First Studio Shot! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

02/11/2006 01:27:38 AM · #1

Well, here is one of my first attempts at a "studio portrait".

Please take some time to critique it so that I may improve this and others in the future. Any ideas for shooting and/or pp would be very appreciated. I will return comment for comment.

Scott

fotomann_forever

02/11/2006 01:33:20 AM · #2

Left a cooment... btw... very good exposure for first strobe attempt.

ChrisW123

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

02/11/2006 01:33:30 AM · #3

The light is too strong on the right and too dark on the left. And she shouldn't be looking up and to the right. Just my opinion, I won't claim to be an expert portrait photographer, but that is my first impression of the shot.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/11/2006 01:55:44 AM · #4

The shot has an interesting feel to it. I like the tug of war between light and dark, but would take it to the next extreme by just adding a soft mood filter to it to make it a little more pronounced.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/11/2006 10:12:44 AM · #5

Yeah, I agree. I do like that soft mood filter better. Thanks for the idea.

What about adding a catchlight to the eye. How is that achieved?

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/11/2006 10:18:21 AM · #6

Use a small dodge/burn brush with hard edges and you could dodge a catch light where needed.

Message edited by author 2006-02-11 10:20:52.

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

02/11/2006 10:54:49 AM · #7

I added a cathlight to her left eye. I figured it was probably inappropriate to add it to her right in the shadow.

I've been trying to recreate the soft mood filter, but can't figure it out. How is that achieved in photoshop?

TomH1000

Olympus E-3

02/11/2006 11:01:06 AM · #8

Originally posted by traquino98:

Well, here is one of my first attempts at a "studio portrait".

Please take some time to critique it so that I may improve this and others in the future. Any ideas for shooting and/or pp would be very appreciated. I will return comment for comment.

Scott

This is a good way to start. Start with one light source and get good at it. I would also add a reflector to bounce some of the light on the other side of the face. Also, shoot with ISO 100 and a smaller f stop to get a little more DOF. Waiting to see your next try.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/11/2006 11:16:08 AM · #9

Simple soft filter...

I'm not using PS (I'm using Digital Image Pro) but the theory is the same.

Duplicate entire photo to a new layer
Apply Gaussian Blur (10-12) to that top layer
Apply even (45-50%) transparency to that blurred layer Bring as much detail back as you see fit.
Flatten

or Xero Graphics Free PS Filters set two has an excellent softmood PS Filter. All these guys free filters work wonderfully.

Message edited by author 2006-02-11 11:29:28.

front_element

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/11/2006 11:16:40 AM · #10

As a rule of thumb, the portraits have more 'character' when the shadow cast by the key light fall 'towards the camera'.

In this case it would mean putting the light source on the other side of the model, casting a shadow onto the left side of her face.

front_element

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/11/2006 11:19:09 AM · #11

Here is a lovely example of the principle I mentioned in my previous posting..

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=287968

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/11/2006 11:20:51 AM · #12

Lighting can be done in a million ways. Shadows can be cast any side you want. Some people prefer broad side lighting, some short side. It depends on the model and their features. This looks good.

front_element

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/11/2006 11:28:17 AM · #13

Originally posted by ignite:

Lighting can be done in a million ways. Shadows can be cast any side you want. Some people prefer broad side lighting, some short side. It depends on the model and their features. This looks good.

What you say is true of course ignite. Rules are made to be broken as they say.

I would suggest that it sometime helps to work with the 'rules' for a while before developing a style of ones own.

awpollard this link may have some useful info for you...

//www.garageglamour.com/tips/articles/chiaroscuro/chiaroscuro.php

02/11/2006 02:37:48 PM · #14

Well, here is my first go with the attempted soft filter effect. How does it look?

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/11/2006 02:43:45 PM · #15

And here is another one I tried today. I think I did better with the even lighting this time.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

02/11/2006 03:00:54 PM · #16

the one from today looks great! :0)
I was reading a tutorial a while ago on the soft focus effect and you want to make a duplicate layer of the highlights and blur just that. This keeps your image from looking out of focus- keeping the detail in the shadows!
Anyways, I thought it was a great tip. here's my try at that...

magnus

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

02/11/2006 04:06:16 PM · #17

I like this second one much better. The light is more even without feeling flat. The subtle smile makes an interesting expression and the skin texture is also very good. My only nit to pick is the almost burned out left collar.

02/11/2006 05:08:21 PM · #18

Originally posted by oOWonderBreadOo:

Wow. I really like your attempt, and awpollards as well. Both are still better than mine by far. It's been a while since I did something like this, but if I recall, isn't it like Ctrl+Alt+~ to select all of the highlights to copy to a new layer? If not, what is the correct key stroke for that?