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11/12/2004 11:29:34 PM · #1 |
The whole family has been sick this week. I got some new equipment (background supports, seamless paper, gels, new light, etc) and needed to test some of them out before running off to shoot so we all roused ourselves out of our sickbeds, hosed off and sat down for about 30 minutes of family portraits. I learned one thing about using plexi as a reflective surface; move it as far back into the composition as possible. I also learned that a sick little girl must have her nose wiped an ungodly number of times.
I shot this with SavageWhite seamless paper, 3 lights (all AlienBees B800's, one key, one fill and one kicker aimed at the background), the kicker had a gel to color the background, used the Canon EF 17-40 f/4 L lens on all these shots as we weren't trying for headshots. I used 1/4" clear plexiglass for the family to stand, sit and play on to both protect the paper from tearing under the vicious hobby horse, rocking chair and heels (hehe) and also to provide some reflective surface. Most shots were metered a 1/200th sec, ISO 100 and f/8 or so. One or two crawled up to f/5.6 or 6.3 but they were both too bright and lost some of the color on the background.
With no further ado, here they are. Thanks for your comments.
Thanks again,
Kev
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11/12/2004 11:56:45 PM · #2 |
Interesting idea there with the plexiglass. I would have avoided reflection and instead you embraced it ... and to good effect too. I like how it adds a little something to the pictures.
Nice lighting too. I just got some studio lights yesterday. I can already tell that I have a *lot* to learn.
So keep on posting ... I think I learn something new every time you post something! :-)
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11/13/2004 12:19:52 AM · #3 |
Great job Kev. I'm working on getting some backgrounds myself. You're really getting good with the lighting.
All are good, but this my favorite. Such a pure look on her face.
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11/13/2004 12:24:27 AM · #4 |
The lighting is really good on the subject, but it is a bit distracting in the background on the side. Does it have a blue tint or is it just me?
Cute family! |
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11/13/2004 12:28:11 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Sonifo:
The lighting is really good on the subject, but it is a bit distracting in the background on the side. Does it have a blue tint or is it just me?
Cute family! |
I think he's using a blue gel on the background light.
Edit: To give a gradient effect.
Message edited by author 2004-11-13 00:28:47.
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11/13/2004 02:52:04 AM · #6 |
| is my favorite. She looks like a runway model. You did a good job with the lighting but I guess I'm not a big fan of the color of the background. But it is nice that you used a gel to get the color and it didn't effect the color balance of your wife and daughter. |
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11/13/2004 03:19:10 AM · #7 |
Nice pics, I like the effect the background has, but the subjects just generally look too dark. You know how the eye usually gravitates to the brightest part of the image? (Hence, the old guideline not to put bright areas right on the edge of the frame.) If the subject was brighter I think it would be better.
edit: but I think this one has the best lighting, it's a little brighter than some of them:
Message edited by author 2004-11-13 03:19:59. |
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11/13/2004 08:10:14 AM · #8 |
Hi Kevin!
I'm on my way out the door, but I wanted to comment on these really quickly.
First, thanks for posting some shots with plexiglass -- I've been considering getting some myself, but haven't found any 4'x8' sheets of it yet. Is your clears/transparent? I wonder if opaque white would be "slightly reflective" without being overly reflective? Obviously that would only work for true "high key" shots where the background was pure white and not colored with gels. Are you finding the plexi to scratch easily?
Second, one thing I notice in some of the shots is distortion from the use of the wide-angle lens. It is very apparent in the first shot, 685_8551, which makes me think it was intentional, but also in some of the others, like 685_8519, which makes your lovely wife's feet look bigger than they really are (compare to the size of her head, for example). Just wanted to point it out because it is something that I've been bitten by myself, and although it can be used for "effect", most people find it more pleasing when they are represented in the correct "proportions".
Other than the already mentioned "background too bright" (again, could be the effect you were going for), nice shoot, especially considering you just "hosed off from the sickbeds!" :-) :-) |
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11/13/2004 09:23:59 AM · #9 |
Kevin great shots, I like the blue light for the background and the plexiglass effect. The back edge of the plexiglass can be distracting in some of the shots, so only experimentation will tell you which is better. I would probably try to get the main lights a tad brighter, the background light is a tad brighter (being reflected from a white suurface) and distracting - so reduce the background light or increase the main light. Also the 17-40 is probably not the best choice for a portrait lens, distortions are very obvious in
especially when shooting at a slight angle from the top down, the head gets bigger and the legs very small.
Love the plexiglass effect though! Great looking family!
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11/13/2004 09:42:04 AM · #10 |
| Great looking family , very good shots , but I didnt like the background very distracting |
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