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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> First few results shooting with lights
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Showing posts 1 - 8 of 8, (reverse)
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03/20/2008 08:51:01 PM · #1
All I have done with these is slight levels adjustment and made some black and white. I haven't cropped as I dont know what sizes my cusotmers want. Let me know what you think and which areas I can improve in. The little girl didn't want to leave her mummy so I have her mums shoulder in most shots. The little boy in blue is a cutie but also wouldn't laugh or smile. Then there is the other boy who couldn't stop smiling. They are all so cute.
03/20/2008 09:16:51 PM · #2
They seem very posed and unnatural.
Also the lighting is pretty flat and unflattering, perhaps if you have a large softbox or two you could bring these in nice and close, turn the power down abit and get some nice big catchlights in those eyes.
Also goofing around to get them laughing or even getting the parents two would improve them no end. If you are going to use a white background i would be tempted to dodge it out afterwards in photoshop to clean the image up, as they look quite amateur with sheets hanging in the background.
03/20/2008 09:23:30 PM · #3
One of your lights needs to be stronger than the other. This will give it a more directional quality. Bringing it in close will help keep it soft (it's the size of the light source, in relation to the subject, which makes the light soft ... not the brightness of it).

Add a few more feet between them and the background to blur the background. Then, if you want the background to be white, point one of your lights directly at the background (close to the BG) to blow it out, otherwise the BG will go gray.

03/21/2008 12:21:57 AM · #4
Originally posted by Ben:

They seem very posed and unnatural.
Also the lighting is pretty flat and unflattering, perhaps if you have a large softbox or two you could bring these in nice and close, turn the power down abit and get some nice big catchlights in those eyes.
Also goofing around to get them laughing or even getting the parents two would improve them no end. If you are going to use a white background i would be tempted to dodge it out afterwards in photoshop to clean the image up, as they look quite amateur with sheets hanging in the background.


The babies are only 3 months old so I'm not sure how to pose them any more naturally as all they can do is lie on their tummy. The one in blue could barely do that. Do you have some suggestion regarding how to pose babies. I do realise with the girl it's not great but she wouldn't leave mum no matter what so I had to do the best I could there. I only have 2 flash lights with umbrellas so I have to get good results with what I have. I will play with the power settings a bit to see what difference it makes. When you mention to dodge the backdrop what effect am I trying to get. Smooth out the creases or soften it?
03/21/2008 12:25:29 AM · #5
Originally posted by dwterry:

One of your lights needs to be stronger than the other. This will give it a more directional quality. Bringing it in close will help keep it soft (it's the size of the light source, in relation to the subject, which makes the light soft ... not the brightness of it).

Add a few more feet between them and the background to blur the background. Then, if you want the background to be white, point one of your lights directly at the background (close to the BG) to blow it out, otherwise the BG will go gray.


Thanks for the one light stronger than the other suggestion. Will give it a go. Didn't realise about bringing the light in closer to keep it soft. Will try that too. I am a bit restricted in regards to distance as I am working in a small room. What sort of distance should I have between the subject and the background to get a decent blur.

So much to try out now. Hope I get another customer early next week to try all of these suggestions out.
03/28/2008 08:26:43 PM · #6
Hi Monique,

Hope you don't mind, I've had a try at improving one of those photos. My photoshop skills aren't much good and I've loads still to learn (enjoying it so much though).
Dodged out much of the background and warmed up and brought out his features.

IMHO I like it a lot more - any thoughts?



robby
03/28/2008 10:04:20 PM · #7

Monique, I think you did a very good job.

Its hard to photograph babies and small children. Esp when they are afraid to be away from their moms!

Try getting some silly toys, like squeeky rubber ducks, feather dusters, bright toys..etc.. to distract them enough to smile and engage you. it helps them forget about the camera. Even if you can only get them smiling a few times, you can capture it.

Its hard adjusting the lights and getting them right, especially when you dont have a permanent place to set them up. I have had my lights for 4 months now and still trying to get them right!
03/28/2008 11:42:05 PM · #8
I'm looking at getting some lights - what's your setup and how do you like it?
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