c&c first attempts at studio portraits

[flashgordio]

just got a couple of cheap strobes and a couple of brollies to mess around with.
canon 35d
any advice or constructive criticism please..

 

[flashgordio]

have i put this in wrong place??

 

[Soocom1]

The concept is good, but I would definatly watch the flash comming from the upper left. Made a hot spot on the faces. instead point them to the back of the subject and let the light bounce a bit. Though the tonalaty is good, I would still try to balance out the high and mid tones, and watch the blacks.

 

[flashgordio]

pic 2 &3 were shot with a tube on a single strobe trying to get a spotlight effect. i was quite pleased i got the desired effect but are you sayingthat it would be better with a softer light???

 

[Dominantly]

I enjoy #1 and 3.

It takes all types of lighting, if you enjoy yours, I'll bet quite a few other people out there will as well.
What I am not fond of on #2 is the intensity of the light, it could be diffused or toned down a bit, but it's still a good capture of the kid.
For the last one, I like the emotion and her laugh, but I'm not fond of the angle, I think you could have shot a more flattering composition. Maybe swing it over to see her other eye (quarter view), and bring the angle down a bit so she isn't dwarfed.

 

[flashgordio]

is this one better

laughing one was caught at end of a session and i couldnt resist taking it. subject hates it but i like it for what it is

 

[Dominantly]

How do you personally feel about the skin tones on the blond and the chin of the brunette?
I enjoy shadows. I personally appreciate a photo with a darkness to it, and some shaping shadow.

btw I had to Google "Brollie"

 

[flashgordio]

im new to all this dissection thing.. i dont know what im supposed to think..i never noticed the shiny chin before, blonde's skin tone ..bit dark??? i like shadows and details not really into blown out stuff which is popular with the locals hereabouts ...cheers

 

[flashgordio]

what do you feel about the skin tones and how could i improve

 

[Dominantly]

I think the skin tones are a bit too hot, I would look into your angles, the diffuser you're using, and power settings coupled with shutter. I would maybe do a bracket to start off and look to see what looks best for the lighting you're using.

 

[flashgordio]

can you define hot please..

 

[Dominantly]

hot is bright white.

 

[flashgordio]

i was trying for high contrast at time so i succeeded there but are you saying its overdone on the light side.....

 

[flashgordio]

by the way just checked out your 365 photos....hats off dude..

 

[Dominantly]

Thank you!

I think your photos look good, I was just commenting on the brightness in some of the spots.