Bannack – Portraits

By Kaden Stephens

This week, I’ll be showing some of the portrait pictures I was able to take during my trip to Bannack Ghost Town. These were really fun to take since we brought in actors to model around the abandoned buildings. For each of these images, I used different lighting methods. This post will show the portraits taken with continuous lighting, speedlights, and natural light. There will also be images taken of groups. 

CONTINUOUS LIGHTING

ALONE

WAITING

The above two images were taken with LED light wands and Reflectors. Our model, David, was able to sit in front of these lights giving us some great poses. I shot close-up photos with strong contrasts between the highlights and shadows.

NEW SHOES

We went into an old saloon for the following few images where we used studio lights and reflectors with our three new models. I was able to get some interesting photos of our models showing off their props.

A SHOT IN THE DARK

OLD PIPE

OLD PIPE (NO REFLECTOR)

The above two images were taken in the same lighting, but one used a reflector while the other didn’t. You can see the difference between the top image and the bottom image as the reflector was able to brighten the model’s face and bring out more of the colors.

CANDLELIGHT

As I worked more with the model, I moved him toward the window to get more natural lighting on his face. We lit a candle and were able to add more to the emotion of the scene. 

THE UMBRELLA

After we were done in the saloon, I moved over to the schoolhouse where I was able to capture a nice picture of our next model staring through her laced umbrella. I wanted to compose the scene by shooting the image passed her open umbrella. 

DEFEND

After the schoolhouse, I made my way to an old building where I caught an image of one of our models holding his pistol. This created the scene of him protecting his home from intruders. 

SPEEDLIGHT

I also worked with speedlights and strobes. In these next images, I used strobes and speedlights to illuminate our models in their different surroundings. In the first image, I captured our mountain man model standing in front of a red door with all of his gear. In the next image, I was able to capture the image of an older couple standing together in a doorframe. Without the use of these lights, the models would not be visible in the harsh lighting.   

MOUNTAIN MAN

LASTING LOVE

GROUP

I also worked with groups of models. This first image is in natural lighting where I was able to frame the horserider aiming her gun through the arm of her captive. To get the lighting correct, I used bracketing where I merged three separately-lighted images together. The second image was taken back at the saloon where the three models stood by the bar. For this shot, studio lights were used to keep the dark building illuminated. 

HANDS UP

GOSSIP

NATURAL

As I finished up with the auxiliary lights, I wanted to try some pictures with natural light and bracketing. 

RALLIED

This first image was taken using a bracketing method. To bracket an image, you capture it at three different exposure levels. Once you go in and edit the photo, you merge all of the images together to get the best highlights and shadows possible. For this composition, I was able to stand beneath the rider as she lifted her pistol to the sky. 

PASTURE

EMBARK

The next images remain outside in the natural light of the cloudy sky. The first follows the rider as she passes by a second horse tied to a railing. I wanted to compose an image where both horses could be visible. The next image is with our other model as she prepares to leave through a gate. I composed the image as though she were ready to embark on a long journey away from home. 

THE DRESSMAKER

The remaining images were taken indoors but lit through the natural light coming in through the windows. The image of the dressmaker was captured while she was acting with her sewing machine as though she was making her next gown. The next image shows our other model staring through her window into the trees. I had her stand back towards the yellow wall to add more color to the composition. 

THROUGH THE WINDOW