Portrait Photography

honeycomb in this series of three images has worked

well, creating an atmospheric and dramatic set of

portraits. The muscles and build of the boxer are

pronounced, powerful and strong.

Image taken in the studio. Slate Grey Colourama, 1

Elinchrom BRXi 500, Key light with honeycomb,

Nikon D2Xs and 24–70 lens.

Thehoneycombissometimesusedasthekeylightwithin
portraiture,although asit produces a fairlynon-diffused
andharshlightthephotographermustbecarefultouseit
sympathetically. It is most suitable for use with strong
masculine portraits where defined jaw lines and heavy
shadows are required.

CAMERA SETTINGS FOR STUDIO FLASH

Forthegreatestamountofcontrolthecamerashouldbe

setto M (manual mode),enablingyou to regulatethe

variablevaluesofaperturewhilsttheothervalueswillstay

relatively static.

• TheISOinthestudioshouldbeaslowavalueasyour
  camerawillallow,50–100beingidealifviable,allowing
  the highest-quality image possible.


• The aperture will be variable, will change within
  differentlightingset-ups,andwillbedeterminedbythe
  light reading you receive from your key/main light.

AlldigitalSLRcameraswillhavemaximumshutterspeed

thattheywillsyncatwhenusedwithstudioflash.Check