Portrait Lighting -- Learning Thread

07/27/2006 12:28:14 AM · #202

Originally posted by jabo:

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.

Yeah, what jabo said... I'd love to see the setups that people are using.
I'll take a picture of mine tomorrow.

margiemu

Canon EOS-20D

07/27/2006 12:46:53 AM · #203

Originally posted by idnic:

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

Cindi

Thanks, Cindi. I hadn't done any post processing yet. I tend to forget the power of PS sometimes. This does look better Ã�

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/28/2006 09:18:54 AM · #204

Hi guys. I posted the results of yesterday's senior session in this thread: Asheley's Senior Session

I appologize upfront for not stepping back & shooting the studio a few times during the shoot - I had a stage-mom in attendance that threw me off a bit. There wasn't much to the set-up really. My lighting was placed exactally as the diagrams below. The only change was an extra reflector used under her chin in a few of the shots for a more glamorous lighting effect. The outdoor shots were taken in shady areas with a single reflector to direct the light.

This one is my favorite:

dale99

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/31/2006 02:27:37 PM · #205

Cindi, I just wanted to say thank you for starting and continuing this thread. I just found it last week and have found it immensely helpful and instructive. I hope it stays alive.

If I'm right that you live in Jacksonville, I grew up in Jax Beach myself....former surf bum.

Anyhow, thanks again for your work on this thread.

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

07/31/2006 02:36:37 PM · #206

Welcome to the thread, Dale. Glad you're finding it useful and informative. Feel free to post a few shots as you try out new tricks.

alfresco

Nikon D700

07/31/2006 03:31:03 PM · #207

A couple of available light candidportraits

alfresco

Nikon D700

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

07/31/2006 10:16:30 PM · #208

I broke cindi's thread :(

To save her the time I'll help out:

Originally posted by idnic:

JP, please remove your 'portraits' and sell your camera - you're cluttering my thread

08/01/2006 01:55:52 AM · #209

Originally posted by alfresco:

I broke cindi's thread :(

To save her the time I'll help out:
Originally posted by idnic:
JP, please remove your 'portraits' and sell your camera - you're cluttering my thread

LOL I did not say that! Hey, JP! Welcome to the Portrait Lighting thread! :D I've never known you to shoot people much, nice to see ya branching out ;)

Both of the images you posted look great, JP. The faces fill the frame nicely, poses look natural, expressions genuine and the lighting on both looks soft and flattering. Great job, Nikonian, keep it up!

08/01/2006 02:27:34 AM · #210

I thought I would share the lighting details of this shot because it was by far the most tricky lighting (and processing) situation I have encountered so far (in portraits).

Firstly - HUGE set-up, most of which is described in the notes on the challenge entry but doesn't really mention the 3 days of clean-up that still hasn't completely ridded my house of gold glitter! And she IS dressed!

Once we got her ready, I shot Savanah in several poses. Each time I moved her though, we got new cracks in the glue, so we had to make very small minimal adjustments toward the end of shooting. I metered her because I wasn't sure how reflective all of that gold would be and realized I needed to turn my lights waaaaaaay back. But.... Had to keep the shutter speed up so.... I put the 24" softbox slightly to my right, 5 foot tall reflector ($45 on ebay) is standing about 18" in front of her face to reflect the softbox without adding another light there, umbrella high and behind me for a little fill and background light washing across the muslin (I really should have centered it, but wasn't thinking, fixed that in processing).

Processing was a bear. First of all I had to do it 3 times. First time was just goofing with the image while I was on the phone. Liked the results when I'd finished, but had no idea what exactlly I'd done lol. second time I edited it we had a lightning storm and power went out after about 4 hours of work and just as I was finishing, and no, I hadn't saved. So I frikin did it again. Probably have 8 hours invested in that image lol God I have too much free time. I started by burning the background edges to force the focus back to the model (that was my lighting mistake), then used clone and heal to fix the places where the glitter hadn't stuck or cracked. That was the major work, after that some toning and contrast, selective sharpening (OMG don't every USM glitter!! LOL) Anyway, never edited quite so much for a challenge entry, SC, I didn't go too far did I? This is the original.

Edit to catch a few of my late-night typos

Message edited by author 2006-08-01 02:28:17.

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/01/2006 09:16:28 AM · #211

bump

scarbrd

Leica M10

08/01/2006 09:36:23 AM · #212

Cindi - I think this is one of your strongest images I've seen, regardless of the score relative to other entries. Your studio techniques are becoming a major asset in your skill set.

Thanks for the details.

Now, go clean up some more glitter!

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/01/2006 09:55:57 AM · #213

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Thanks, Steve! What a lovely comment. You've made my morning! And no, I don't think my house or studio will ever be completely rid of gold glitter..... and I won't even begin to tell ya what happened to her shower! lol

scarbrd

Leica M10

08/01/2006 10:04:02 AM · #214

Originally posted by idnic:

Originally posted by scarbrd:
Cindi - I think this is one of your strongest images I've seen, regardless of the score relative to other entries. Your studio techniques are becoming a major asset in your skill set.

Thanks for the details.

Now, go clean up some more glitter!

Thanks, Steve! What a lovely comment. You've made my morning! And no, I don't think my house or studio will ever be completely rid of gold glitter..... and I won't even begin to tell ya what happened to her shower! lol

It's David. Steve is my brother, people confuse is all the time! ;-) (Really, my bother's name is Steve!)

I have an idea for Stop Action that could get messy. I am having trouble getting buy in from my wife.

I keep telling her, "This is ART, damn it!"

Then she rolls her eyes.

08/01/2006 10:07:10 AM · #215

Originally posted by scarbrd:

It's David.......

LMAO I know your name dammit!
Sorry, David. I guess Steve been on my mind too much this morning.

You might need to offer some incentive for your wife... jewlery is nice..... :D
Savanah was ALMOST grounded when she so nicely volunteered to shoot with me last week. It went far to ease my anger heheee

Message edited by author 2006-08-01 10:07:35.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/01/2006 10:09:21 AM · #216

wow cindi, that looks awesome!!

cfischl

Canon EOS-40D

08/01/2006 01:48:04 PM · #217

Yesterday I had a photo shoot of sorts with one of my good friends. He has more style than just about anybody I know so I thought a some photos of him would make a nice addition to my portfolio. Anyways, here are a few of them. I will upload a some more when I get done editing them. I hung up a sheet on the wall and put one on the floor for the background. Photos were lit with three lamps from around the house and my flash with lightsphere. As always, comments and critiques are greatly appreciated.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/01/2006 03:23:31 PM · #218

Hey Charles! Great shoot with your friend. I can't believe your lighting looks so nice with lamps. Now that's tallent! You're bg light is a bit bright on the first one, but the others look fine.

This one is my favorite. I hope you don't mind, but I did a quick process.... +6 contrast, USM at 60/1/0 and slightly desaturated reds for a more even skintone. Here is my quickie version.

dale99

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/01/2006 04:13:28 PM · #219

I've normally only shot available light for portraits but am trying to learn studio lighting (which is why I've found this thread really helpful). The photo above was shot using a bounced strobe with small diffuser. Too "hot" for my tastes, but certainly more pop than available light. I'm going to try and make/buy some inexpensive lights and softboxes like the ones mentioned in one of the links Cindi posted....but in the meantime....I'd welcome any criticism or comments.

cfischl

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/01/2006 04:43:31 PM · #220

Originally posted by idnic:

Hey Charles! Great shoot with your friend. I can't believe your lighting looks so nice with lamps. Now that's tallent! You're bg light is a bit bright on the first one, but the others look fine.

Don't give me more credit than I deserve. The background is not completely white in the orginal photos. A little bit of photoshop does the trick though.

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG for Pentax

08/01/2006 04:53:46 PM · #221

Originally posted by dale99:

You're right that the light is a bit hot, Dale. The direction of the light is also causing distracting shadows, like underneath her legs. I think you have a fine start, however and some upgraded equipment, even homemade, should be really helpful. Thanks for joining the thread.

Leok

Pentax K10D

08/01/2006 07:58:33 PM · #222

Originally posted by idnic:

I thought I would share the lighting details of this shot because it was by far the most tricky lighting (and processing) situation I have encountered so far (in portraits).

Wow what a fantastic image Cindi. Its amazing what kids will do to get out of being grounded :-) The original shot is very good and the post processing is amazing. It really was worth the effort you put in, you had terrible luck with the power failure etc. but the final image shows your dedication, talent and vision. I especially like the look of the fabric in the final image it suits the pose so well. Did it need special attention in post processing to get it that gold?

Thats the great thing about this community - people like you are so willing to share and help everyone learn. I didn't realise how much post processing was done to photos to get them picture perfect until joining DPC. Thanks for sharing.

margiemu

Canon EOS-20D

08/02/2006 01:23:23 AM · #223

Your gold entry is amazing, Cindi! I'm amazed that it didn't score higher. But then I often am. Nice job! I'll have to keep the photo shoot as a means of getting out of being grounded thing in mind.... Maybe that can be the new 'punishment' around here Ã�. YOu hit your sister?? That will be half an hour posing for mom!