Help with portrait lighting setup

[evader]

I’m trying my hand at some portrait type photography…mostly just to get some nice pictures of family…but I’m having some problems getting the lighting correct and I’m hoping someone(s) might be able to help me out.

I’m shooting with a D60 and using a sb600 off camera with the cactus triggers.
SB600 is camera right, shooting through a white umbrella…basically directly to subjects left with a reflector directly across on the other side. Unfortunately I didn’t record the settings that I used on the SB600 (I know, I know)…background is a white sheet or a black sheet (I know I need to iron better too). Subjects are about 2 feet from background, camera is about 3 or 4 feet from subject (limited space in living room)

Below are some samples of some I took this weekend with my son and wife finally agreeing to sit for me for a couple of “test” shots.
These are straight from the camera with no post production work aside from a slight crop. I know I will usually always have to do post production work, however I’m pretty sure the pictures should look better than this when they come straight from the camera.

In the first one I’m guessing that I didn’t have the flash set to a high enough power…hence the gray background?

The second picture I believe I did turn the power up on the flash…does it look too blown out though? How do you avoid that “blown out” look?

In the third picture notice the outline of the umbrella in the top right corner? Is that because I had the umbrella too close?

In the fourth I’m guessing again I didn’t have the flash set to a high enough power again? Again notice the outline of the umbrella in the top right corner?

Can anyone help me to understand what I need to do to improve my portrait attempts? My family is getting pretty tired of posing for me…hahahaha.


f/5.6
Shutter 1/160
ISO 200
35mm


f/4.5
Shutter 1/100
ISO 200
35mm


f/3.5
Shutter 1/80
ISO 200
35mm


f/3.5
Shutter 1/160
ISO 200
35mm

Any suggestions/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[evader]

attached is a rough idea for what the lighting set up looked like. Should I have the flash set more on like a 45 degree angle in front of the subject?

[autofocus]

I am far from being an expert on lighting setups, but I think a 45 degree on your main light would produce a nicer effect. Set it high enough so the catch lights in the eyes fall at around the 2:00 o'clock area. (or 10:00 o'clock if lit from other side) What camera mode were you shooting in??...shooting in manual has always worked out best for me. But again...I'm no expert. Trial and error, and looking at your histogram a lot until you get it right. And yes, your questioned images do appear to be over and under exposed

[evader]

sorry...I was shooting in manual mode. I've update the info under each picture to include the shutter speed as well.

[natek313]

As was already mentioned, putting the light at a 45 degree angle would have been better. Not only would it have helped even out the lighting a little bit on the background, but it would have helped even out the lighting on the faces as well.

I would suggest a lighting setup like in the picture I attached. That was mainly the setup I used when I only had one light to work with.

Ideally, you'd like to have at least two lights in a situation like this - one for the subject, and one for the background.

EDIT: Also, try feathering your light (i.e., not pointing your strobe right at the center of your subject's face). I'm not sure if you did in your photos you posted, but I just thought I would add that in here.

[zona5101]

With one light, let your background go gray or whatever...concentrate on lighting your subject...later if you get more lighting gear you will be able to light your background independent of your subject.

[evader]

Thanks for the reply's and advice. I will try putting the light at more of a 45 degree angle like the diagram you posted natek313.
It's tough to try this stuff out as my kids get bored really quick...the only way I could get my 6yr old son to sit for me was if I let him keep playing his DSI while I set things up...and then when he did look up it was usually with a goofy face...lol.

Thanks again...I'll try again tonight.

[evader]

another question...if I were to look at getting a second light any suggestions as to what to get? Is there something less expensive than the SB600 that would work as a second flash? Any way to get it to work with my D60/Cactus trigger set up?

Thanks

[natek313]

Check out the LumoPro LP120 flash. Or, you can get an old Nikon SB-26 on eBay for around $100 - $120. Both have built-in optical slaves, so you wouldn't necessarily need another receiver.

You can also look into the Vivitar 285HV, but from all the research I've done, I've heard much better things about the LumoPro.

I hope this helps.

EDIT: If you're struggling to find cooperative models, use a stuffed animal or something. You'll still be able to see the effects of any changes you make.

[zona5101]

and besides the battery operated suggestions Nate offers, there are plenty of ac powered strobes to consider...