New light kit:) !!!! Shadow advice much appreciated

[rachelrach11]

I vote with Derrel on this. These are really nice and the shadows are nice and soft. There are times when you want flat lighting but this isn't one of them IMHO. Your daughter is so cute and these are excellent birthday shots. I am willing to bet 90% of Moms and Dads would love to have pictures of this quality of their child's birhtdays.

Well done. You have a great start on using your new toys!

Thanks so much !!

 

[rachelrach11]

I don't know anything about this but I'm gonna stay tuned.. lol she's so cute!

Thanks so much! She's starting to hate having the camera in her face.

 

[rachelrach11]

one more that i lightened a bit

 

[Derrel]

One thing I have seen from a LOT of speedlight type setups from beginning users is incorrect reflector placement; it is quite common for beginners to place a reflector on a set in such a manner that it hardly reflects ANY light into the shadows. I am not saying that this is something that you did, or do, or are doing off and on--just pointing out that, without modeling lights to literally SHOW, in real-time, the effects of a reflector can be difficult for many beginners or even intermediate studio shooters to gauge properly.

I have seen MANY people in videos on YouTube and on other sites, place reflectors, or diagram the position of reflectors, in such a manner that their reflector will without a doubt ENTIRELY MISS "catching" ANY of the light and bouncing it onto the subject!!!

I know that might sound hard to believe, but trust me...I have watched a LOT of YouTubers who do "demos", and seen them place reflectors in just blatantly ineffective angles/locations/distances/sizes...

Just something to think about. Many of these people are self-taught, and have learned what they know all on their own...

 

[rachelrach11]

One thing I have seen from a LOT of speedlight type setups from beginning users is incorrect reflector placement; it is quite common for beginners to place a reflector on a set in such a manner that it hardly reflects ANY light into the shadows. I am not saying that this is something that you did, or do, or are doing off and on--just pointing out that, without modeling lights to literally SHOW, in real-time, the effects of a reflector can be difficult for many beginners or even intermediate studio shooters to gauge properly.

I have seen MANY people in videos on YouTube and on other sites, place reflectors, or diagram the position of reflectors, in such a manner that their reflector will without a doubt ENTIRELY MISS "catching" ANY of the light and bouncing it onto the subject!!!

I know that might sound hard to believe, but trust me...I have watched a LOT of YouTubers who do "demos", and seen them place reflectors in just blatantly ineffective angles/locations/distances/sizes...

Just something to think about. Many of these people are self-taught, and have learned what they know all on their own...

Thanks so much! I tried positioning the reflector at an angle to where the light would bounce and have enough room to reflect on the darker areas.

Do you have any experience with Alien Bee products such as a b400?

 

[tentwo]

I love the 4th one! She is adorable!

What size soft box are you using? The bigger the soft box the softer the light and the more it wraps the subject. I personally use a 6x8 Lawson softbox (A little pricey) 6-8 ft from the subject on average. I attached a 7ft string to the center of the box so I have a reference point every time. I also use, recently, the 70" octagon softbox as it seems to wrap extremely well and go for less than 100.00 on amazon. That should be all you need! i am a big believer in the one light only!

I use the AB800 and Love it and will probably never get anything else!

In fact if you are in the market for a monolight, check the classifieds as Mike is selling his AB800 for 160.00. I already bought one from him. I think he has 5 more he is selling.


800's work great outdoors also.

 

[rachelrach11]

I love the 4th one! She is adorable!

What size soft box are you using? The bigger the soft box the softer the light and the more it wraps the subject. I personally use a 6x8 Lawson softbox (A little pricey) 6-8 ft from the subject on average. I attached a 7ft string to the center of the box so I have a reference point every time. I also use, recently, the 70" octagon softbox as it seems to wrap extremely well and go for less than 100.00 on amazon. That should be all you need! i am a big believer in the one light only!

I use the AB800 and Love it and will probably never get anything else!

In fact if you are in the market for a monolight, check the classifieds as Mike is selling his AB800 for 160.00. I already bought one from him. I think he has 5 more he is selling.

800's work great outdoors also.

I'm using a 43" octagonal modifier kit ( Westcott Apollo orb speedlight kit). The string that you use is such a great idea!!!! Thanks so much!

 

[tentwo]

Yeah, I found it allows me to ensure the distance is spot on every time in less then a second and I am not trying to guess or eye-it. It truly made a huge difference. I like using the 43" outdoors. not sure why.

 

[ronlane]

I think these look great. The shadow is really soft and there are no hard lines. BTW, she's a doll.

 

[Brandon Hill]

Agree with all of the others. Shadows are good, underexposed areas that are pure black can be problems but your shots are strong. If you want it 100% natural, than i wouldn't shoot with any artificial lighting. But then you end up being at the mercy of the sun and it doesn't always play nicely. I also wouldn't add any more light for effects other than what you're using. Babies are perfect on their own and I can't stand it when people flash them up, they typically look much better with window light or ambient light. But the way you've lit her is extremely strong and complimentary.

 

[rachelrach11]

Agree with all of the others. Shadows are good, underexposed areas that are pure black can be problems but your shots are strong. If you want it 100% natural, than i wouldn't shoot with any artificial lighting. But then you end up being at the mercy of the sun and it doesn't always play nicely. I also wouldn't add any more light for effects other than what you're using. Babies are perfect on their own and I can't stand it when people flash them up, they typically look much better with window light or ambient light. But the way you've lit her is extremely strong and complimentary.

Thanks so much