Portraits of my buddy *1st time using umbrella*

[nmaynard]

Well... I ordered a light setup this past week and some of it got here friday. My umbrella and light stand did. I bought a Photogenic 60" Halo White/Black cover umbrella and a 10ft Smith Vector stand. I have to wait til monday for my alienbee 1600 and vagabond II to arrive.

Sooo, I couldn't wait til monday to shoot something so I figured I would see how well my little 430exII would do at night. And it surprised me! I never used more than 1/4 power. Although I was shooting at 2.8 and 3.5 most the time. Which now that I reflect upon my experience hurt me in a few places.

Also, I think my camera is going bad or something. I have noticed lately the focus is off. A lot of shots are turning out way to soft. And it can not focus for crap in low light. Can't wait til I can get the 5dmkII and put my XTi out to pasture!


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[Early]

Nice shots considering only one umbrella, and I'm not seeing the softness you're talking about.

But here's the thing. I think (pretty damned sure) there's a rule that the main light is to be one the short side of the face, and the fill light on the long side.

 

[nmaynard]

Nice shots considering only one umbrella, and I'm not seeing the softness you're talking about.

But here's the thing. I think (pretty damned sure) there's a rule that the main light is to be one the short side of the face, and the fill light on the long side.

I didn't use any of the soft ones. But there were a few good shots that I liked but didn't use cause they were soft.

DOH! on the light thing. I was just having toooo much fun that I didn't even think about that. One thing I did remember was to make sure his eyes were lit well. I'm just trying to shoot as much as I can right now and learn from my mistakes. Do believe I'll remember next time! Thanks.

 

[JimmyO]

Lighting is decent for your first time. Shots are boring though.

 

[fokker]

Nice shots considering only one umbrella, and I'm not seeing the softness you're talking about.

But here's the thing. I think (pretty damned sure) there's a rule that the main light is to be one the short side of the face, and the fill light on the long side.

Hi - can you please explain what you mean by the long side and short side of a face?

 

[Early]

Nice shots considering only one umbrella, and I'm not seeing the softness you're talking about.

But here's the thing. I think (pretty damned sure) there's a rule that the main light is to be one the short side of the face, and the fill light on the long side.

Hi - can you please explain what you mean by the long side and short side of a face?

The long side is the side facing the camera. There's probably another name for the long and short sides, but I can't, for the life of me, remember what they were.