C&C!

[Alistair]

I know starting a new thread, but it's a new subject so I thought it would make it relevant. This is my wife I shot about 10 to 12 shots, and these three came out the best (Trying out different focus points). I know around her nose there is a little bit of shadow, and I should moved the axis point flash over a little bit.

 

[reznap]

Focus-wise they look fine. Watch your framing though. Dead-center composition sometimes works in portraiture but don't get stuck framing all of your shots that way. The shadows are a bit harsh, and not just from her nose but around her eye as well (& there are some harsh hair shadows).

Females usually look best under soft light. Big light sources like softboxes and shoot-through umbrellas help out a lot. Your flash was camera left & elevated? Did you use any reflectors?

 

[RockstarPhotography]

they have too much of a snapshot, and less of a portrait feel to them imo

 

[Alistair]

Rez,

Thanks! No, not as of yet I'm still trying to get the hang of using umbrella as well. This is my 2nd day of having all the equipment, really. I do have one, I just haven't figured out how to put it on without million clamps the reflector that is. =/

As of the light, yes I did have it elevated left, and the other flash centered towards her face powered down to I think 1/16th so I wouldn't blow that side. That's where I think I should moved it over a little bit, or shot it through a umbrella as well and lessened the power on both?

Rock,

Thanks! Yes, they are kinda of snap shot like cause of my surroundings, in a small room just trying to learn the lighting. =) I do appreciated your thought, and I will try to work on that soon as I get this lighting thing down. =D

 

[RockstarPhotography]

you need to bring the light higher up and soften it. See the hard shadow lines? That's caused by too harsh of a light. In some shots you may want this depending on the feel your looking to get, but not this one. You also want to use a reflector on the other side to fill in shadows. Bring the light in closer, move it higher, and use some type of diffusion (softbox, umbrella, etc.)

 

[Trever1t]

very unflattering pictures, try different poses, clothing (?), makeup, softer lighting, backdrop. These look like you took her picture during an interrogation.

 

[Alistair]

All right,

I tried using a shoot through umbrella tonight, along with the reflector. Everything was turning out, really, really dark. I was pretty confused, for I thought Vivitar 285HV would have enough power to push through a umbrella which are 33'.

I was wrong, it pushed thought it but it was soooo light. I tried everything I could think of, and I was wondering if was the materials? I mean, it is a cheapie, but ya still think I would have nice soft light? Not even a foot away I was getting anything. I was even shooting at full power with the flashs.

Any idea's? Or just back luck with the flashs not putting out?

 

[Christie Photo]

All right,

I tried using a shoot through umbrella tonight, along with the reflector. Everything was turning out, really, really dark. ...
Any idea's? Or just back luck with the flashs not putting out?

You're not using a particularly powerful flash, but you should be able to get good results on this sort of work, even shooting at ISO 100.

The way I work, I would put everything on manual... the flash, the camera and the lens. You say you were a foot away. I imagine you mean the flash was a foot away from the umbrella. How far is your umbrella from the subject?

The two best things you can do to get away from the snapshot look: Use a longer focal length, and move your subject away from the background a bit. I realize you're working in a small room. You likely need to work in a larger room so you can back up and zoom in.

Good luck.

-Pete