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03/21/2011 10:57:58 AM · #1 |
All critique would be gratefully appreciated no matter how harsh, as long as you can comment how I could improve it for next time.
Chris_001
Set Up Summary:-
- 60" Umbrella - Reflective cover removed, but shot as reflective, i.e. not shoot through.
- YN-560 Flash @ Full Power
- Nikon D90
- Nikkor 35mm, f1.8 G lens @ 50mm (crop factor) f5.0
- ISO 200
- Shutter Speed 1/200
- Light position - face on, model/camera high
(No Post Processing has been done because I am not sure what/how to do that would improve it in aperture 3 or elements yet). Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.
I had one option only with the light source, I was shooting into the tunnel which was only a little higher than Chris, about 6ft in total. I had a 60" umbrella and shot it cover off, reflective side, so not shoot through. About a 5th of the umbrella was higher than the tunnel roof so I had to set it up just outside the entrance to the tunnel. Chris is about 2-3 meters or so into the tunnel while I am position under the light source. The path towards the tunnel was a downward gradient so moving the umbrella back would have raised it higher.
My Considerations:-
I had a play with the different levels and angles of the umbrella. To high and it would not pick up the roof, to low and if would fire to far down the tunnel.
I wanted to get the flash to fire down the tunnel just past Chris and to filter off. I achieved this but not sure how much I like the result yet.
I wanted to use the walls and roof as lead in lines.
I wasn't sure what or how to work with the wall lights and annoyingly I positioned Chris with his ear intersecting one. Point to learn, watch all scene for composition. I was more focused on the light to subject distance as I was on full power.
I eventually workout my exposure as above detailed above. One thing I have learn is next time to work out what I think is my correct exposure on the camera LCD, then move up and down at 3rd increments to about +/- 1 stop and then compare the results of the LCD to my laptop screen.
My Thoughts:-
I am partly happy with this image because it is what I set out for. I don't think Chris stands out enough from the background, I also think he looks too flat on the image. I am not sure how I would improve this, If re-shot.
I don't like his pose, I let him work that one out, so I need to learn how to pose models for better images and light.
As mentioned before the lights were a pain so I need to compensate better in my composition.
Message edited by author 2011-03-21 11:11:14. |
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03/21/2011 11:01:57 AM · #2 |
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03/21/2011 11:02:48 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by Louis:
Where's the picture? |
I am trying to upload it, for some reason the url link is not showing up on the post. I the file is in flickr. |
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03/21/2011 11:05:54 AM · #4 |
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03/21/2011 11:06:39 AM · #5 |
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03/21/2011 11:07:49 AM · #6 |
| i'm just learning off camera myself but it seems to me this shot would be greatly improved by a second flash behind him pointed down the tunnel and the key not at full power |
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03/21/2011 11:07:52 AM · #7 |
OK guys, how on earth did you do all that. I only managed to put it in my DPC gallery and then put a link to it.
How do I get the thumbnail link to appear? |
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03/21/2011 11:11:52 AM · #8 |
| Nevermind, worked out how to do it from my DPC gallery, i'm not very bright today. |
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03/21/2011 11:22:39 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
i'm just learning off camera myself but it seems to me this shot would be greatly improved by a second flash behind him pointed down the tunnel and the key not at full power |
Cheers for your comments. I agree 100%. I have just learnt that from a youtube clip and will try it next time. I will be doing a re-shoot with Chris so I am coming up with ideas to improve and get a before and after.
Matt |
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03/21/2011 11:31:25 AM · #10 |
Hi Chris,
Several things come to mind right away - but keep in mind that I am far from an expert. Just been playing with lighting recently.
The good:
Both your location and model are excellent choices - very interesting subjects.
You DID manage to light his face rather evenly, and get a bit of detail behind him in the tunnel.
Room for improvement:
Pose - you can NEVER allow a model to figure out their own pose - unless they are a supermodel, and even then, they have to comply with your vision (unless you're just getting paid obscene amounts of money to just press the shutter :-) In this particular situation, Chris is just too large for the space. He should have been kneeling/crouching/bending/sitting on a rock/stool/something, to make him fit in the frame better. He also needs to have an attitude towards the camera, either deliberately looking away, or looking at the camera. And if away, with the face up enough to be able to see it.
Also, - if he's that tall and there's nowhere to sit, etc., YOU crouch down and get a "bigger than life" effect of him with the upward tilt of your camera. Even the opposite could have worked: you up on a stool shooting downward at him. Would have made the tunnel portion shallower, but it's an option. (The notes say that the camera was high, but it doesn't appear to be angled down.) Use what you have!
Wardrobe - a black jacket in a black tunnel....??? Really? God (and great images) are in the details!!!! You have to put some thought into what you want the finished product to look like. And you have to plan for everything. Bring double everything if you're on location. One may rip, soil, fly away, not fit...
Lighting. I envision several scenarios: If it was pretty bright out, use a bouncer for fill on his face, and a light behind him into the tunnel. Or you could use two light sources (one behind him, one off camera at an angle in front of him), and a bouncer for fill on the opposite side. I think the tunnel (which is fabulous, btw) was sadly underused. Chris is a big and interesting enough character to hold his own, not to mention that he takes up a lot of real estate.
Just one person's opinion... |
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03/21/2011 12:14:40 PM · #11 |
I am uncomfortable with the landscape orientation. Unless you really have something going, my opinion is that it's a mistake in this photo. Everything begs for verticality in the frame -- the pointed ceiling, the upgright model, the lines on the walls. Landscape can work for such an image, but only when there is a very good reason for it, and only when your skill at composition exceeds the intimidation you feel about a particular setup/model/light arrangement, etc. The landscape orientation is further weakened by the dead-centre aspect. Again, it can work, but there needs to be a good reason.
Consider the photo below. Cramped space (albeit larger than yours), dark conditions, weird room layout. To utilize it best, I had the model pose unconventionally, facing away from the lens and toward the available light. I tilted the camera to get the best out of the unusual room shape, and I had the model off-centre. Whereas I don't claim it to be a perfect image, it would have been less interesting with a standard, centred composition, with model standing upright facing the camera. The point, I think, is to use the environment to your advantage in an interesting or unsuspected way, and to enhance the capabilities of your model to suite the environment.
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03/21/2011 12:26:04 PM · #12 |
| The lighting and the location seem to be pretty good. But his pose is extremely awkward. Almost like he wasn't ready for the camera to go off. Also you need to back up get a little farther away from your subject or get him a little farther away from you. As is you are not getting the great lines of the tunnel. The black jacket and the black cane get lost in this picture, maybe backlighting would help separate him from the background, but you still have the issue of the black cane on the black jacket. I would just change what he is wearing to something a little lighter. |
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03/21/2011 01:24:30 PM · #13 |
Hi All,
Thank you so much for your comments and critique, as a beginner this is invaluable information for me to work on.
I have been staring at the images from the session all day trying to work out what I can do to improve, so I am really appreciative of the time you have taken to comment.
I will be posting a couple more from the same shoot to try and get a view for a re-shoot. I loved the tunnel and want to see if I can re-shoot with your suggestions in mind.
Please, keep your comments and suggestions coming.
Matt |
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03/21/2011 01:51:25 PM · #14 |
I have added some more images taken from the same set as the initial post.
I would love your critique on them on top of the really helpful comments made so far on Chris_001, this is so invaluable for me. I am happy with them par-say for my first shoot, and I need to apply some different approaches for a re-shoot, therefore any comments are gratefully appreciated.
Chris_002
Chris_003
Chris_004 |
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03/21/2011 02:12:00 PM · #15 |
I agree with Louis regarding the composition but for me the bigger issue is the light. It's just too ordinary especially given your subject and locale. It really should be playing a stronger role in setting the mood, like in the photo Louis posted. If you have just the one light try using it from behind and or directly above the subject and then use reflectors or the wall to kick in some fill light on the subject.
ETA: How did you find that location? Please tell me you don't have Lemarchand's box. :P
Message edited by author 2011-03-21 14:17:41. |
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03/21/2011 02:17:11 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by yanko:
I agree with Louis regarding the composition but for me the bigger issue is the light. It's just too ordinary especially given your subject and locale. It really should be playing a stronger role in setting the mood like the photo Louis posted. If you have just the one light try using it from behind and or directly above the subject and then use reflectors or the wall to kick in some fill light on the subject. |
I agree, what seemed a good idea has made the image look flat and dull. There isn't really any room above the subject, but the rear light might work well. I have a number of flashes so I might have a play once I understand how they would react depending on placement etc.
Appreciate your comments. Cheers. |
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03/21/2011 02:53:43 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by yanko:
ETA: How did you find that location? Please tell me you don't have Lemarchand's box. :P |
What is Lemarchand's box?
I found the location because it is a under road crossing between to half's a public park near where I live. I've not been there for years but by chance we went over the park for a shot near the grand house there and Chris and I remember the tunnel.
Matt |
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03/21/2011 03:31:28 PM · #18 |
| Matt, I like the last image best, where he's walking towards the camera. Very dynamic. But the space is REALLY cramped and it makes me think that I would take advantage of that - have him press his hands against opposite walls, or somehow fill the space purposefully. I would also definitely backlight from a ways to get depth, with a reflector in front to fill for details. |
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03/21/2011 04:23:15 PM · #19 |
I have just noticed, by logging on to my portfolio via another laptop that the images look very different on the other machine.
I have viewed and uploaded all the images via my macbook, but have just checked them images out online via my work Dell, and they look worse. The dark images look darker and I lose the black jacket much more, and the lighter more boring, portrait orientation of Chris striding towards the camera looks even more washed out and flat. |
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