Attached Link: http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=706

Well Tom ya' got me on "4:1 might be too contrasty".... what?? *smile* You really don't need any fancy lighting equipment. A flash unit such as the SB600 or the SB800 that is meant to work with Nikon's CLS is all you really need. That, and a flash bracket with a diffuser (I recommend a Lightsphere II, no flash bracket needed) which will diffuse the light will work fine. Do a google for Gary Fong, and you'll find the Lightsphere..... Learn how to use fill flash. Or bounce flash if indoors. The secret is to have it look as if you didn't use flash at all. The link goes to a cheat sheet at POP Photo that will help. As far as backgrounds go just remember the DOF is your friend..... if you're faced with sub-par in the beauty department locations shoot wide open..... When you shoot on location as much as I do, you learn quickly that even the best plans don't always work out. This appointment was scheduled 4 weeks in advance. We were supposed shoot at a pumpkin patch.... back up plans for this was to use the covered barn at the patch which is filled with bales of hay and pumpkins..... It was still raining heavily the day of the appointment, but the Mom did not want to reschedule because she wouldn't be able to do it for at least another 2 months.....and besides we had the barn! Well due to 7 days worth of torrential down pours, the Pumpkin Patch was submerged under 2 feet of water because of flooding. I didn't find out that the location was completely shut down until 45 minutes before the schedule time. We spent a frantic hour trying to find another suitable location, roads were flooded... it was a mess... But it all worked out in the end...... 3 locations and 2 state beaches later, we ended up here. And the sun came out! Mom was happy..... Lesson learned: have a backup plan for the backup plan.... These two images were both taken using a 50 f/1.8 lens, SB800 flash and a Lightsphere II.....

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com