Photography

Promo Shoot with Musician Jesse Tucker

Posted on July 29, 2009

Canon 5DMKII, 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/125, f/5.0, ISO 100.

We truly traveled to the most derelict location to get some background character for this promo shoot with guitarist, singer, songwriter, Jesse Tucker. In fact, there was a pair of used ladies’ panties inches away from Tucker in this very picture. Classy.

Jesse Tucker set-up

I shot my 580EX strobe on low power through an umbrella camera left. This gave a nice catch light in the eyes and gave a nice even soft light on the face. For triggers I use the Alien Bees CyberSync 2.4GHz Radio Remote Control systems. They are a third the price as Pocket Wizards and work like a charm. Way way better than the Gadget Infinity triggers I had before!

Lens Baby guitar
Canon Xti, LensBaby Composer lens, 1/500, ISO 100.

One lesson I learnt from this shoot is, when scouting for shoot locations, actually get out of your car and explore the area on foot with your camera. Visualize your subject and lighting set-up and take some reference shots of the angles you plan on using. Make sure you are scouting at the time of day that you plan on shooting so you can get an idea of what the light is doing.

Had I done a throughout sweep of the area, instead of a drive by I might have noticed all the garbage, unpleasant odor emanating from said garbage, and the over-all messiness of the background, I probably would have chosen a different location :-/ Ah well, at least it was magic hour :D

Jesse Tucker
5DMkII, 85mm f/1.8 lens, 1/2500, f/2.5 ISO 100.

Lisa Bettany is a world renowned photographer, travel writer & tech entrepreneur. When she is not capturing the beauty of the world or making iPhone apps, she enjoys flying small planes, reading books about Spitfires, hiking in the mountains and drinking tea.

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  • Daniel
    July 29, 2009 at 11:35 PM

    Do you ever shoot non-magic hour un-backlit? haha…

  • Mostly Lisa
    July 29, 2009 at 11:40 PM

    @Daniel: Yep! –> loads

  • Daniel
    July 29, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    So 3 out of all basically?

  • Wesley
    July 29, 2009 at 11:48 PM

    Interesting, but maybe too much detail is lost in the backlight? Can’t really see his face :/

  • eric f.
    July 30, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Good job.

  • William
    July 30, 2009 at 2:57 PM

    Really useful post, Lisa. It’s always good to hear about the practicalities. On a recent shoot, the day turned out to be way too sunny, and I had to shoot in the shade of some trees. That still didn’t stop the very bright sunlight shining through the trees and creating too many specular highlights. No golden hour for me! (Model could only do the afternoon.)

    William

  • Bloop
    July 30, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    Do you need any cables to connect those AB triggers to your flash / camera? Since both don’t have a syncport.

  • Mike
    July 31, 2009 at 1:04 AM

    Too much light on the hair

  • Hank
    July 31, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    What cables did you use to attach those Alien Bees to your flash and camera?

  • bob
    July 31, 2009 at 11:27 AM

    I’ve been looking at getting either the Cactus units or the Cybersync ones. Why are the Cybersync ones way way better?

  • Mostly Lisa
    August 3, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    @Daniel: um no. but whatever. turkey!

  • Mostly Lisa
    August 3, 2009 at 2:21 AM

    @bob: because the Cactus units suck! they misfire all the time which drain your batteries and they rarely fire when you want them too.

    Definitely get the Alien Bees CyberSyncs!

  • Mostly Lisa
    August 3, 2009 at 2:22 AM

    @Hank: PC cables.

  • Mostly Lisa
    August 3, 2009 at 2:23 AM

    @Bloop: PC cables go from the receiver to your flash. Trigger attaches in your hot shoe. Fires wirelessly.