Self Portrait

[ashwinvissa]

Hi all,

I had originally wanted to submit this for the 'self-portrait' thread but then when I set up the shot I got so into it and the post-processing that I figured I'd post it here as well. This is my first real 'set-up' shot and I'd love some feedback! (I just got my hands on a tripod and wanted to experiment with low-light and long exposures). This images was exposed for 1.6 secs and i was using a lamp that was placed on the floor slightly to my left. Worked on the image in Photoshop, essentially curves and some Gaussian blur and then fiddled around with colour balance and saturation and then went back to curves and fiddled around some more there. Also extended the background to the right (as is obvious with the green banding that can be seen).




Ashwin

[clockdoc]

Not my most favorite lighing for a portrait unless you were trying to convey a special emotion or mood. Was there a reason for the slow shutter speed other than experimentation with long exposures? Having said that, congratulations for trying something a little different and perhaps filing away what you learned for future use. Keep shooting!

[ashwinvissa]

clockdoc: I was just trying out something I haven't done before. I did try a couple of other positions for the lights but most of the images came out a little out of focus! I have realized that I cannot sit still for even two and half seconds! I was basically trying to work with some shadows...wanted a 'dark' look/feel to the image. I purposely did not read up on any lighting techniques as I wanted to go ahead and try and translate what was there in my head into a picture. Having said that, setting up the shot was fun (although I was using nothing more fancy than a simple table lamp!)! What lighting positions would you suggest for a portrait shot? Mind you, I'm using a Canon S3 IS, so no interchangeable lenses for me! Thank you for your comment sir!

[clockdoc]

Thanks for your questions. Experimentation is key to learning and I am glad that you took the time to try to duplicate what you had on your mind. You may want to see if there are any portrait tutorials here in the DPS site for starters but I can also recommend doing a Google search on "portraiture lighting." There are 4 basic portraiture lighting setups that all start with a single "key" or main light. Added to that is the "fill light" which is usually placed at the camera and as close to the lens (slightly above it) as possible to fill in the strong shadows created by the fill light. Next would be a hair light that is usually placed high above and behind the subject to add some separation of the head and shoulders from the background. Last would be the background light that illuminated the background and helps minimize shadows cast by the two frontal lights (key and fill). Start your learning process with a single light ( a desk lamp can work but a larger reflector lamp from a hardware store is better.) You don't need high wattage bulbs since digital cameras can record in lower light levels. Remember to white balance.
The 4 types of lighting I alluded to above are butterfly lighting, Rembrandt, loop and rim. Butterfly lighting is most effective with females. The light is placed high and down the line of the face such that a "butterfly" (you have to use your imagination here) shadow is cast directly below the nose but not spilling onto the upper lip.
Rembrandt lighting starts about 45 degrees to either side of the subject and high enough to cast a small triangle oflight on the opposite cheek.
Loop lighting is sort of like Rembrandt but without achieving the triangle od light or like the butterfly lighting except that the shadow is cast to either side of the face instead of directly below the nose.
Rim lighting is most effective for profile shots where the key light is place behind theh subject and aimed towards the camera (watch for lens flare and block direct beams of light hitting the lens). The fill light then fills the front or shadow part of the face.
All four methods depend on good placement of the fill light to vary the shadow ratio between light skin tones and dark but that is best left for study in a tutorial or book on portraiture. Monochrome shots are more forgicing in higher contrast lighting ratios than color.
That should be enough to get you started. Please don't hesitate to ask questions where I have cofused you. By the way, when using your shutter delay timer for self-portraits, you may need to have a chair or some object positioned where you will sit as many digital cameras prefocus when the shutter button is depressed. Also ,as you said, the slow shutter speed may have also accounted for your focus issues.
I look forward to your first portrait shots using the lighting I tried to describe above.

[ashwinvissa]

clockdoc: WOW! Now that sir, was wayyy more than I expected as an answer! I appreciate you taking time out to answer in such detail. I do. I guess theres a long way to go for me yet! I will certainly keep in mind your comments. I did neglect the pre-focussing bit while shooting. I will keep that in mind next time. Let me rustle up some lights (at least two im hoping!) or make my own and I'll post when I feel that I'm up to some speed! Once again, thank you for your detailed reply sir!

[Farkled]

In addition to ClockDoc's wonderful dissertation, I'll simply add that, from my own limited point of view, the lighting that you used always makes the subject look demonic. As a result, I avoid such angles (not that I do portraiture)