Lighting critique please

tirediron

Watch the Birdy!
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This is the start of a portrait series I'm going to be putting together of local veterans. Hopefully when the project is done there will be between 30-40 portraits, which I want to all have a similar look and feel. I'd like some input on the lighting here, especially whether it's appropriate for the subject or suggestions for alternatives.

Lighting for this was a 22" gridded BD as key high and left, and a 50" SB 1.5 stops down about 40 degrees camera right for fill and a hairlight.

Bob.JPG
 
Do you have access to one more light that could be aimed at the back drop to help separate him more?
 
Yes...Other the that it looks great..
 
Good shot but I think I agree with ShootRaw. Just a tad of separation.
 
Not that you need it at this point, but consider me a +1 about separation from the background. I don't know if a light on the backdrop is the solution though. I like the flat black you have going on here, and I think that will be simpler to keep consistent if you don't light it. I can see you lighting the backdrop to get separation from Subject A, but then Subject B (or Subject L...) blending in enough to require modifying that lighting. Maybe that doesn't hurt your series, maybe it does.

Instead you may want to consider adding a rim light, or a strip light from above to light his shoulders. That you could modify, or exclude, as needed based on the subject while maintaining a consistent background.

I know it's off topic from your lighting request, but is this a crop from a wider original? I figure that some of the veterans may be in uniform, and some of those may want to be wearing their caps. You may want to consider framing such that you can compose the final images to have all of their eye levels at about the same height whether they're wearing a cap or not. Your series, your call, just something I'd consider if it were my series.
 
I wouldn't light the background, but rather, light the back of your subject as Rob mentioned above for a bit more separation. The BD did its job!
 
I feel like his eyes lack sparkle, and look a little dark. Having the key that high seems to be shadowing them, and if I am reading your description right what we're seeing for catchlight is in fact the fill?

It has a somber serious look, which I like and which I think it very appropriate.

I might consider pushing the fill up a touch just to open up the eyes a little and get a tad more pop in the catchlight.
 
To flatter your subject I would reverse the lighting. You have the shadow on the right side of his face (from my view) which is his best side and the brightest light on the left side which is where there are less than ideal skin issues. Lighting wise emphasize his best side, not the side with issues.
 
Not that you need it at this point, but consider me a +1 about separation from the background. I don't know if a light on the backdrop is the solution though. I like the flat black you have going on here, and I think that will be simpler to keep consistent if you don't light it. I can see you lighting the backdrop to get separation from Subject A, but then Subject B (or Subject L...) blending in enough to require modifying that lighting. Maybe that doesn't hurt your series, maybe it does.

Instead you may want to consider adding a rim light, or a strip light from above to light his shoulders. That you could modify, or exclude, as needed based on the subject while maintaining a consistent background.

I know it's off topic from your lighting request, but is this a crop from a wider original? I figure that some of the veterans may be in uniform, and some of those may want to be wearing their caps. You may want to consider framing such that you can compose the final images to have all of their eye levels at about the same height whether they're wearing a cap or not. Your series, your call, just something I'd consider if it were my series.
Yes, this is a crop; I'm shooting slightly wider than normal so that I will be able to produce the series with an overall simlar style. Good point on the caps. I expect that a few may wear berets, but caps aren't too likely.

I wouldn't light the background, but rather, light the back of your subject as Rob mentioned above for a bit more separation. The BD did its job!
To be totally honest, I never considered rim-lighting; no idea why, but the idea didn't come to me. That may be the way to go; thanks!

I feel like his eyes lack sparkle, and look a little dark. Having the key that high seems to be shadowing them, and if I am reading your description right what we're seeing for catchlight is in fact the fill?

It has a somber serious look, which I like and which I think it very appropriate.

I might consider pushing the fill up a touch just to open up the eyes a little and get a tad more pop in the catchlight.
Good point on the fill; somber and serious was what I wanted, but I agree, the eyes aren't quite as alive as I would like.

To flatter your subject I would reverse the lighting. You have the shadow on the right side of his face (from my view) which is his best side and the brightest light on the left side which is where there are less than ideal skin issues. Lighting wise emphasize his best side, not the side with issues.
Good point, but I want to keep the lighting the same for all of them; commonality is more important than vanity, and most of these people are not too worried about minor flaws; they know who they are and are comfortale with it.
 
Its underexposed and he needed to lean his head slightly to his left.
 
I don't see any distinct lighting. The pattern you describe is vaguely apparent, but the image is too underexposed to tell a story. Yes, some separation would help a lot if you're using a dark background, like a kicker light or rim light. You have to figure out what lighting will tell the story you want. For veterans I would consider a more dramatic look, something that conveys depth and mood vs. flat, soft lighting. Get the exposure right. I recommend a hand-held meter and manual flash.
 
I pulled it into Lightroom and it looked like it had been way over-exposed at the As-Shot settings. I re-worked it to how I liked it, like this. My major criticism is the deep shadow under that one nostril...once you see it, you cannot help but notice how much one stands out more so than the other.

I like the crisp, more-traditional lighting look to my re-work...but then...that's my preference showing.

$Bob_re-worked.webp
 

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