Portrait Lighting -- Which do you prefer?

[jwbryson1]

These are pretty close, but is one of them better than the other? Is the brighter one too harshly lit?


1. http:// EE V1 by jwbryson1, on Flickr


2. http:// EE V2 by jwbryson1, on Flickr

 

[tirediron]

Since I'm not on a calibrated monitor, don't take this as gospel, but the first one appears better to me. #2 seems about 1/3 stop over-exposed. The lighting is okay, but his left (image right) eye-socket is a little dark; perhaps some minor selective exposure adjustment would rectify that?

 

[ManualMode]

Since I'm not on a calibrated monitor, don't take this as gospel, but the first one appears better to me. #2 seems about 1/3 stop over-exposed. The lighting is okay, but his left (image right) eye-socket is a little dark; perhaps some minor selective exposure adjustment would rectify that?

Looks the same to me.
I almost wish he were facing the other direction..

 

[jwbryson1]

Since I'm not on a calibrated monitor, don't take this as gospel, but the first one appears better to me. #2 seems about 1/3 stop over-exposed. The lighting is okay, but his left (image right) eye-socket is a little dark; perhaps some minor selective exposure adjustment would rectify that?

Agreed. I'm sitting around worrying about my event tomorrow and making myself nervous, so I'm "practicing" adjustments in LR4 to keep myself occupied...

 

[jwbryson1]

Since I'm not on a calibrated monitor, don't take this as gospel, but the first one appears better to me. #2 seems about 1/3 stop over-exposed. The lighting is okay, but his left (image right) eye-socket is a little dark; perhaps some minor selective exposure adjustment would rectify that?

Looks the same to me.
I almost wish he were facing the other direction..

Yeah, it's pretty subtle. I've heard the same comment about facing the other direction. Thanks for the post. :thumbup:

 

[fjrabon]

For traditional 'non-edgy' style portrait photography the subject should never face away from the main light. I think this explains your conundrum. You need the extra light to keep your subjects far eye from going too dark, but the darker exposure is more correct for his light side cheek.

If your subject is facing the light you get better catchlights and don't have to worry about a compromise between his dark eye and light cheek.

Your light should also be closer. It's a bit hard.

 

[jwbryson1]

For traditional 'non-edgy' style portrait photography the subject should never face away from the main light. I think this explains your conundrum. You need the extra light to keep your subjects far eye from going too dark, but the darker exposure is more correct for his light side cheek.

If your subject is facing the light you get better catchlights and don't have to worry about a compromise between his dark eye and light cheek.

Your light should also be closer. It's a bit hard.

I agree with all of this. This is a photo I took last year for a friend and I'm just messing around with it to get some ideas for this year.

Thanks for the post.

 

[shutterbugjen]

There is not much difference you are right however, I prefer the lighting in the second image because it makes the boy stand out more from the tree in the background

 

[Tee]

Good luck with everything tomorrow. If you run into this same posing situation, my only suggestion would be put a little more distance between subject and the tree. You're gonna do just fine!

 

[jwbryson1]

Good luck with everything tomorrow. If you run into this same posing situation, my only suggestion would be put a little more distance between subject and the tree. You're gonna do just fine!

Thanks! The tree was set up and decorated today and Santa's chair is ready to go. There is plenty of space for lighting, so I'm feeling comfortable.

I realize I am over anxious, but I'm not a pro and I just don't want to make myself look silly. Deep breaths....

 

[cannpope]

#1

 

[Tony S]

#1 for me, the skin tones in the second one are on the verge of being blown out which makes the shadows seem a bit harsher. I would also look at moving your lights on the left up higher, they are casting the shadow straight across the face. Natural light falls from above, casting shadows downward, giving ehm a more pleasing look as they fall across the face. These appear as if the camera were tilted to portrait orientation with the flash off to the left side sending the shadows sideways.