Lex

Jane Bradley · 01-31-2005, 12:46 AM

I broke down and bought a background and strobes - this is the first shoot with my new equipment. It will take a while before I am very proficient, but a few shots are attached.
I would love to have some input on shooting - I have two strobes, an umbrella on one and a softbox on the other. I used the strobe w/umbrella as the main source and the one with the softbox as the fill. I actually ended up turning off the fill eventually because I was not getting enough shadow. I purchased some jells to put over the softbox to give a little color, but didn't really play with that yet.

Kimberly Dow · 01-31-2005, 02:48 AM

These look great to me - although the more knowledgable may come along and say more.

Sharon Knettell · 01-31-2005, 01:53 PM

Jane,

Maybe Mike will jump in here, but I feel these have the look of studio photography. They are quite flat and do not have the luminosity of pictures taken in natural light.

The shine on her cheek is very distracting.

They, however are well posed.

Jane Bradley · 01-31-2005, 02:03 PM

Sharon,
I am glad you said that - about the look of studio photography, because that is what I felt, but I am not sure why they are coming out so flat. My fill light was really turned down, and very diffuse.

Mike McCarty · 01-31-2005, 02:13 PM

I don't have any experience with studio lighting.

One thing I would try is to reduce the amount of ambient light as much as possible. Also, you will be moderating the amount and intensity of light by altering the distance between the subject and the light source. Unless you can adjust the power output.

Practice, experiment, practice, experiment.

Marvin Mattelson · 01-31-2005, 08:35 PM

Using an umbrella for the main light is giving you the flat look. It's too large and too soft. You should use a small softbox 16" x 20" maximum on the main light. Use the umbrella for fill, but it must be moved back to allow for the proper shadow to light ratio. It is very difficult to get a natural looking effect without doing a lot of evaluating of the difference and compensating for it. Forget about gels.

John Crowther · 01-31-2005, 10:38 PM

I'd suggest doing what the cinematographers do and use a filter that will show you value differences when you look through it. I'm not sure what they're called, other than a dark filter. I've even asked in photo supply shops catering to industry professionals, and they don't even have a name for it. It's really just a metal ring with the filter in it that you can carry on a cord around your neck. -- John C.