MORE OCF, CC please

Rosy · Sep 3, 2012

Still working on improving the lighting and focusing, NOT easy!! Appreciate any and all pointers

1.

DSC_7191 by casualapproach, on Flickr

2.

DSC_7192 by casualapproach, on Flickr

3.

DSC_7216 by casualapproach, on Flickr

4.

DSC_7207 by casualapproach, on Flickr

Derrel · Sep 3, 2012

Not bad. It's tricky to know exactly where the shadows will fall when two people's heads are positioned really close together and the light is coming in from off to the side, the way it is in shot #2. In SHot #1, SHE is closer, and he is behind her, and the main light is coming in in a "clean shot" from camera left, so his face is FULLY illuminated, and her is too. In the second frame, she is on the FAR side, and he is blocking some, but not all, of the light coming in. It changes the lighting dynamic substantially, BUT I think BOTH shots are quite usable. JUST something to think about...

These look like speedlight shots with an umbrella. THat can be a very tough way to learn how to light...you do not have 100% "real-time" modeling lights to preview effects, so it becomes super-important to think about the lights and how,exactly HOW, and WHERE, the light source *is*, in relation to the subjects, when positioning both the main light AND the people.

I think shots 1 and 2 have nice shadows and decent lighting patterns. There is enough shadow to show depth and dimension on their faces. The lighting is NOT "too flat"...the shadows really help delinneate their facial shape

2WheelPhoto · Sep 3, 2012

Derrel said:
Not bad. It's tricky to know exactly where the shadows will fall when two people's heads are positioned really close together and the light is coming in from off to the side, the way it is in shot #2. In SHot #1, SHE is closer, and he is behind her, and the main light is coming in in a "clean shot" from camera left, so his face is FULLY illuminated, and her is too. In the second frame, she is on the FAR side, and he is blocking some, but not all, of the light coming in. It changes the lighting dynamic substantially, BUT I think BOTH shots are quite usable. JUST something to think about...

These look like speedlight shots with an umbrella. THat can be a very tough way to learn how to light...you do not have 100% "real-time" modeling lights to preview effects, so it becomes super-important to think about the lights and how,exactly HOW, and WHERE, the light source *is*, in relation to the subjects, when positioning both the main light AND the people.

I think shots 1 and 2 have nice shadows and decent lighting patterns. There is enough shadow to show depth and dimension on their faces. The lighting is NOT "too flat"...the shadows really help delinneate their facial shape

Why not just flip the switch and employ the use of the modelling lights =)

cgipson1 · Sep 3, 2012

Rosy.. these look like single light / umbrella... and in some it looks like I might see a reflector????

I like them, they are acceptable... although the shadow side it a bit darker than it should be. If you didn't use a reflector.. you needed to, and if you did use a reflector, you need to get it closer to the subject to reflect more light. Looks at the dark shadows under chins, on shoulders... you will see what I mean.

how were you shooting? What modifiers if any were you using? How far away was the flash?

Rosy · Sep 4, 2012

Thanks Charlie and Derrel, always appreciate your pointers
Charlie, I failed to use a reflector. I will re-shoot. I was shooting in manual @ f/10 125shutter, ISO 800
I used a gray card for the WB
How is the focus?
Any tips on getting that sharper?? **I was focusing on his eye (the subject closest to me)

2WheelPhoto · Sep 4, 2012

Quick question, if you were using flash and reflector why'd you employ a grey card?

Rosy · Sep 4, 2012

No reflector - wanted to nail down the WB

Should have I 'not' used one?

2WheelPhoto · Sep 4, 2012

Rosy said:
No reflector - wanted to nail down the WB

Should have I 'not' used one?

Fortunately for us, WB remains relatively the same with flash =)

cgipson1 · Sep 4, 2012

Rosy,

This may be helpful for you... Online Depth of Field Calculator. F10 is probably a bit more than you really needed... the background is clearly visible, and a shallower DOF would have helped to soften that a bit. Sharpness looks good. I am assuming that you are using spot focus?

Rosy · Sep 4, 2012

Us - as in D700 users?

Do you notice this only with the use of flash?

Rosy · Sep 4, 2012

Hey Charlie

Yes - spot focus

And yes i have the app on my phone, obviously not close to me, when needed

Definately doing a re-shoot

THANK YOU

kundalini · Sep 4, 2012

Rosy said:
Definately doing a re-shoot

When you do, please keep a very good positive that nobody has mentioned yet on the couples shot. Having the eye of one being on level with the mouth of the other gives a pleasing result. #2 is the best example of this as well as the spacing between the heads. :thumbsup: