Photography info: Natural light, open shade, with a Vivtar 285HV in a brolly box to camera left for fill. Strobist style.

(DIY Strip Light as main light, Impact hot light as fill)

(Two Vivitar 285HVs to either side of camera position – left light half power of the right)

My favorite image from 2009 gains that distinction not just because it is a compelling photograph with a strong sense of story and emotion.. its also deeply personal to me. My dear friend Lar was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2008. She had me do her photo several times during the course of treatment, but none were as emotional as making this image in May in the middle of her chemotherapy. Lar is an amazingly beautiful woman with piercing blue eyes and its those same eyes that are so penetrating here, full of strength and sadness and pain all at once.

She was a Godsend to my wife this year, who was diagnosed with cancer – lymphoma – herself in March. She was able to help with advice and commiseration. They are both cancer free now and ready to put this nightmare year behind them.. another reason to post this image today.

Photography info: This is shot with a dark room for a background and in a room with two skylights above and south facing windows. An off camera fill flash to camera right was used to fill in shadows and get a small catchlight. Shot with a 70-200 2.8L wide open.

This was shot using my own strobist kit. The model is sitting at a receiving door, down in a hole of sorts. The main light is above her to camera right and there is another with a purple gel sitting near her hip,

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Had a shoot with one of my photographer groups last week at a nearby small airport. We had classic planes and classic cars (and one Harley) as well as some local models at our disposal. This is a strobist group, so everything you see is lit with small flashes and modifiers mixed with ambient light. Of course, I made a few headshots while I had them as well.

Stephanie

Holleymarie

Rashell

Ashley (Who reminds me of an actress, but I can’t put my finger on it)

Lloyd

Deve

And a couple more of the lovely Zuzzie. I could shoot this woman all day…

This was shot in her backyard in open shade late in the day with a bare flash as fill, strobist style.

As you can see, its fairly simple. A flash unit in the back with a red gel, lighting up the shelves behind the subject. Another flash is on the ground pointing upward to give that “horror lighting” look .. the same one you get with a flashlight under your chin in the dark. The subject is seated, so they could look up at me with their eyes easily.. which is equally creepy when done right. For those that had props, such as Disorder’s horn here, I had them hold it close to their faces so it could be included in the image.

Feel free to comment with your own blog links to your Halloween photos! I love them all.

Mischief is our lead Zombie. She’s always looking for trouble, so you’d better not trouble her.

Visit Chaos Haunted House‘s website for directions and discount coupons.

Keep an eye on the blog.. I’ll be posting the lighting setup on Sunday.

Blood is a favorite drink of our favorite nurse…

Visit Chaos Haunted House‘s website for directions and discount coupons.