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07/19/2006 11:16:28 PM · #176 |
Here are a few portraits I took of my brother in my makeshift studio (a white tablecloth, the ceiling light, and my flash with gary fong lightsphere). Wanted to see what people think.
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07/20/2006 01:18:09 AM · #177 |
Hiya Charles! Nice group of portraits! I like that you caught his personality well, his expressions are natural as are the poses. Lighting wise I think the light quality is nice, but I'm not fond of the direction (rather straight on - flat). You had your GF pointing to the celing right? Try aiming it at a wall or cardstock - I even heard one photographer say if he didn't have a wall nearby he would use an assistant in a white shirt as a reflector - to give that dimensional directional light. The background looks nice, especially for a make-do studio. Overall great shoot, keep at it. |
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07/20/2006 01:35:14 PM · #178 |
Another from me.... of me :P Same lighting set-up as described previously: softbox on right, reflector on left, fill light behind me and bg light. I did a series of these for practice. Thoughts? |
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07/20/2006 01:50:50 PM · #179 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Another from me.... of me :P Same lighting set-up as described previously: softbox on right, reflector on left, fill light behind me and bg light. I did a series of these for practice. Thoughts? |
I'm not overly fond of the pose. It's more fitting for a man than a woman, I think. The highlights on her face are a little harsh too.
Just my uninformed opinion, and it's probably worth what you paid for it. :\
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07/20/2006 03:26:57 PM · #180 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Another from me.... of me :P Same lighting set-up as described previously: softbox on right, reflector on left, fill light behind me and bg light. I did a series of these for practice. Thoughts? |
The thing I noticed first is what looks like dodging around the edges. I personally don't think it adds to the image, but it might if it was slightly more subtle and transitioned a little more smoothly. |
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07/22/2006 11:11:35 PM · #181 |
Played around some more the other day, but I forgto to change the white balance, so I have a bunch of pictures of really blue kids Ü. These are todays. As you can see, I'm still struggling with the lighting. I did order a sync cord, but it's on back order. I think the onboard flash is throwing me off. I twisted it to the side at least (just figured out how to do that a few days ago), so the light wasn't hitting her straight on.
 
Just ignore the uber dirty face... she needs a bath. |
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07/22/2006 11:25:23 PM · #182 |
I tried to salvage my too blue pictures via post processing. I guess it's all practice.
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07/23/2006 08:10:28 PM · #183 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Another from me.... of me :P Same lighting set-up as described previously: softbox on right, reflector on left, fill light behind me and bg light. I did a series of these for practice. Thoughts? |
I'm not sure I love this pose. I've seen pictures where you look a lot better. The lighting is Ok on this though. And YOU are pretty, as always (can I say that to another woman without sounding weird?) Love the dress, (and I wish I could wear something like that) I actually like the vignetting (oh man... did I butcher the spelling of that? I'm so not a good speller). But the pose looks too agressive.
Keep the examples coming. I love seeing your work!
Message edited by author 2006-07-23 20:12:13. |
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07/23/2006 08:33:41 PM · #184 |
Hiya Margie! Thanks for the comments on my portrait. I built a full set in my studio this weekend for a shoot coming up this week. I'll share some shots from that soon!!
I like the shots of your girls. Shame about the white balance, but you could fix that in PS, or even convert to b/w to salvage the shots. As or the little one, the lighting looks very nice there. Glad you learned how to turn your flash. Having it bounced off the side wall or even the celing is better than letting it hit your subject straight on. I think you're gonna be one wicked portrait master when you get that synch cord. :)
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07/25/2006 07:27:03 PM · #185 |
my first studio(ish) shots
I didnt get much help on my own in the forums so my husband recommended this thread. any suggestions of what to do differently/better? |
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07/26/2006 01:02:42 AM · #186 |
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
my first studio(ish) shots
I didnt get much help on my own in the forums so my husband recommended this thread. any suggestions of what to do differently/better? |
The first thing I noticed was the background. Your subjects are too close to the background. You should move them away so that the background becomes blurred. |
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07/26/2006 01:05:45 AM · #187 |
back to available light... I like it better Ü. I was just messing around with poses here.
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07/26/2006 01:25:39 AM · #188 |
:) spotted the new posts at 1:24am - seriously, you don't wanna hear my rambling critiques now - promise a serious look at all new images in the morning.. G'nite all.
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07/26/2006 07:52:28 AM · #189 |
| Hi, just wanted to say thank you for this great thread. |
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07/26/2006 09:51:59 AM · #190 |
Hows this for available light?
7:30 pm
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07/26/2006 09:57:09 AM · #191 |
Originally posted by cfischl:
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
my first studio(ish) shots
I didnt get much help on my own in the forums so my husband recommended this thread. any suggestions of what to do differently/better? |
The first thing I noticed was the background. Your subjects are too close to the background. You should move them away so that the background becomes blurred. |
thanks for your comment. Yeah i mentioned in that thread we dont have real backgrounds yet. were in the process of getting them. thats just some canvas i had for crafts that I threw up behind them so thats as long as i could get it. I would have definately gotten them farther away had i had a real like 20 foot background to work with. thanks again. |
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07/26/2006 11:17:11 AM · #192 |
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
my first studio(ish) shots
I didnt get much help on my own in the forums so my husband recommended this thread. any suggestions of what to do differently/better? |
You have some very cute kids, and it looks like they were having fun.
It appears that some of the shots are a little underexposed. If you shoot in RAW, then you can adjust exposure before converting to TIFF, or whichever format you choose for editing. Even a minor Levels or Brightness & Contrast adjustment will punch up the JPGs that you posted.
It also looks like the skin tones have too much magenta. You might want to try setting your camera's white balance prior to shooting, or you can adjust later this in post. Here's a short SmugMug article that explains it and provides a couple ways to fix it. Getting great prints: Pleasing skin tone
You might try posing them on a bunch of large, overstuffed pillows or cushions. Maybe throw in some big, colorful baloons too.
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07/26/2006 11:23:15 AM · #193 |
thanks for the link! I did shoot in raw so I can change those things. I changed some to "portrait" setting when i processed the RAW and left some as is to see if people would notice or mention the diff, and see which they preferred. the portrait setting ones are much more magenta colored. but the standard ones seem maybe kinda cold or grey/blue. I'll definately work on the exposure. is there good way to know if its exposed correctly? levels? or is it just something you come to recognize in time?
edited for spelling
Message edited by author 2006-07-26 11:23:43. |
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07/26/2006 11:34:50 AM · #194 |
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
thanks for the link! I did shoot in raw so I can change those things. I changed some to "portrait" setting when i processed the RAW and left some as is to see if people would notice or mention the diff, and see which they preferred. the portrait setting ones are much more magenta colored. but the standard ones seem maybe kinda cold or grey/blue. I'll definately work on the exposure. is there good way to know if its exposed correctly? levels? or is it just something you come to recognize in time?
edited for spelling |
This may help:
Setting Correct Exposure & White Balance
Personally, I just look at the camera's histogram.
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07/26/2006 04:32:01 PM · #195 |
Originally posted by micknewton:
[quote=jaded_youth] thanks for the link! I did shoot in raw so I can change those things. I changed some to "portrait" setting when i processed the RAW and left some as is to see if people would notice or mention the diff, and see which they preferred. the portrait setting ones are much more magenta colored. but the standard ones seem maybe kinda cold or grey/blue. I'll definately work on the exposure. is there good way to know if its exposed correctly? levels? or is it just something you come to recognize in time?
edited for spelling |
This may help:
Setting Correct Exposure & White Balance
Personally, I just look at the camera's histogram. [/quote
im still not sure what thats supposed to look like. large spikes at each end. a steady amount from side to side. just a small spike at each end? im pretty sure it shouldnt be too heavy on either side right? man I have a lot to learn.
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07/26/2006 05:01:09 PM · #196 |
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
im still not sure what thats supposed to look like. large spikes at each end. a steady amount from side to side. just a small spike at each end? im pretty sure it shouldnt be too heavy on either side right? man I have a lot to learn. |
These two articles may help:
Understanding Histograms
Expose to the Right
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07/26/2006 05:10:12 PM · #197 |
| Oh, WoW. I was toatally off base. those links at first glance at least make it look like the histogram to shoot for would have the most action in the mid section with no real spikes on the ends. My histograms always seem to go up alot on the ends. this info should really help. me. Thank You so much! |
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07/26/2006 07:19:00 PM · #198 |
great thread cindi :)
However, one thing that I would really like to see more of, is studio setup shots for specific portraits :)
You know the kind where you take a couple of steps back and include the whole scene, including lights, reflectors, backdrop etc. in the frame to better illustrate how specific effects are achieved. |
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07/26/2006 08:14:00 PM · #199 |
Cindi, thank you thank you for your suggestions. I was finally able to get the white background the way I wanted it - moved the subject away from the backdrop, moved my main light back, pointed the other strobe at the backdrop and bingo! I had a client who needed some very corporate shots and they turned out the way I wanted them, he was happy with them too.
I think they show his personality too - he's a bank manager :-) Only joking he's a really nice guy...
Here are two from the shoot - the second I added the colored background in photoshop. There is a little spill from the backdrop light, perhaps I should have used barndoors, what do you think? Any other comments?
 
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
Oh, WoW. I was toatally off base. those links at first glance at least make it look like the histogram to shoot for would have the most action in the mid section with no real spikes on the ends. My histograms always seem to go up alot on the ends. this info should really help. me. Thank You so much! |
I hate to complicate things but its not quite as simple as avoiding spikes at the ends. If you have an image like my first one above you expect a big spike on the right - thats what a large white area looks like. If you had one with a black background you expect a big spike on the left. If the image has very little white or black then you don't want spikes at the ends.... |
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07/26/2006 10:42:58 PM · #200 |
A few golden nuggets I ran across and thought I should share. The weblinks in particular are well worth the read even if you've been shooting for years.
Lower the main light for babies, small children, or older people when you want to minimize facial wrinkles
Your fill light should be about three or four times weaker than your main light. This will keep you in the neighborhood of a normal portrait lighting ratio of about 3:1 or 4:1. A 3:1 ratio means that the difference between the main light and the fill light will be about 1 2/3 stops. A 4:1 ratio will be a 2-stop difference
Taking the Mystery Out of Lighting.... Zucker
Transformations With Portrait Lighting.... BlackDiamondProductions
Zuga Lighting Styles
Now - to catch up on some critiques
Crystal: Between the two threads I think you got some great advice and tips regarding your shoot. Your kids are sooooooooooooooooooooo cute!! I'd be shooting them every day! As was mentioned, definitely pull them farther from the bg, and while you are building the studio space you should go ahead and order a light meter. I swear it changed my life. No more guessing on exposures. I like that you let the kids play, children are far too busy to sit for a formal portrait and the more natural expressions make for much better portraits. I would love to see some shots of your studio space when you get it all together. 'Grats on the ABs, you'll love them.
Margie: This a great shot of Brie. I like the pose and angle for added interest and the lighting is soft and looks very nice on her skin. What I'm not loving though is the sharpness of the image. It looks a bit soft. Did you sharpen with post processing? You probably should because its only missing a bit, and a touch of contrast. May I ask what lens you used for that shot, cause some lenses are sharper than others. Here's my go at a quick edit:  All I did was to add +8 contrast and unsharp mask at 168/1/0
Mick: Great link, thanks for adding it. :)
Jabo: So glad you're reading along and learning... I will try to add more of those type set-up shots. I have a senior session tomorrow, will try to back up and take a few shots from time to time. :)
Leo: I'm so glad my suggestions helped your portraits. The two you posted look much better. You should be quite happy with the improvement! As for the light spill, yeah, you'll have to modify the bg light a bit so that it doesn't spill over. I used to use a large piece of carboard taped to one side of the bg light - I now have a "bg light modifier" from Alien Bees. It works great. As for the shots posted, since there is some spill, try using the burn tool to darken those areas a touch to make the spill less noticable. Something like this quick go:  I sharpened just a touch, added +6 contrast and burned down the left side of his jacket and face to lessesn the light spill. What 'cha think?
Cindi
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