Captivating Portraits at Dusk: Unleashing Creativity with Continuous Lighting Techniques
with Nikki Harrison
Nikki Harrison's outdoor photoshoot, showcasing the possibilities and creative potential of continuous lighting techniques during dusk.
Introducing Nikki Harrison, a talented portrait artist based in British Columbia, Canada, who is excited to share an upcoming creative photoshoot utilizing continuous lighting at dusk.
Nikki relies on the Stella Reflex S, equipped with the wide optic that facilitates optimal light spread. As she is shooting at dusk, the full power of the light is not necessary. In fact, twilight conditions make it easier to illuminate the subject without requiring excessive output.
Nikki also highlights the flexibility of the Reflex lights, especially when it comes to using a power cord instead of relying solely on the battery. With the studio version, you can connect a power cord to eliminate any concern about battery life, leaving the charged batteries available for outdoor and on-location shoots. The compact size and weather resistance capabilities of the lights make them highly convenient, ensuring portability and ease of use.
In terms of modifiers, Nikki opts for a simple and cost-effective shoot-through umbrella with the wide optic. This combination, attached to the Reflex S, creates a pleasing spread of light.
Moving on to the shoot itself, Nikki introduces the StellaPro CLx10, a powerful continuous light. She positiones the light strategically behind the model's head, it acts as a hairlight and rimlight, adding depth and dimension to the photographs.
To add an extra touch of creativity, Nikki incorporates the use of vaseline on a protective lens. This technique creates a soft and misty glow when combined with continuous lighting, resulting in dreamlike and atmospheric images. Furthermore, Nikki employs atmospheric aerosol during the shoot to enhance the ethereal quality, resulting in captivating portraits.
She stress the importance of adjusting the light intensity as the ambient lighting rapidly changes during the transition into blue hour. Despite the limitations imposed by the setup, Nikki skillfully directs the professional model, capturing a range of poses and movements to achieve a diverse and captivating series of images.
With the option to use or forgo the vaseline filter, Nikki showcases the remarkable results achieved with and without this creative addition.
Photographers are encouraged to explore various lighting positions and effects to unlock unique and visually captivating outcomes. Finally, Nikki incorporates canned smoke with the assistance of videographer Josh, further enhancing the ethereal atmosphere of the shoot. This insightful blog post provides a comprehensive overview of Nikki Harrison's outdoor photoshoot, showcasing the possibilities and creative potential of continuous lighting techniques during dusk. The "What's in the Bag" section reveals the essential equipment and modifiers used by Nikki, underscoring the convenience, versatility, and exceptional results achievable with the StellaPro lights.
About Nikki Harrison
Meet Nikki Harrison, a professional photographer with 15 years of experience in the industry. Nikki holds a Master's degree in Photography and has received numerous awards and publications for her work. Nikki won the Bronze Medal for Canada in the Portrait category for the WPC - World Photography Cup 2017. She specializes in photo art and is highly respected in the field for her unique vision and creativity.
Nikki’s photographs are a visual representation of her passion for the art form and her ability to capture the beauty in the world around us while throwing her own artistic spin on it. She has an eye for detail and composition, and her work is known for its emotive quality and technical excellence. She strives to push the boundaries of traditional photography and inspires others to do the same.
Believe it or not, this is the simplest one light setup you could possibly imagine.
