Origin of the Dumpster Challenge story: A while back I had claimed that lighting, not location, was the number one thing to consider for a portrait session. After all the word “photography” means “to draw or write with light”. Without sufficient light, it’s impossible to even capture an image. I haughtily claimed that if the lighting was good I could make someone look good in front of a dumpster (not a location typically renowned for it’s aesthetics). And I was taken up on that challenge . . .
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The Dumpster Challenge: Lighting/Time of Day
I knew that I would take these photographs in the golden hour of the day. Many contend that the hour before sunset is best time of day for taking outdoor portraits. I don’t know if there is a “best” time, but it’s certainly my favorite time and defines my style. I love how the sun is low and streams through the trees, backlighting my subject with a warm golden glow.
Because we’d be shooting on the fly and on the side of the roads, I didn’t bring any supplemental lighting, modifiers or reflectors with me.
The Dumpster Challenge: Location
Like any other session, I took some time to drive around to find the best possible spot. Luckily for me, there is an abundance of construction dumpsters in my neighborhood due to all the new construction going on. I opted to use these for a few reasons: 1) they typically don’t smell like a regular garbage dumpster does (especially the one behind the seafood restaurant down the street), 2) they are larger and provide a big backdrop, 3) many of them are in bright, photogenic colors, and 4) sometimes the stacked construction materials nearby can provide some interesting backdrops, too.
The Dumpster Challenge: Equipment
This could be accomplished with any camera and lens. However, I chose to travel light with one lens on my Nikon D850 camera body. I selected the 85mm/1.8 and shot at about 2.0 to really make sure the background was blurred enough to eliminate some of the uglier distractions.
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Challenge: Completed!
Ultimately, I did have to spend some time looking for some better-looking dumpsters to suit my challenge – many of them had lots of writing on the side or were really mangled and beat up (and not in a grungy, cool way). But at the end of the day, I think that I was able to prove my case – that I can take a darn good portrait in front of a dumpster. Having good equipment and over a decade of experience have given me the ability to get the job done just about anywhere.
It’s sometimes frustrating when a subject get really hung up on a must-have location. Extenuating circumstances can throw you for a loop when you really have your heart set on a specific place. Unless it is a commercial client, it’s rare that a very specific location is the number one factor to consider for a portrait. The SUBJECT should shine, and the location and wardrobe and lighting all play a role in enhancing that finished portrait.