A Couple for C&C.

[mwcfarms]

Ok a bit more than a couple but I haven't asked for C&C much for a while. Working on off camera lighting and portraits. This is my daughter and my adopted baby sister. A couple are a bit darker which I have done on purpose. Thanks for looking and any c&c you give.
1.

2.

I left this one underexposed on purpose.

3.

4.

5. This one also was left underexposed on purpose as well.

6.

 

[MohaimenK]

VERY good lighting! Well done! One suggession, as I've heard others give me, when shooting black on black, place a light behind the subject to seperate the two (also called a rim light) that way you'll get a 3D effect. Other than that, love them all. Great job!

I see hwa tyou're trying to do with the low key light in #5 but I think in #4 it came out better to be honest. I'd probably have placed a reflector on black side or a 2nd light at a very low power as a 2nd light so the shadow was a big more even. But that's just my opinion. Yours was intentional so I understand what you're trying to do.

BTW, what did you use as backdrop?

 

[mwcfarms]

Thanks, I was really happy with this other than the fact that I only have one flash. I used an SB-600 off camera with a shoot through umbrella, a 32inch silver/gold reflector to fill a bit off of the flash and a black drape. They were about 2 feet out. I tried using a floor lamp to through a bit of light from the back but wasnt happy with that so just used the reflector and the 600.

 

[MohaimenK]

Sorry I was editing as you were typing your reply but here

"I see whatt you're trying to do with the low key light in #5 but I think in #4 it came out better to be honest. I'd probably have placed a reflector on black side or a 2nd light at a very low power as a 2nd light so the shadow was a big more even. But that's just my opinion. Yours was intentional so I understand what you're trying to do."

 

[MohaimenK]

I tried using a floor lamp to through a bit of light from the back but wasnt happy with that so just used the reflector and the 600.

When you say a lamp was it directional lamp or all around? The reason I ask is because for rim light, you don't want to use light that'll spill to the bacckground but use a directional light that just goes forward, toward the subject.

 

[mwcfarms]

It was a lamp that I tried to kind of snoot lol. I just need to buy another flash.

 

[MohaimenK]

use a large poster board behind the lamp and ake it directional. hey cheap is the way to go

 

[mwcfarms]

Arent the light sources going to be different colors this way? Thats part of the reason I didn't use it last night. Might have to try it again.

 

[mwcfarms]

Anyone else?

 

[MohaimenK]

hey sorry i didn't see ur msg. But yes you can get away using a soft spot light from behind and using a flash from front. But make sure it's not a harsh powerful light as your rim light. Remember, you're simply lighting up the edge of the subject.

 

[tirediron]

C&C per req:

1. Excellent!! Great exposure and composition. My only two [very minor] thoughts are that I would have looked for a different colour top (based on her colouring I'm thinking a rich, dark green) and a hair light would have helped to separate her from the background. I think you could also crop a little off the top.

2. Notwithstanding your intention here, the shadow on the right side of her face (image left) doesn't work for me. I do like the key light and expression.

3. Very nice.

4. Again, not fond of this effect, and I think a hairlight would really help; just a simple speedlight directly behind her head on 1/64 would probably be all you need.

5. I'm undecided on this one; definitely a little too much empty space image left. I think I would like to see your key light dropped down a stop or two and then a second light image right on minimum power using barn doors or a snoot to give us just a hint of detail on the right side of her face.

6. Very nice - drop your key light down one stop and you've nailed htis one. Great look, nice expression.

Overall this is a great set Dee. There really isn't much to critique on them, they're just plain good! I think that perhaps low key portraiture is really your forte.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

 

[mwcfarms]

Thanks John, I love low key portraits. A gypsy told me she saw bright things in my future. Is it bad to interpret this as I need to buy the SB900.

 

[tirediron]

Thanks John, I love low key portraits. A gypsy told me she saw bright things in my future. Is it bad to interpret this as I need to buy the SB900.

I think it is - I would save a little more and get a couple of real studio strobes, ABs or similar. If you have a London Drugs around, they carry the Opus line, which, IMO, are a good, consumer grade of strobe.

 

[mwcfarms]

Lol so I finally figure out how to use flash and you tell me to buy strobes. Groan. I was actually looking at a couple of monolight kits but thing is I have never even played with one so not sure what to get like wattage, triggers, etc.

 

[tirediron]

Ideally three lights, 1 500 and 2 250 WS is a good, all around kit, but even a couple of 250s will let you do a lot. From all I've heard the SB900 isn't a great bargain, and using speedlights for portrait lighting if you're going to get into it seriously isn't, IMO, the way to go.