Self Senior Portrait-- Comments and Critiques?

[D-B-J]

So i decided for day 3 of my 365, i should do a self portrait. So, here it is.

I used the dark of the night as my background, and lit myself with two SB600's in shoot through umbrella's. Both camera right, one at a 15 or so degree angle to the camera lens plane (from me to the camera), and the other at almost a ninety degree for fill. Both triggered by an SU800 on camera. Edited in Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS5, and Portrait Professional (just some lightening of the eyes and smoothing of the skin. Nothing too crazy).

Regards,
Jake

 

[tirediron]

Well done; that's a good self-portrait. The only [very] minor niggles I can come up with are that your key was just a touch hot, and I would like to see the shadows on your right side just a little less dark.

 

[D-B-J]

Well done; that's a good self-portrait. The only [very] minor niggles I can come up with are that your key was just a touch hot, and I would like to see the shadows on your right side just a little less dark.

Thank you. And what is the easiest way to lessen the shadows? A reflector, or just move my key light?

 

[D-B-J]

ttt

 

[tirediron]

I think a reflector 90 camera left would have worked.

 

[cnutco]

I think a reflector 90 camera left would have worked.

Also, do you think a back light pointed at him would help with some added separation?

Something like...

key light 45 degree camers right
reflector 45 degree camera left
backlight for separation

:scratch:

 

[pixilstudio]

watch the shadow under your chin

 

[D-B-J]

Thanks for all the lighting help, as i am still a lighting noob and have plenty to learn!

 

[D-B-J]

Any more comments?

 

[fokker]

Definitely would have gone for a reflector on the shadow side - down fairly low would have helped out with that shadow under your chin and just to define slightly the dark side of your head and your right ear.

All in all great shot though.

 

[moeglydesign]

Looks great, although I do agree with the other comments in that you could use some more ambient light so it's not as harsh. Great pose and focus though.

 

[PhotoWrangler]

I would have suggested something more like this. Two SB600's equal power, one camera right, the other camera left. Fill should be twice as far from the subject as the key. If available, reflector opposite the key for separation.


lighting-diagram-1313500187 by ChristopherCoy, on Flickr

 

[jwbryson1]

I think this is a fantastic shot. I'm a relative newbie and really know nothing about key lighting, etc., so I enjoy seeing the schematics of these shots to try to learn how this is done.

Are you saying you were outdoors for this shot at night? What was behind you besides the dark sky?

 

[dakkon76]

Not to hijack, but I'm with jwbryson... I'm just starting to use strobes for portraits and these lighting diagrams everyone is putting up and explaining are a great way to learn lighting setups.

Nice self-portrait too Jake - I prefer to hide behind the camera, myself