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10/13/2006 06:54:24 PM · #1 |
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10/14/2006 10:38:41 AM · #2 |
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10/14/2006 10:52:19 AM · #3 |
Morning kashi.
Someones havin' a bebee! Congrats, exciting time and a real blessing.
The first shot is bright, oof and over exposed.
The second is much better lighting but still a bit oof. I think the crop is tight on the right side her arm is just barely in the frame. This would be okay if you cropped down the whole shot and made it tight over all. Perhaps having her wear a more contrasting color and softening the light would help if you can re-shoot these. She's really fair skinned so I think color would be important in shooting her. Or you could try black and white-? Lighting is the key here.
That's the way I see them. |
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10/14/2006 11:08:38 AM · #4 |
Hi Kashi, gotta agree with Justine here on all her points - especially the congratulations!
In the first - the selective desat draws attention the top instead of the belly. Since it's a maternity shot, I'm assuming you'd want the focus on the belly...so I'd get rid of the selective desat and just go black and white.
I have a couple of tips for a re-shoot: First, do what you can to smooth out the wrinkles in the backdrop. I use pony clips to stretch the middle, but clothespins would work as well if the material is not too heavy.
Then, get at least 4 feet away from it, farther if you can. The smoother it is to begin with and the farther you are away from it the easier it is to use DOF to blur the wrinkles during the shoot and then you can follow up with burn tools in PP to get the rest out.
Next, choose outfit with care. For what it looks like you were attempting to accomplish, matching the top to the bottom would work a little better. Try a black (or dark) tank with your pants. This way, there won't be competing elements with the belly.
Lastly, lighting. I'm not sure what you are using now, but it's not quite right. Try a single light source from the side. Without seeing your set-up, start with the body at a 45 degree angle to the camera, and the light source at 4 o'clock. Envision the center of the backdrop at high noon, the camera is a 6'clock, and your body is in the center. Experiment with body angle and the light source between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock to get a more dramatic shadow and lighting effect.
Improved focus can be achieved by placing a chair or something where you plan to stand, and pre-focusing on that spot and get your camera settings sorted. After that, replace the chair with yourself and start shooting.
Good luck!
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10/14/2006 11:24:47 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by L2:
Hi Kashi, gotta agree with Justine here on all her points - especially the congratulations!
In the first - the selective desat draws attention the top instead of the belly. Since it's a maternity shot, I'm assuming you'd want the focus on the belly...so I'd get rid of the selective desat and just go black and white. |
I'll try b&w for the next set of photos. I actually used the selective desat because my skin was WAY too red (that's natural for me, just ugly).
Originally posted by L2:
I have a couple of tips for a re-shoot: First, do what you can to smooth out the wrinkles in the backdrop. I use pony clips to stretch the middle, but clothespins would work as well if the material is not too heavy. |
It's just a black sheet - very lightweight. I'll see if I can't fasten the bottom to something (the top is on a rope going across the room).
Originally posted by L2:
Then, get at least 4 feet away from it, farther if you can. The smoother it is to begin with and the farther you are away from it the easier it is to use DOF to blur the wrinkles during the shoot and then you can follow up with burn tools in PP to get the rest out. |
Can't get far away - I'm working with a total of about 8' tops from backdrop to camera, with no room to stretch it out (our living room - we live in a small apartment). I might be able to manage an extra foot though - I think I was about 2' away as it was.
Originally posted by L2:
Next, choose outfit with care. For what it looks like you were attempting to accomplish, matching the top to the bottom would work a little better. Try a black (or dark) tank with your pants. This way, there won't be competing elements with the belly. |
Gotcha - wear the black top instead. It was in the wash yesterday - should be dry by now though. Definitely would look much better.
Originally posted by L2:
Lastly, lighting. I'm not sure what you are using now, but it's not quite right. Try a single light source from the side. Without seeing your set-up, start with the body at a 45 degree angle to the camera, and the light source at 4 o'clock. Envision the center of the backdrop at high noon, the camera is a 6'clock, and your body is in the center. Experiment with body angle and the light source between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock to get a more dramatic shadow and lighting effect. |
Lighting was just the light coming in from the window in the living room - it's HUGE. It's on the (looking at the photos) the right, about 7 or 8 feet away from me. I think one of the photos (can't recall which now) I'd used the flash on too, but not on purpose (forgot to turn it off)
Originally posted by L2:
Improved focus can be achieved by placing a chair or something where you plan to stand, and pre-focusing on that spot and get your camera settings sorted. After that, replace the chair with yourself and start shooting. |
Good point - I try to use my hubby for focusing if he's home - but I was alone yesterday. Using a chair or other non-human subject didn't even cross my mind. I'll try that for sure.
Thank you !
Good luck! [/quote]
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