Dustin, absolutely outstanding images! I am definitely going to rip off a few of these

Do you ever use off-camera flashes instead of strobes?

I will soon have to do a football feature for my newspaper, like 20 portraits and a group shot. I have been looking for this kinda gritty feel, but my equipment and assistance is limited.
I do like your improvisation of using the loading dock. it’s always like that on assignments, they give you a dull room to work with; in a building you have never been inside.

Thanks everyone!

This might be a dumb question, but what was the difference between shots where you blacked out the door or kept it in? It doesn’t look like an actual background light or anything, but I could be wrong. And did you HDR all these portraits with three bracketed shots? Thanks for the info.

Dustin, apart from style, light and post-processing I really appreciate your portraiture, you get out some great amount of personality out of this kids and this consistently over 2 days! Thumbs up!

Markus

Photographer in Bangkok

Very nice work! Very very nice.

Miguel-
I did have some problems with the flare with the rim lights, ha, I thought they would be OK since i had them on the top level like that. But of course when I went wide they would flare up.
I later fixed them by adding some flags in front.

Thanks!

Hi Dustin, found you via the Strobist site (my second home).

Love the series, fantastic shots!

I’m new to photography and its shots like these that really inspire me.

Consider yourself added to my “favourites”.

Cheers,
Leigh

Your shots are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

now that I’ve recovered, are they HDR?

Absolutely sensational work, Dustin! I’m truly blown away…

The “look” you got out of the photos, how much of it is the lighting and how much is the PP?

Hey Dustin,
Amazing shots! I was curious, I see a strobe in the forground of the set up shots. However it doesn’t look like it was used on the subjects. Did you just have it stopped down or is there something i’m missing? I only see lights on each subject (not including the background light which I see hanging off the railing) but I see 4 lights in the set up shots. What’s going on? Thanks.
-Mike

Wow, fantastic shots! Love the second one with the jumping black guy in white! The use of light is amazing!

These are some really great shots - I shoot a lot of standard (boring) portraits of kids sports. If I could convince the shooter I work with I’d love to cross-light them like this and give the parents something they’d really love.

I can see why you’ve been asked several times if they are HDR. The skin tones are amazing. The highlights are perfect - bravo mate!

Simply WOW, love the effect on those shots and pretty sure those HS boys wanted to have those photos because they look dramatic and so good. I had a few questions and some already asked, like those are not HDR and look so much like it. But, did you use an editing software after in order to create that dramatic look?

If not HDR, what post processing gives them this surrealistic look? I’ve seen a lot of post processing like this, but no clues as so how to get it to look like that. Thanks.

Excellent work, the proof that a clever setup is the first step in the process of getting good photos.

What DANNY said is true how do you achieve that HDR look with out it, I know the lights are extremely important but the post processing is like 40% or 50% I think…

great eye, very well executed. it is a great thing when you can see a finished product in your mind before you shoot it.
best,

As with Danny, I am also curious regarding your post-processing. Obviously your genious lighting is key, but what else occurs afterwards to get that desaturated gritty look? Cheers!

Love it!
I would also like to know a little bit more about your postrproduction process.
Did you use lightroom?
and for the skin softening?
Thanks

Post processing details…PLEASE!!!!

in one word WOW! what a nice light and atmosphere almost surrealistic. Defenitlely inspiring. Did you do a lot of postproduction?

When you feel like it check out my site and blog: http://www.holandaluz.com and holandaluz.blogspot.com

Cheers
Vincent

These are all unbelievable images, and examples of how to use light. Thank you for the behind the scenes vip tour. Totally inspiring.

Astounding. 70 portraits? Whatever they paid you, it was a bargain.

Hey everyone, wow! Thanks for all the compliments and comments! I didnt realize how big an impact the strobist would have on my server, I am trying to fix it right now to allow for more people before it shuts down again.

Again, no HDR

Most if not all of my post processing is done in about 30 seconds. Then the other 10 percent takes another 5 to 10 minutes usually. I dont spend a lot of time on my images because I have massive ADHD and if I did I would go crazy, ha! But seriously, I am thinking about posting a how to or something on it since so many people are interested.

Thanks again for all the support!
Dustin

Hey Dustin,

Great work!

I was wondering how you feel about your Alien Bees. Do they recycle fast enough for you? Do you get consistently lit shots? Do you see any reason to switch to White Lightnings for your needs?

PLEASE TELL… PLEASE! Great work.

Wow - this really rocks! I hope you find some time to do the How-to on the PP because it is EXCELLENT

Some great, great work here. Loved how you got the kids’ personalities in the shots. I can’t pick a favorite one…they are all great.

And thanks for showing the lighting set up. I’m a beginner and haven’t a clue where to start.

Came here from Strobist…but going to come back more often!

Mark, New Jersey

Hey, Dustin-

Tried to reach you by phone and email last night as a heads-up — sorry about the traffic avalanche. You are in good company: Last year we (accidentally) overloaded Platon’s site for a few days. Oops.

If you do a post on post-processing, I may link to you again — fair warning.

-DH

Fantastic portraits Dustin, great combination of excellent lighting and inventive poses. You obviously interact with your subjects very well indeed. Like many others I would love to hear your post production techniques, whether they take 2 mins or not - they obviously work! - although I realise this is only a small part of the over all process.

Fantastic portraits Dustin, great combination of excellent lighting and inventive poses. You obviously interact with your subjects very well indeed. Like many others I would love to hear your post production techniques, whether they take 2 mins or not - they obviously work! - although I realise this is only a small part of the over all process.

Let me say for probably the 500th time…..awesome work!! You really did well with what you had, and that’s the mark of a photographer with a great eye. If you did choose to write a how to, I’d love to read it. I was curious about how you avoided the red railings in your shots, if you actually shot with your lights in the position that it shows in the set up shots. I was thinking you’d have to push everything back towards the bay doors a bit, but you can’t push your rims back anymore. Maybe you just zoomed in? I love the rim light, and have noticed that it always looks great on dark skin, so you got kinda lucky in that regard.

Great work.

AWESOME! The best I have seen for this type of subject. I LOVE these photographs! I can’t wait to try this technique.

Awesome series. Saw it on Strobist. I’m always happy to learn about great work, even more when it’s from an LA photog.

Hey Dustin,
Great job. When you get a chance please check out my site

http://WWW.MARKJREBILAS.COM/BLOG

I’d really like the opinion of a pro such as yourself!

Mate ! Stunning Work.

amazing job with the camera ,and in post . Could you give some tips of how you get that look in post? what program do you use?

Great work! Do you have an RSS feed for your Blog?

Wow, I love the lighting and creativity of these shots. Its a classic example of making the best of the situation and always making something apparently mundane a creative process. . . kudos. Great job.

Dustin,

really amazing work, I’ve been working on some shots to get that kind of look and feel for paintball, but haven’t been really successful your work is great inspiration. Excellent variety of poses and feels to the portraits. Thanks for sharing the setup.

HP

Very nice pictures, very nice lights…… thanks for this pleasure
Phil from France

these photos are very nice! love it so much!

Really intelligent, efficient work. Those shots work so well, and i’m sure the players must be pretty hyped after seeing such great portraits of themselves. Ta for the set-up shots too, always good to get lighting ideas. bravo old boy. oh and nice post prod. too.

Andrew Lewis Campbell …. from little old England

Dustin, I just want to say wooow, fantastics shots, and of course, I love your postprocess in PS. I wiil be lloking for your howto.

Regards from Spain

Nothing short of tremendous, beautiful, beautiful!!!

Well done, specialy because of the timing and conditions you had to work with. I’m amazed by the resolts. It’s my firts time in your blog, and I have to say that you are a master when it comes to lighting!
I have some questions…
How much of post-production you did on this shoots you put here?
Are all the shoots one exposure, or you did one for the background and other to the players?

I appreciate!
Thanks

Great shots and excellent lighting. What settings did you use on the strobes?

Awesome work, great pictures in a very basic setup. The very natural posing of the players and all the energy they have inside (since they are in a tournament) adds up to the images. Excellent job.

all that work, one exposure…it’s true, when it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

good stuff here, a handful of the frames present very unique and interesting poses, postures, expressions, given the amt. of room/space you had to work with I commend you and your results

the post-processing has a trademark to it, which is the key, you are what results you present, to simply give away what is successful for oneself would be a crime, IMHO…I don’t see the frames as “overdone or distracting”, I simply see a style that is unique to the shooter, like an artist’s signiture

Hey Dustin,

Caught this on the Strobist blog. I love these shots! You have some serious lighting skills and I really admire how you go out of your way to find the right place to shoot. I really enjoy your work and look forward to seeing more of it!

WOW! lol thats what comes to mind.

I followed the link posted on Strobist.com, and was just amazed by how cool those photos are. They look like their out of a magazine! and it SEEMS the lighting is fairly simple to do! A very inspiring shoot! thank you

Doug

Fantastic images! I can’t imagine that you shot all these images in such a short amount of time. Goes to show you what a tight shoot should look like. Love the images…

Dave…

Hi Dustin,

very good pics! What filters are you using to get this glamour look and still keep all the details in your pics? I see this look everyday but no-one tells how to get it. Do you use Portraiture, Lucis and some blending modes together?

Thanks
Josh

Justin, I have noticed most of your shots have a sort of ultra real dark menacing ‘gritty’ look to them, please tell me how you achieve this? Is there some software package I can buy, or perhaps a special filter somewhat like a polariser? Maybe you do it in Paint Shop Pro? It makes everyone look marvelous - especially the black boys and the white ones too!
Dustin … are you there Dustin? Hello …. can you hear me? Please tell me ,,,, please, won’t tell … honest

Maybe you spray then with something ? Please:)

The last photo is divine! Your lighting skills always impress me.

Thank you for sharing!

Hi Dustin,
Simple question which i cant find the answer for! What does back light actually do? and why use it? awesome work

Ju

Yes, please put up a tutorial of the PP, really cool stuff.

Yea, I think everyone would be very interested in a tutorial from start to finish of how that look was done, great job.

Dustin,

I have to say that your work is truly inspiring to me personally. It really makes me want to take some strobes on location, outside, and play with the lighting. I would be one of the many who would appreciate a tutorial covering some of your techniques.

Overall, I think you are an outstanding photographer, and I only wish for the best in your future, and hope to see more of your work.

Best wishes,
-AC

great pics and light
did you use a lot of after processing on some of them? Some look really artifical (not much a fan of that, but thats just my taste I guess)

can you talk about light exposures on EACH strobe and how you controlled them to get you good looking shots? Also, if you would talk about the D3 settings, tks

Outstanding work. I love your lighting technique.

Hey there! Great work! Can this lighting effect be duplicated without monolights? In particular, I would really like to be able to use my Canon Speedlite 580 EX II and 430’s (I have 3 of these that I use as wireless slaves) to do something similar.

Thanks for the great info about the setup and congrats again on some amazing work!

Dustin, sir.
Outstanding job.
Fantastic and utterly amazing.

What would be sweet, would be a little more in depth coverage of your lighting set up.

Thanks!
-David

Dude, You made me cry . . . These pics are incredible.

Hey Brad, sorry to say I don’t use any plug-in. I only you photoshop CS3, the reason It doesn’t take that long is because I use quick keys to do everything.

Hey Dustin. Talking about the post-processing in your last comment, what are you doing. Would be great if you could tell us!

HUGH-
Sorry for leading you on. I am just way to busy right now to do a tutorial. Its hard enough to keep my blog updated. I really would like to share it with you but I am thinking it wont be in the near future. Sorry about that.

I will tell you that I use a variation of multiple layers with different blending modes with dodge and burn and selective color. It depends on the image too, There is not one thing I do to everyone that is the same…that is what makes it so hard to make a tutorial. You honestly can come to this “style” with a ton of different ways.

I do not…REPEAT…DO NOT USE Lucas arts or Topaz or what ever, I feel you can use a plugin for certain work because you should individualize each image and tweak the settings.
(obviously there is more to it and I use the basics like levels and color balance)

Thanks for the comments and feedback!

Love these pictures.. great work!

Hey Dustin,

Something for everyone who reads the comments, or inquires about a tutorial. . . They’ll learn more and understand the process of PS better if they really take a look at your photos and ’see’ the various effects. You’ve given enough with saying you use multi layers and blends - with other things. Some of what you do is in Topaz - but like you said, it all depends on the photo. With each one it is different. Depends on skin tone, lights, effect you want, etc.

The hours people will spend on trying to get the same effect with their photos will be much more valuable to them then you doing a tutorial. They will learn more about PS and be able to advance in their own direction with their photos.

There is someone out there with an ‘action’ that does the same - though I can’t remember where I saw it. Then again, it does not work the same with every photo because every situation is different. Topaz seems to be using this ‘action.’

I challenge everyone to try to get this effect on their own. (smile)

Oh, and Dustin - GREAT WORK!

Kristi
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristi_Corbett/1605960143

What is Topaz?

are all of the ab’s ab800 ?

Zach and others,
Not to give away all our secrets, but when you do portraits like these you are usually shooting at ISO 100 or 50 even. If you were to shoot at this ISO with NO strobes firing the scene would be pitch black. The ambient, even with lights on in the gym, is not enough to be seen by the camera at such a low ISO. So, as you can see in his setup shots that door in the background is pretty far back and with the side lights firing they aren’t aimed at the door so no light is hitting the door with enough power to be seen by the camera, thus causing it to go black. The ones with light on the door are more than likely lit with that other ringlight hanging down on the side… Good stuff Dustin, hope to meet you down the road.. if you are ever in Phoenix with Rebilas come to a D-backs game and i’ll show you my digs there…
Jon Willey
jonwilley.com
Jon

Dustin,

In addition to my own youth sports business, I also shoot for ESPN’s national sports magazine and ESPN’s online HoopGurlz and enjoy looking at the work and drawing inspiration from my colleagues at ESPN, SI, and other sources, including your own fine and laudable work. Clearly, you have an enthusiastic following here and please count me among them.

It is also clear that many here want to emulate your lighting style and post processing techniques or, I suspect, develop their own by using your basics as a stepping stone. But can you imagine if everyone here was producing post processing work virtually identical to yours! That would effectively end your signature style, a style that is obviously in great demand. So from the proprietary standpoint, it’s understandable that you would want to keep your specific techniques to yourself.

But many (not all) of your viewers here are beginner, mid-level, and advanced amateurs still developing and improving on their basic photographic and post processing skills. In itself their requests are a lavish and well earned, adulation of your talents. And you have been equally generous in taking the time to thank many of your blog readers for their supportive comments.

So tantalizingly suggesting that you might produce a tutorial on your post processing techniques followed by your declaration that it might really be a long time before you actually do so because you really don’t have the time comes, I’m sure, as a major disappointment to most of your followers. And while it is true that post processing for each image is different, the fact remains that the basics of this Jill Greenberg/Dave Hill/Tony Chu style remains fundamentally the same. As you know, it’s the fine tuning that can vary significantly from image to image. And while I agree with Kristi (see 7th previous comment) to a large extent regarding learning on your own, there is nothing wrong with providing your readers with a jumping off point even if there are a number of other online sources for learning about software and techniques for softening and smoothing (GEM, Portrait Professional, etc), simulated HDR-style, shadow/highlight, multiple layers, and blending modes effects. In fact, many top photographers offer their various talents on DVD and make a pretty penny doing so, often far better than ESPN pays us, as you well know.

No doubt you’ve already considered marketing your pp techniques by way of online video or DVD or other medium. I’m sure nobody here would deny you fair compensation for your talents and time to put together such a video or DVD using several examples of some of the various post processing techniques you employ to achieve your results.

Indeed, rather than letting down so many of your readers to the point that some are literally begging for the tutorial you yourself suggested, an inside glimpse at your post processing workflow might well elevate you to god-like status among your admirers.

In any case, good luck with your excellent work and best wishes to you.

Michael S. Campbell
ARIZONA SPORT SHOTS

Whoa… these shots are awesome! Nice work scouting out the new location. Never take what you are given, that is the key!

you the man!

These portraits are awesome. The lighting is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Man, these are saweeet!!

Dustin, You just keep amazing !
You are a great inspiration, thanks for your tutorialistic blog.

In the photos, whitch lenses do you use ?

Best,

Ingemar