Posing And Lighting Suggestions

[Mxp Photography]

I shot the below with the 64' Alien Bee PLM and Bee 800 about 10ft away @ F20 1/250 ISO 2OO Nikon D300. I'm always looking to improve so any pointers would be appreciated, Composition ect. and this is an unedited shot.

 

[Big Mike]

Light clothing on a dark background makes the clothing stand out more than the model. If that was the point of the shot, then great...but if this was a portrait, then you usually want to make the subject stand out more than their clothes.

Her dark hair is blending into the dark background. If you want to avoid that, you need to use a separation light (hair light, kicker light or background light).

Also, I'm wondering why you would shoot at F20...with most lenses, you start to loose image quality as you stop down that small. You probably could have turned the flash power down and use an aperture that is closer to the sweet spot of your lens. (DOF doesn't appear to be an issue here).

 

[Mxp Photography]

Mike F20 is what the light measured out to be I could def move it back a few ft to open up. LOL I never thought I could image quality, that is something I'll def keep in mind on the next shoot. and as far as the point of the shoot, I need to learn and understand that to. I love photography but man there is sooooo much more to learn. Thanks for you answers.

 

[Big Mike]

Mike F20 is what the light measured out to be I could def move it back a few ft to open up.

Yes, you could have moved it back further and open up the lens...but that also makes the light harder. Usually, with portraiture, we want softer light...which means moving the light as close to the subject as possible.

That's why I suggested turning down the power on the strobe.

 

[Mxp Photography]

Mike F20 is what the light measured out to be I could def move it back a few ft to open up.

Yes, you could have moved it back further and open up the lens...but that also makes the light harder. Usually, with portraiture, we want softer light...which means moving the light as close to the subject as possible.

That's why I suggested turning down the power on the strobe.

I def understand the concept of hard and soft, and halving light ect. This was shot wit a parabolic (plm) umberlla and its so big you do have some leway in moving it back and forward, and you can turn down the power all the way an still get f11 lol