Yesterday, I found myself at the local high school, in a make-shift studio, taking holiday head shots of the 200+ choral students that sing with my daughter.

Studio set-up:

In one of the rehearsal rooms, I pinned a length of black fabric to one wall and then swagged a half dozen strings of multi-colored lights across the black (gotta love the fabric-covered foam walls for 'sound dampening'. Makes my life easier for fabric-and-light pinning). About ten feet in front of the wall, I placed a drummer's stool (it was handy!) for the kids to sit on, and then I stood near the kids shooting with a 35mm set at f/1.8 or 2.0. I bounced flash off the ceiling at about 1/32 power, and had a small Ott-light filling from one side.

Oh Starbucks cup, are you ready for your close up?

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