Learn how to photograph outdoors using flare
September 11th, 2007Many fashion photographers have asked me how I achieve this look. What I tell them is TAKE A CHANCE ! With the digital age there is no reason NOT to take chances.
Ok so how is this done ? I ALWAYS use a white board, NEVER a silver or gold reflector. Reflectors create that “glamour” look which is great for glamour but not fashion or beauty. I either have an assistant hold it or if you don’t have an assistant, your make up artist is a good choice. The board is held off camera right out of camera view and yes blind the model. It is their job to be able to deal with it. I control the contrast with my shutter speed. The faster the speed the more contrast you get. Ask any portrait photographer and they will tell you that this technique breaks the rules of photography. Well if you all don’t know me by now one of the things I say many times is… F * * K the rules ! If it looks good then go with it ! 
Now I invite you to ask questions !
October 30th, 2007 at 11:20 am
hi…
wonderful post…
June 12th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I tried using a reflector the first time this weekend, it was silver…hehe and the pictures came out a bit underexposed and tinted (orange or yellow) Ugh…I guess I have much to learn. =/
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June 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Hi Kay,
Well I would stay away from the silver and always use a white board. As far as your under exposure, what is happening is your camera is trying to compensate for the really bright background. BTW ALWAYS shoot in manual mode, otherwise your camera will take control and use it’s own mind. So to over ride the camera’s auto defaults just switch to manual mode and OVER EXPOSE by 1/2 – 1 full stop over. You can even over expose even more depending on the look you are going for. Same principal applies to shooting snow or at the beach. You must over expose because the camera reads the brightest part of the scene and will adjust accordingly resulting in an under exposed image.
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August 25th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Amazing work.
The lens flare is a nice touch.
Is this the same principal as using a strobe and exposing 2 – 3 stops above ambient is you want to darken the sky. In a sense are you using your white reflector as your strobe?
Thanks,
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August 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Yes that principal is correct however when using a reflector you won’t be able to get 2-3 stops of light out of it so the sky won’t go dark. Also remember that if the sky isn’t blue or dark, nothing you try will make it blue or dark UNLESS you do it in post. So don’t kill yourself trying to get the sky to go dark. The sky will always be darker the farther from the sun you shoot. So if you back light a model there is not way you will get a dark sky. If you side light a model then you will get a darker sky. If you front light a model then the sky will be a nice blue or at least much darker.
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November 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Jason, i have a Nikon d70s with a 18 to 70mm 3.5/4.5, i know its about time to upgrade if i wanna be taking pictures like u, and will b soon.
But i am wondering if its possible to take a picture like this with my d70s?
And was there any post production involved in this photo?
thanks,
poyan
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November 25th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Hi Poyan,
I am not familiar with the d70s but remember that it is not the gear that makes beautiful photos, it is the photographer and model working together as one.
I have taken pictures like this with just a point and shoot. If you know how to manipulate light and can get your model to open up to you and let you inside, then all you need is a box that lets in light exposing the film
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November 25th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
So the fogyness this pic has, its has not been touched by adobe?
Im guessing its done naturally from the rays of the sun hitting the lens.
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February 9th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I haven’t done much fashion photography before, just did my first shoot the other day – and i dig it. so, i was going over your posts (very useful, much obliged) for ideas and tips since i have another shoot this week, and in this one i see that you say that faster shutter speed results in more contrast. how come?
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February 9th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Poyan I am so sorry I just noticed that I did not answer your questions. No there was no post done with this photo and the lens flare or as you call it the foggyness was done in camera. When you take my workshop I will teach you how it is done
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February 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Hi Ojos,
Thank you for commenting and asking questions. Your shutter speed controls your AMBIENT light. So the faster your shutter speed means less light will enter the camera resulting in more contrast.
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February 9th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
makes sense…
thanks jason!
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Jason Christopher Reply:
February 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
You’re very welcome !
Please pass my blog on to others who might find it useful.
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March 14th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Why is the white reflector for fashion and beauty and the gold for glamour? I recently bought a while/gold reflector and noticed some of the differences of warm and brighter highlights with the gold. However, fashion seems to have suttle definitions that I don’t understand.
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March 15th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Hi Ra,
Thank you for the question. The first thing I want to say is there are no “rules”, but in my experience and many other fashion shooters, they would all agree with me. What I suggest is go and shoot a fashion model outdoors with the gold reflector and then with a white or silver. Look at the photos and see for yourself. I think you will be surprised. Now I am talking high fashion here, not commercial fashion.
The gold reflector on a high fashion model will look cheesy. But then again if you like the look, then go ahead and use it.
If you look at Playboy or any glamor photo you will see the photographer used gold reflectors. I have never seen a gold reflector with high fashion.
Please don’t hesitate to ask me more questions if you have them.
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January 1st, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Thank you so much for posting such an informative blog!
I was wondering what metering mode that you favor when you are shooting in this kind of condition?
Thank you.
Shannon
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Hi Shannon,
Thank you for the compliment ! I have been in New Mexico without internet for a week so I apologize for the late reply.
For this kind of shot, my signature flare look, I use center weighted metering. Center weighted metering is appropriate when your background is much brighter than your foreground. However, it is all subjective. If you want your foreground to be a bit darker then you would just under expose to your liking.
Thank you for your post Shannon !
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