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<p class="gutenify-section-f4ddfed0-f9aa-11ee-873e-bd49cd372e37">I asked a good friend, Deb Burgess, to pose for me in the studio, so I could experiment further with my relatively new optical spotlight. She agreed. I was looking for portraits that would be different, using the spotlight's various light modifiers to change how the light would fall, especially across the face. I also thought that I would render some of the images in black and white (and in some instances, toned). I shot Sheldon in a previous session, and the images were a success, overall. (I always have lots of "also-rans" that are OK, but nothing remarkable: successes are those that stand out.)</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-cae911e0-f9ab-11ee-873e-bd49cd372e37 has-lightbox"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A9979-839x1024.jpg" alt="Deb in the optical spotlight, color" class="wp-image-9831"/></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-c7b16680-f9ab-11ee-873e-bd49cd372e37"><!-- wp:image {"id":9828,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"8a8bc150-f9ac-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-8a8bc150-f9ac-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A9977-683x1024.jpg" alt="Deb in the optical spotlight, arm up" class="wp-image-9828"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deb in the optical spotlight, bright</figcaption></figure>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-c3a69730-f9ac-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A9978-2-683x1024.jpg" alt="Deb, headshot, optical spotlight" class="wp-image-9830"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Headshot of Deb</figcaption></figure>
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<p class="gutenify-section-1c88f460-f9ad-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a">As people mature, generally, they become more sure of themselves, more relaxed, and more individual or unique. Actors of any age can put on different <em>personae</em>, but mature people usually have a wider range of expression or mood than they did when they were younger. Deb followed direction very well. I experimented with black &amp; white, and sometimes toned black &amp; white. I liked Deb's direct gaze, the strength and intelligence it conveys.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid gutenify-grid-version-2 gutenify-section-3f807e90-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:gutenify/grid-item {"blockClientId":"3fabd450-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-3fabd450-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9827,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"438e65b0-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-438e65b0-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A9976-Edit-683x1024.jpg" alt="Black &amp; white, optical spotlight, headshot" class="wp-image-9827"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Black &amp; white, Deb in a serious mood</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-3fad33e0-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9825,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"88151f30-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-88151f30-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A9955-Edit-683x1024.jpg" alt="Portrait with band of light" class="wp-image-9825"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Light in the eyes</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-3fae6c60-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9815,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"fcea2df0-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-fcea2df0-f9b0-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0083-Edit-683x1024.jpg" alt="Optical spotlight with curved shape for modifier" class="wp-image-9815"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A curved light</figcaption></figure>
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<p class="gutenify-section-2bc776f0-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a">Sometimes portraits have a directness that is arresting, especially when the subject is looking right into the camera. Sometimes they are moody, and imply that the subject's thoughts are elsewhere. Lighting can be key to the way the image is received by the viewer.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-7cb7fc10-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9813,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"89ed2e00-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-89ed2e00-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0065-Edit-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9813"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Optical spotlight and lines</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-7cb9d0d0-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9810,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"fdd4f690-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-fdd4f690-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0027-Edit-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9810"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Low-key portrait, optical spot with modifier</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-7cbb3060-f9c5-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9812,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"36b0eeb0-f9c6-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-36b0eeb0-f9c6-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0062-Edit-683x1024.jpg" alt="Spark lens, optical spotlight, a different look" class="wp-image-9812"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Black &amp; white toned image, lines over face</figcaption></figure>
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<p class="gutenify-section-53652610-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a">Black and white, with or without toning, simplifies the image, obviously. This abstraction makes it stronger. Selective focus, in which part of the image is sharp, and the others slightly out-of-focus, does the same thing. Post-processing (how the digital image is adjusted after the shot) amplifies the abstraction. The more expressive the look, the more abstraction heightens its appeal, in my opinion.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid gutenify-grid-version-2 gutenify-section-5aee2a30-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:gutenify/grid-item {"blockClientId":"5b178420-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-5b178420-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9806,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"5dcc6af0-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-5dcc6af0-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0010-Edit-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9806"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Leading lines, reflective look</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-5b190ac0-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9822,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"925a65b0-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-925a65b0-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A9889-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9822"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Natural light, selective focus lens</figcaption></figure>
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<!-- wp:gutenify/grid-item {"blockClientId":"5b1a9160-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-5b1a9160-f9c7-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9836,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"668ff570-f9c8-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-668ff570-f9c8-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A9894-3-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9836"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deb in natural light, high contrast</figcaption></figure>
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<p class="gutenify-section-701b8ae0-f9c9-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a">For me, anyway, black &amp; white can be associated with any mood, but color usually means happiness, life, humor, connection. </p>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-44d62920-f9ca-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9820,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"4b206bb0-f9ca-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-4b206bb0-f9ca-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0116-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9820"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Selective focus portrait in color</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-44d84c00-f9ca-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><!-- wp:image {"id":9818,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"866aa4b0-f9ca-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-866aa4b0-f9ca-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0113-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9818"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Expression!</figcaption></figure>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-a03c4b00-f9ca-11ee-a492-dbc0f055468a"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0117-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9821"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Laughter in the studio</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid gutenify-grid-version-2 gutenify-section-ecb0ef80-f9cb-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"><!-- wp:gutenify/grid-item {"blockClientId":"ecd0faa0-f9cb-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"} -->
<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-ecd0faa0-f9cb-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"><!-- wp:image {"id":9817,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"eeef94e0-f9cb-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-eeef94e0-f9cb-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0112-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9817"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deb in conversation</figcaption></figure>
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<div class="wp-block-gutenify-grid-item gutenify-grid-item-version-2 gutenify-section-ecd28140-f9cb-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"><!-- wp:image {"id":9808,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blockClientId":"2ada53a0-f9cc-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-2ada53a0-f9cc-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0024-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9808"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deb in the optical spotlight</figcaption></figure>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large gutenify-section-4d80b7f0-f9cc-11ee-a1b6-ad7fe6fefeb0"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/L8A0094-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9816"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Expressive subject; Deb by the window</figcaption></figure>
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