RFCookbook – Tim Kelly: Student Portrait

Tim Kelly, of Fine Portraiture by Tim Kelly, in Lake Mary, FL, has garnered many laurels during his career as a portrait photographer.

“Student Portrait” was commissioned by the dancer’s grandmother in August 2007 for her home. Says Tim, “Most of the session revolved around ballerina poses, many with the dancer in full costume. I also captured multiple action images. But when I saw the black outfit a dancer wears for workouts and rehearsals, I was intrigued by its total simplicity. I had to create a simple statement about the dancer.”

Tim captured the accompanying image with his Canon EOS 5D and Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8 L-series lens, handheld, at 1/125 at f/13 at ISO 100. He illuminated the subject with Photogenic PowerLights and Larson Soff Boxes and reflectors. A small portion of Emerald Garden, a 12 x 20-foot canvas by Photo Showcase, served as the backdrop. He processed the RAW file in Adobe Camera Raw, lightly retouched and managed it in Adobe Photoshop, added edges with PhotoFrame 3.0, and output a high-quality portrait print on his Kodak LED 20P digital printer.

A signature Kelly portrait, “Student Portrait” is exquisitely lit and graced with layers of stunning details, which draw the viewer in for a closer examination and appreciation of the dancer, her mood and expression. This straightforward image is actually an intricate study, technically
and aesthetically.

“While capturing the image was routine, selling it to the grandmother, against all the more decorative images created that day, was a more difficult task,” says Tim. “It’s important to note that the reason this image exists is because I made it for myself. The client did not ask for this view or interpretation. But I had to create something that would please me and fit my portfolio.”

“Student Portrait” has proved a winning addition to his portfolio. Entered into the Florida Professional Photographers annual print exhibit later that month, the portrait won first place, Portrait of a Woman and Best of Show. It also won SEPPA and PPA awards and inclusion in the Loan Collection.

“When she learned that the portrait had won an impressive number of awards, the dancer’s grandmother finally bought an 8 x 10-inch print,” says Tim. “The rewards of creating something for myself always pay off in some way, which is one of the reasons I still love my job.”

For more images by Tim Kelly, visit www.timkellyportraits.com.

Ingredients:
– Camera: Canon EOS 5D
– Lens: Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM
– Exposure: 1/125 at f/13, ISO 100
– White Balance: Custom/flash/approximately 5200K
– Metering: f/13 key light, f/9.5 fill, f/8 reflector
– Lighting: Larson 3 x 4-foot Soff Box main, Larson 4  x  6-foot Soff box    
  fill, Larson 10 x 30-inch Soff strip hair light, Larson 42 x 72-inch soft
  white reflector panel, Tim Kelly 32-inch gobo
– Software: Microsoft Expression Media, Adobe Camera Raw, Adobe     
  Photoshop CS3, onOne’s Photo-Frame Pro 3, Nik ColorEffects Pro 3.0, Nik
  Sharpener Pro 2.0
– Color Management: X-Rite Eye-One Pro System