CC lighting please.

[Montanamyst]

Here are a few taken with my softbox and reflector. The first 2 are softbox camera left and the last one is a soft box camera right with reflector camera left. Any CC would be appreciated. I am hoping that I am showing improvement. I'm really curious what you all think about #3. I'm hoping to invest in more lighting equipment and a good backdrop, but for now I'm improvising. Are these anywhere near professional yet? The first two are of my daughter, so she really isn't interested in having her pic taken. I'm really looking for composition and lighting critique.

Thanks,

Leah

1.


2.


3.

 

[tirediron]

C&C per req:

1. Lighting: Good balance between flash and ambient. As far as composition goes, there really isn't any. Frame the subject to keep them out of the centre, and watch the background for bright areas such as the blank sky upper right.

2. Cute. Lighting. As above, well balanced and appropriate, but a little flat. I think moving your light a little more to one side and using a reflector to fill in would have provided some shadows and depth, but as-is, it's not bad. Composition: This one works a little better in that you're closer in on the subject, but it does need to be leveled.

3. Key light looks about 1/3 stop too hot; her skin has a sort of "flashed" look. She's too close to the background (note the shadow). Try and use 8-10' between subject and background to avoid this. The main issue however is the cropped left leg. If you have to crop limbs, do it boldly, NEVER laterally, and NEVER at/near a joint. For this pose, you really should have framed to include all of her.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

 

[Montanamyst]

C&C per req:

1. Lighting: Good balance between flash and ambient. As far as composition goes, there really isn't any. Frame the subject to keep them out of the centre, and watch the background for bright areas such as the blank sky upper right.

2. Cute. Lighting. As above, well balanced and appropriate, but a little flat. I think moving your light a little more to one side and using a reflector to fill in would have provided some shadows and depth, but as-is, it's not bad. Composition: This one works a little better in that you're closer in on the subject, but it does need to be leveled.

3. Key light looks about 1/3 stop too hot; her skin has a sort of "flashed" look. She's too close to the background (note the shadow). Try and use 8-10' between subject and background to avoid this. The main issue however is the cropped left leg. If you have to crop limbs, do it boldly, NEVER laterally, and NEVER at/near a joint. For this pose, you really should have framed to include all of her.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

Thanks! That's really helpful CC. I do need to work on the last one. I need a larger backdrop. I was using a sheet, so no room to move her off the background.
Appreciate the good response!

 

[Designer]

#1 and #2 seems the softbox is nearly on axis with the camera. Might have been somewhat better to move it farther to the right.

#3 lighting seems very good, however there is a wierd article of clothing spoiling the composition.

As for being "near professional", I would simply point out that many of the self-annointed professionals can't do as well.

 

[Montanamyst]

#1 and #2 seems the softbox is nearly on axis with the camera. Might have been somewhat better to move it farther to the right.

#3 lighting seems very good, however there is a wierd article of clothing spoiling the composition.

As for being "near professional", I would simply point out that many of the self-annointed professionals can't do as well.

Thanks for responding. I will try your suggestions! I really like good CC. on #3 the weird article of clothing, are you referring to her belt?

Thanks

 

[MLeeK]

They're pretty flat lighting in the first two. The third one is better for dimension, but tirediron covers the intensity..
When shooting on a backdrop your subject needs to have space between her and the backdrop. That will help with the shadows falling to the floor instead of the backdrop. White is the hardest backdrop to shoot on and have it be WHITE. You need to have lights for your model as well as for the backdrop. The ones on the back drop being about 2 stops brighter than the ones on the model. White will give you more headaches than anything else while you are learning.
Overall, you are doing great and are much further than a LOT of stuff we see from working 'professionals!'

As for the "weird article of clothing..." It does draw the eye and not in a good way.