Filters - What Do I Need - (borrowed image from Richard)

[theantiquetiger]

I think Richard takes some of the best portraits (or the type of portraits I want to take).

All of his portraits and many of his images have "Auras" around the subjects. The lighting is soft but well lit, eyes have a glow, not just reflecting the light.

How is this obtained, filters, lighting stands and reflectors, better camera, post processing, or a combination of all?

I have finally reached a point where I can get a good portrait of my daughters, well lit, sharp eyes, etc, but it still looks like a snap shot.

I borrowed these images from Richard, I think these images are amazing with the eyes, soft light but well lit (hope you don't mind Richard).

What am I lacking to achive this "glow" in my portraits?

[susan]

Tiger, I may be wrong, but to me it looks like Richard used ambient light, a tripod and carefully positioned his subject or the light source to obtain the mood he was looking for. If he used a flash, perhaps he used a gel to add warmth.

[Bambi]

Richard also has awesome PP skills. He has a blog that he shares how he does his shots.

[Richard]

ahh thanks guys, sorry I've not posted in ages, things have been a bit manic. >> Bambi I made the decision at the start of the year to delete my blog, since I've just not got time to maintain it..

Anyway both these shots are continuous light shots. (well observed Susan).

The piano was lit from an anglepoise lamp from behind, (you can see part of it it in shot). This provides the rim/hair light glow. I then held a silver? reflector in my left hand to bounce some light back into shot. (you can see the reflector placement from the catch lights in Em's eyes.)

I think for the second shot i used an interfit 455 octobox, placed off camera back left, again checkout the catch light's in the eyes to get an idea of where that light was. I didn't use a reflector here, so the side of the face that the light couldn't reach is pretty dark.

I'm probably one of the most guilty for chasing extra/better gear, however you can can do a lot with a desk lamp and a large piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminium foil. Have a play when the ambient light level is low using a desk lamp to back light your subject and filling in the shadows with a reflector.