Please help #2!

zoe08 · Feb 22, 2006

Well I really didnt get many low key shots either, and I think most the ones I got I had the light too bright. And I didnt have a black background just a black panel to put behind so I could only take close shots....

Anyways here are a few, please let me know what I can do better when I do my other shoot on Friday.

JenniferLynn · Feb 22, 2006

They appear underexposed..what camera are you shooting with?

Also, there aren't any catchlights in your eyes, suggesting to me that your light is too high. Try bringing it down a bit and move it in closer until you can see them in your subjects eyes. A general rule is to have catchlights at 10 and/or 2.

zoe08 · Feb 22, 2006

I have a Nikon D70...

Thanks, I will try moving the light down closer next time. It is very stressing to try to get all these pictures down in a 2 hour time limit, including checking out, setting up and packing the lights away.

LaFoto · Feb 22, 2006

Have you ever considered using only candle light for low key?
Not that I know anything about portrait photography, it is just springing to mind that - provided your models can sit that still for so long - such low light situation might create the desired low key effect?

zoe08 · Feb 22, 2006

Thats a good idea, but we are supposed to use the strobes for the assignment. He had some lighting set-ups drawn up for us to try. And I was trying to do that. I just think I should have lowered the light some.

df3photo · Feb 23, 2006

I agree with JenniferLynn open up a stop or 2 and catch lights in eyes make pictures way better. They kinda bring you models to life...kinda...

JonK · Feb 23, 2006

I think you're on the right track here...dark BG, dark shirt, darkish hair, dark eyes. It's just you're exposure is under by a lot.
Perhaps keep the exposure on the BG as is here and up the light on your subject...the subject should be properly exposed I would think.
you'll get it

Rob · Feb 23, 2006

LED torches can add catchlights. IMO catchlights are virtually essential. They're very cold shots - perhaps chuck a warming filter at 17% over them in PS. Portraiture is very difficult, and you've done well here, just a bit more brightness would make the world of difference!

Rob

zoe08 · Feb 23, 2006

LED torches? Im sorry Im not very experienced at tall. This is only my 2nd semester in a photo class and first semester using the studio. We only did portraits once the first semester and we had to do it outside w/ natural light. And I really havent learned how to use photoshop yet. I can convert to B&W and fix the contrast kind of but thats mostly it.

Thanks for the info. And I will make the light closer to the height of the person's face next time.

markc · Feb 23, 2006

Torch is Brit for flashlight.

I think the light is a bit flat on the first one and a little awkward on the second. For the second one, I think having the light come from the right would be more flattering.

I like the light position in the third one. Do you mind if I pull it into PS to play with the levels?

JonK · Feb 23, 2006

markc said:
Do you mind if I pull it into PS to play with the levels?

yep the data is there zoe...just a PS levels adjustment away from a good shot :thumbup:

Alison · Feb 23, 2006

I think you've gotten some great advice so far. All the elements are there, right clothing, background, etc. Have you tried bracketing your shots? One tip I have would be to bracket, shoot the same pose with a variety of f/stops or shutter speeds so you get a range of exposures to review later.

zoe08 · Feb 23, 2006

Anyone who wants to play with them in photoshop go ahead! I need as many as possible to try to turn in cuz I do not think there is a way I can get at least 72 images in 2 hours on Friday.

And any suggestions for clothing or poses or lighting for my Friday shoot please post and let me know! I have a lot of male models, and not female, and I have a harder time coming up with poses for guys.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

JonK · Feb 23, 2006

here's one for ya
all i did was adjust the white point level slider in Levels and sharpen it a bit.
would look much better on the hi-res file I'm sure