new image is featured from Joe’s portfolio. Be sure to check back often – it may be a photo of you!

With just one touch you can see what’s happening with Joe on his blog and web site. This helpful app even gives you one touch instant access to book studio appointments and contact Joe Edelman by phone, email, Facebook, Twitter and more.

For models and photographers, the News section will bring you new and exciting information, articles and instructional tips to help you improve your work and your ability to market yourself in this competitive economy.

The unique ‘For You’ technology automatically brings you individualized images and image galleries developed specifically ‘For You’ and your interests.

If you have an iPhone you can download the I Shoot People! App for FREE by clicking here

Please help out – download the app and be sure to give me a 5 star rating!

The app was developed by ProPhotoApps in Wisconsin. Developed by Tim Vertz and his partner Jason Kelley, this app was originally designed for portrait photography studios but allows for simple customization which makes it work for businesses like mine.

The ProPhotoApp is a very affordable entry level solution into the app world for just $299.00 for the first year and $99.00 per year after. The app comes with an online management tool that allows you to make real time updates to the app and also allows for customization of content to be delivered to groups of users or even single users.

For price and ease of set-up (less than 1 hour for me) – I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

For customization I give it 3 out of 5 stars but I have spoken with Tim personally and he promises even more ability to customize the app within the next three months.

For Customer Service I give them 5 out of 5 stars. Tim is very quick to respond to email and phone calls.

So check it out! Tell them Joe sent you.

Disclaimer: I have not received free merchandise, payment or consideration of any kind from any manufacturer or brand name listed in this post. In fact I wish they would all lower their prices or offer to sponsor me and send me free stuff! I will be sure to to tell you if they do.

Related Posts:

• The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?
• One Light Wonders #1
• How many frames does it take to get a great flawed expression?
• Meeting of the Masters – June 3-5, 2010 Denver, CO
• Maxim Hometown Hotties 2010
• What is a makeup test shoot anyway?

Truth is that sometimes less is MUCH better. You know… the “KISS it” plan… “Keep It Simple Stupid.”

This post will be the first in a series of One Light Wonders posts that will deal with making creative images using only one light and occasionally a reflector for a little light modification.

As always – I will post diagrams and equipment descriptions.

This One Light Wonder pair is from a recent shoot with a new model, Inna, from NYC. Hair, Makeup and Styling is provided by Natalia Egorova, NYC.

Related Posts:

• Who says white has to be boring?
• New Beauty Images From a Recent Makeup Test
• A Little Jungle Lighting Fun
• How many frames does it take to get a great flawed expression?
• New Model Megan – Portfolio Shoot and Video
• Behind the Scenes at a Makeup Test Shoot

The image that started it all...

Don’t get me wrong – there is a very good reason for standardization in modeling portfolios. This is something that is not understood by many agencies and most photographers today, but we will save that discussion for another blog post.

Two years ago I built a studio in my home and created a “white room” if you will at one end of the studio (2 white walls, white floor and low white ceiling) After I set up the new space and started using it I remembered how much I hated white backgrounds. Fortunately instead of painting over the white, I procrastinated and just worked around it.

Finally about 8 months ago – I decided to do a back lit, window light type shot on the white background. Not only did I fall in love with the shot, but I had a creative epiphany at the same time.

My photographs are generally not voyeuristic. My images are the result of an interaction between myself and my model and I seek to allow the viewer of the image to share in that relationship. I had written off white because I found it boring. I did because I overlooked two of the most important elements in all of my photographs – eyes and expression.

This brought me to the realization that for years now while bright, bold primary colors had become my trademark, they had also become somewhat of a crutch. I also realized that while my images were all about eyes and expression I was forcing a third element into my image as if it had equal importance – the color.

I pride myself in my ability to use and manipulate light but at this moment I became aware that sometimes the best solution is not to manipulate it at all but to dig deep into the shadows and explore what light lurks there.

What I have found as I have used and abused this lighting concept over the last few months is that the white background when used properly provides a purity that is unparallel in scenic, textured or bright colored backdrops. When the pose is right and the eyes and expressions come together the result is exquisite.

I hope you will agree. I have posted a gallery of images below and will add a new blog post later this week with the technical details.

In the meanwhile – try it out – let me know what you think.

«« Click images to enlarge »»

Related Posts:

• One Light Wonders #1
• How many frames does it take to get a great flawed expression?
• New Model Megan – Portfolio Shoot and Video
• New Beauty Images From a Recent Makeup Test
• A Little Jungle Lighting Fun
• The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?

Model: Tabitha Rubin – Jersey City, NJ
Makeup & Hair: Morgan Chalfant – Philadelphia, PA

This group of images is from a recent makeup test shoot that I did with the multi-talented Philadelphia based Morgan Chalfant. Our model was the beautiful Tabitha Rubin of Jersey City, NJ.

As promised, I have included lighting diagrams and behind the scenes images where available.

The shots are presented here in the order that we did them so that you can also see how we transitioned to shoot 7 completely different hair and makeup looks in 6 hours.

This is a day that requires a lot of planning, a lot of creativity and a lot of collaboration. The goal was to showcase Morgan’s ability to create many looks with one subject, ranging from a clean commercial look to an over the top fluorescent color scheme.

In this case, Morgan arrived with the concepts and props/outfit pieces. All were ideas that she would like to add to her portfolio.

My job was the easy one, simply create a lighting scheme and find a camera angle that would highlight Morgan’s efforts and of course it was up to Tabitha to bring each of the characters to life.

«« Click images to enlarge »»
Backlit – Photogenic 1250DR with a floor to ceiling diffusion panel and white walls. Two evenly placed reflectors near the camera allowed me to expose for the face and the background was allowed to blow out.

«« Click images to enlarge »»
Clam shell Lighting – AlienBee 22″ Beauty Dish on Top and AlienBee Ring Flash under a Photoflex Diffuser on the bottom. The hair is rim lit with two AlienBee B400′s and purple gels and the black background also has an AlienBee B800 with a purple gel aimed at it.

«« Click images to enlarge »»
Sidelit – Photogenic 1250DR a with floor to ceiling diffusion panel and white walls.

«« Click images to enlarge »»
Backlit – Photogenic 1250DR with a floor to ceiling diffusion panel and white walls. Two evenly place reflectors near the camera allowed me to expose for the face and the background was allowed to blow out.

«« Click images to enlarge »»
Ring Lighting – A Nikon SB900 with the Ray Flash Adapter was used for both of these shots. The first shot had the model posed directly in front of the background and the ring flash creates the rim shadow. Blue rim lights on either side of the model added to the effect. The second shot was done with a 50mm lens at close range and the white background was lit separately.

«« Click images to enlarge »»
DIY Fluorescent Lighting – My homemade rig with the main fluorescent lights in front of the model and two single strips on either side of her head for some subtle accenting on the jaws and cheeks. The vackground color was created in Photoshop with a hue and saturation adjustment on the gray background.

Disclaimer: I have not received free merchandise, payment or consideration of any kind from any manufacturer or brand name listed in this post. In fact I wish they would all lower their prices or offer to sponsor me and send me free stuff! I will be sure to to tell you if they do.

Related Posts:

• New Beauty Images From a Recent Makeup Test
• A Little Jungle Lighting Fun
• New Model Megan – Portfolio Shoot and Video
• One Light Wonders #1
• Who says white has to be boring?
• The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?

Model: Gretchen Funk –Manheim, PA
Makeup: Carmina Christina – Harrisburg, PA
Hair: Nicole Raptapolus – Harrisburg, PA

	«« Click images to enlarge »»
Clam shell Lighting – AlienBee 22″ Beauty Dish on Top and AlienBee Ring Flash under a Photoflex Diffuser on the bottom. The hair is backlit with an AlienBee B400 and turquoise gel and the black background also has an AlienBee B800 with a turquoise gel aimed at it.

	«« Click images to enlarge »»
Backlit – Photogenic 1250DR and white walls. Exposed for the face and the background was allowed to blow out.

	«« Click images to enlarge »»
Backlit – Photogenic 1250DR and white walls. Exposed for the face and the background was allowed to blow out.

Disclaimer: I have not received free merchandise, payment or consideration of any kind from any manufacturer or brand name listed in this post. In fact I wish they would all lower their prices or offer to sponsor me and send me free stuff! I will be sure to to tell you if they do.

Related Posts:

• Behind the Scenes at a Makeup Test Shoot
• A Little Jungle Lighting Fun
• One Light Wonders #1
• Who says white has to be boring?
• New Model Megan – Portfolio Shoot and Video
• New Video – Model Sunnie

Every now and then even the best planning efforts fall short and either the image fails or if we are really lucky the Photoshop gods intervene and give us a happy accident.

This is one of those images.

My model, Jen Hobbs of New Jersey (watch for her in next year’s M. Night Shyamalan film:  The Last Airbender. She has a credited role) brought this outfit along on a recent shoot to update her portfolio.

While it is a cute outfit, the weather didn’t cooperate on the day of this shoot so I was left to wing it.  Fortunately we had planned out enough shots that this outfit kind of became an extra.

I am not going lie – it was the end of the day, I was exhausted, I knew we didn’t really need the outfit to update her book so I broke my own rules and did the shot against a plain gray wall with the attitude of “maybe I will come up with something later”.

So the image sat in my work folder for a few weeks and by chance I came across a great tutorial about how to make rain in Photoshop.  At this point, I knew I had a happy accident in the making.

A stormy sky image, a winter tree line image,  the raindrop tutorial, some vignette and contrast control and BINGO!

The real key was not selling out and doing another pretty girl looking at the camera in a cute outfit shot.  EVERY image in a models portfolio needs to show personality and energy.  Anybody can look at a camera and smile.

Not exactly a money making image for a commercial model, but a cool visual and just a fun image.  We need those from time to time 

The original

Hair and Makeup by Laurie Baldwin

Related Posts:

• Who says white has to be boring?
• The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?
• New Model Megan – Finished Modeling Portfolio
• Dirty Hair = Clean Hair
• How many frames does it take to get a great flawed expression?
• New Model Megan – Portfolio Shoot and Video

Model: Tabitha Rubin – Jersey City, NJ
Makeup: Carmina Christina – Harrisburg, PA
Hair: Nicole Raptapolus – Harrisburg, PA

Fluorescent Strip lights on both sides of the camera

Fluorescent Strip lights on both sides of the camera

22" Beauty Dish Strobe to camera left and a rim light to the rear right

Keep a look out in the coming weeks. I will be doing a lot more work with Tabitha. She is a new model based in northern New Jersey. We will be building a book that is geared for both the Philadelphia and NYC Petite’s markets.

*** I will add lighting diagrams for photographers soon!

Related Posts:

• The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?
• Who says white has to be boring?
• Happy Accident

Sunnie from New Hampshire

I recently had the pleasure of spending two awesome days with Sunnie Anderson from New Hampshire.

I met Sunnie during a speaking engagement this past July at the  New England Camera Club Council at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.  Sunnie was one of the favored models at the annual camera club conference that is held there each July.

Sunnie expressed a strong desire to work with me to produce a portfolio that would allow her to submit to agencies in Boston and New York.

I will be posting a collection of images from her shoot in the following weeks along with a breakdown of why we did the shots that we did and what purpose they will serve as she submits to the various agencies.

BTW…  I highly recommend the NECCC Conference if you have the third weekend of July open in 2010.  (Sunday, July 16 – 18, 2010)  This year marked my first visit to this groups annual event and I have to tell you it was incredible.  I encourage you to check it out.

Hair and Makeup by Laurie Baldwin

Related Posts:

• New Beauty Images From a Recent Makeup Test
• New Sample Modeling Portfolio
• New Video – Model Sunnie