Smile Devery {30 photoshoot speedlight Challenge #12}

You may have noticed that I haven't had a speedlight challenge post for a while. I had 3 photoshoots scheduled for last weekend and none of them came through. I am finding that only 2/3rds of them come through overall. When I rolled into Devery's driveway and opened my trunk, I realized that this was the first time I was checking my lighting equipment in two weeks. How am I supposed to get my 10,000 hours if I only have a photoshoot every two weeks?

Devery here aspires to be an aspiring model. This photoshoot was his very first experience with a photographer. He was so shy. I had a hard time coaxing a smile out of him even. I managed to near the end of the shoot though. It was amazing how one smile can change someone's entire demeaner.

Click here to view more photos from this shoot.

Now that we have gotten through the front page, I think I can say it. Devery can be intimidating. He is a tall, stern man. He speaks with a soft voice and has a very pleasant, encouraging demeanor, but it can be hard to give this feller advice. I can't enforce any modeling advice I have.

He got a lot better by the end of the shoot, opening up, and giving me more angles

For the shirtless photoset, I used a very cool temperature and I pumped up the contrast. A high contrast really brings out the gritiness of the photo. I find that a high contrast coupled with strong lights makes a beautiful luminescent laboratory effect. I can't use this effect for just any model, though. It can age a model better than time can. For Devery, however, the effect fit his tough, gritty exterior.

Doesn't he look completely different when he smiles?

Devery had a kind, gentle soul underneath his intimidating exterior. He also had about two poses and a elusive personality. I don't readily have another concept for him to try, so it might be a while before you see him again.

In Summary

The 30 Photoshoot speedlight challenge is a Self Challenge where I attempt to learn as much as I can about lighting. Read more about the 30 photoshoot challenge and follow my journey by clicking on the links below.