We had a wonderful morning senior portrait session with West Lyon Senior Jed. He was a member of the 2013 West Lyon Wildcats Class A state championship football team. Jed brought along his football jersey, helmet and pads so it was only natural to do a few dramatic images wearing his sports gear. He also brought along his well-worn football adding to the authentic look.
The first image was lit with two strip lights from either side of the subject. This lighting technique coupled with a lower camera angle illustrates the intensity and power Jed brings to the game of football. Adding some post processing effects to increase the contrast and soften the color gives it an even more intense look. Jed’s mother, Lisa, is the one who had the idea to photograph him with hair wet. She said that’s how he looks after practices and games. She seemed to take great joy in dumping water on her son’s head.

Dramatic Chroma Key Senior Portraits

Behind the scenes chroma key senior portrait

For the second image, it seemed only fitting to put our subject into an even more dramatic background. Chroma key or sometimes referred to as green screen, was first developed in the 1930s for motion pictures. Television weather forecasters use chroma key to make it look like they are pointing to a map behind them but it’s all done with a green screen. If you’ve ever seen a behind the scenes for any recent action/adventure movie, you’ve probably seen them filming on a set with a green background. The process of removing the subject from the background is called a knock out or an extraction. The chroma key background we have at Myhre Studio is a giant roll of green foam. With the correct lighting it makes knock outs very accurate.

Chroma Key Post Processing

Dramatic Chroma Key Senior Portrait

After making the extraction in Photoshop, the next step was to find just the right background. I have a large library of dramatic images for sports shots. Choosing the best one is often the hardest part of the process. After some deliberation, this end zone image seemed perfect. Using Nik Color Efex Pro’s Bleach Bypass filter and a texture overlay finished off the artwork on this image.

Jed’s senior portraits a family affair

Behind the Scenes in the Ballroom

Jed’s sister Lauren came along to help her “little” brother with his senior pictures. Lauren was a Myhre Studio Senior Model in 2010. Along with being a clothing consultant and modeling coach for her brother, Lauren pitched in and held the grey reference card for a test shot in the ballroom. The Ballroom, as we call it, is a big empty room above the studio that has beautiful natural light along with peeling plaster and ancient wall paper. The crappy old couch Jed is sitting on fits the decor of the room perfectly.

Outdoor Senior Portraits With Jed

We spent some time hiking around the neighborhood on this beautiful June morning. June is the best month to do outdoor senior portraits. The temperature is pleasant, the humidity is low and the grass is green. Within two blocks of Myhre Studio there are lots of outdoor senior portrait backgrounds. This grassy location is just behind the Carnagie Cultural Center, Luverne’s public art gallery.
Thanks to Jed, Lisa and Lauren for a wonderful morning senior shoot! Best wishes on your senior year and a winning football season.