Selfie - Not Hiding This Time

[Geaux]

Alright y'all, no more hiding behind the 11" reflector...Played around with shallow DOF portrait. I wanted a brighter look, but I can't tell if too bright. Looks ok on one monitor compared to another at my place. Thoughts? Comments?

I know I clipped the very tip of my head, but when shooting at f/1.4 and trying to hit the focus (which I think I got pretty darn close), it's the best I could do...tonight :greenpbl:

 

[Trever1t]

Exposure looks ok to me. It's really hard to nail focus at 1.4 holding the camera not to mention trying to get infront of it

 

[frommrstomommy]

Seems kinda dark in the center of your face to me?

 

[Geaux]

Seems kinda dark in the center of your face to me?

There's going to be some shadowing, it was shot with two studio strobes in 47" octaboxes directly on either side of me. If I moved them more forward, the lighting was very flat looking. You can see the light sources in my catchlights


Trevor,

Thanks man, a broomstick works wonders for focusing

 

[frommrstomommy]

step back then? lol

 

[frommrstomommy]

I just realized you said if you moved THEM forward.. thought you meant moved yourself. KIDDING.

 

[Geaux]

If I moved them forward, it would be exactly like if I took a step back :lmao: . Either way, I knew the shadow was going to be created. I like the look it creates, the balanced light.

I dunno how else to explain it.

 

[Designer]

IMO, the "balanced" light is the problem. Try for a key light and a fill light.

Also, the DOF is too shallow.

And for men, low key works quite well.

 

[Geaux]

IMO, the "balanced" light is the problem. Try for a key light and a fill light.

Also, the DOF is too shallow.

And for men, low key works quite well.

I 100% agree with all the points you made and I'd say 95% of the time I'd shoot them exactly like that. I was trying something a little different, especially with the f/1.4 portrait.

I'd be lying if I said this is the guy was my inspiration, but I've seen it done before and wanted to go with a look like this, but selfie.

http://neilvn.com/tangents/studio-portraits-with-85mm-f1-4-lens/

 

[Designer]

Yes, I see. IMO, the model's hands being in the area of focus makes the back of her head being out of focus not so noticeable. The other shots with just glasses the same thing, only not quite so nice.

 

[cookedpixel]

For a monochrome image you need more contrast (difference in luminance values) between the subject and background. Some of the values on the edges of your face are too close to the backdrop. Use a continuous light source directed at the backdrop and experiment with various distances and angles for the light. Some of the highlights on your face have caused overexposure and created a loss of detail and texture in those areas. Study the photographs you have linked a little more closely. There are some major differences in lighting.

All in all, not a bad attempt. Self portraits are very difficult.

 

[Geaux]

For a monochrome image you need more contrast (difference in luminance values) between the subject and background. Some of the values on the edges of your face are too close to the backdrop. Use a continuous light source directed at the backdrop and experiment with various distances and angles for the light. Some of the highlights on your face have caused overexposure and created a loss of detail and texture in those areas. Study the photographs you have linked a little more closely. There are some major differences in lighting.

All in all, not a bad attempt. Self portraits are very difficult.

I just found those images today, those were lighted very differently. More than likely a light source front directly above subject and another on a background. I was trying to mimic the shallow dof, not the lighting. Although....I wish I had the room in my office to raise a light above my head haha.

The overexposure on my cheeks was my biggest peeve while editing and I couldn't get it right without throwing something else off. I'll just need to correct these things in camera next time, thats the best way to do it.

 

[thelittlewhimsy]

technicals aside, you're super brave for going in front of the camera- I'm STILL camera shy, and almost always hide behind the lens.

 

[Geaux]

technicals aside, you're super brave for going in front of the camera- I'm STILL camera shy, and almost always hide behind the lens.

I rarely if ever do it, but with brand new lights and nothing to shoot happens, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[The_Traveler]

I think this style looks better in color and sharpened more and straight.
But considering you aren't a beautiful woman, pretty good.