Duke Again and Light Tests

Can I do two posts on one baby? I think YES! I had to share this little story board I created with one of my light testing images and a Duke photo because it just goes to show you that when God creates he only does amazing!

If you're thinking to yourself  "what's a light testing image" well let me just explain. Before each shoot I scout. I try to go out right around the time of the session and it is really important for me. I don't like going out on a shoot blind so I usually take test images of random things and I often give those to the client as bonuses just for pretty. I can manage without a scouting session but I like to go prepared. Duke's session was slightly different because they just came over to my house. Since Amy and Duke are my neighbors I went outside one evening and BAM! Light, gorgeous light! So I still did some test images to make sure what I was seeing would translate to how I envisioned it and then I just called her and said can you come now? At 8:00 at night... with your two year old and newborn? How considerate am I, I know :) But she was willing and the light was oh so right! I can't ever stress enough that lighting is key. You can be in a dirty ally, a car wash anything as long as there is good light you're golden... and for the record I've shot in dirty allies and car washes... several times :) The other great thing about these shots is that there was a lot of natural reflection happening, another crucial key to natural lighting. In the shot of the plant there is back light but there is also a source of reflection coming straight up from below the bush where the sun hit the ground. In Duke's shot he's looking straight up at the sky which always means amazing eyes or in this case amazing lighting for his sleepy little face. Reflection off something white like the sky, a white building or even glass can really make skin appear super smooth and helps get beautiful catch lights, or the twinkle in someone's eyes. Other things of different colors work well for reflection also. I've used brick walls, metal surfaces, and concrete is a personal fav and is almost always available. So next time you photogs are shooting around try to think reflection and find something that lights up your subject naturally.