What’s Your Preference?

Ambrosia76 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 02:06 PM

I can take wonderful pictures outside with natural light, but I totally suck at trying to take pics with studio lights. I have read all the tutorial,tried many different setting. Used a white card to set my WB. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Hubby says it is subconscious cause really I dislike fake smile posed studio shots. But I really am trying.

These are some of my studio shots they look very grainy and over exposed to me:

Yet I have taken other indoor shots without the studio lights and back drop that I Love and these two were taken in very dark room with just my on camera flash:

Jim Poor · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 02:56 PM

We need more details.

Settings, gear, etc.

The first one looks like it has been over-cropped or scanned. Something is up with it, but we can't tell without the details. It's definitely NOT overexposed as presented, if anything, it's underexposed.

The second one looks pretty good to me other than being a little flat.

CharlieJ · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 03:37 PM

We do need more info in order to assist. However, the first photo looks like there were two light sources... and at least one of them has a pink to yellowish cast. Maybe your off camera flash/light was bouncing off something - not sure.

I agree with Jim, the first photo looks a bit overexposed. I'm guessing the grainy appearance is from high ISO - but we can't say for sure without more info. Can you post EXIF data from the original photo?

In the second photo, the light source kinda looks like it's to camera right and maybe below the subject. Can you also post a lighting diagram? That might help us with advice, too.

scootermcq · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 04:48 PM

I looked at your exif data on flicker.... first one is ISO 2000 and second one is iso 200 but a shutter speed of 1/25th on a 35mm lens. Are you using continuous lighting?

Ambrosia76 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 12:22 AM

OK I have a Canon 60,was using the 18-55 lens for all for photos. For the studio pics I have 2 continuous lights with the first pic I had one on either side and my on camera flash. For the second I had one light on the right with a reflector for bounce directly across from it,and one light coming from the front and my on camera flash. Did not realize the ISO was set so high on the first set of pics,that was a mistake. Guess that is what happens when you are trying to control your camera and a 2 yr old with no help. I did crop the first pic.

I don't know why I seem to be able to get it right when not using the setup. I think Maybe I am trying too hard. I have never done studio pics before and I typically don't like them.

Ambrosia76 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 12:35 AM

Ok I went back through the first set and the first half were taken at ISO 400 and while they are much clearer unfortunately they are all pics of her squirming around. So apparently somehow I screwed the ISO up half way through.

scootermcq · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 01:40 PM

Biggest issue is not enough light. With cont lighting, they are not as bright as strobes and you usually need higher ISO. You could try moving them as close as possible to your subject while keeping them out of the frame.

Three issues:
1. Underexposing: Causes noise.
2. High ISO: Causes noise
3. Low shutter speed: Causes soft focus, camera shake, subject movement.

Jim Poor · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

OK I have a Canon 60,was using the 18-55 lens for all for photos. For the studio pics I have 2 continuous lights with the first pic I had one on either side and my on camera flash. For the second I had one light on the right with a reflector for bounce directly across from it,and one light coming from the front and my on camera flash. Did not realize the ISO was set so high on the first set of pics,that was a mistake. Guess that is what happens when you are trying to control your camera and a 2 yr old with no help. I did crop the first pic.

I don't know why I seem to be able to get it right when not using the setup. I think Maybe I am trying too hard. I have never done studio pics before and I typically don't like them.

Are you using daylight balanced bulbs in your hot lights? Mixing them with flash can be tricky otherwise as the color temperatures won't match.

BigFuzzy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 04:26 PM

Yeah, in the end, as Scot says, it's an issue of not enough light. You simply need more light (and light that is white balanced or corrected for in-camera/in PP).

And the last two, the only obvious light is the pop-up flash as it's blown out any other light you used and has given the standard "I killed it with straight-on flash" look.

I highly recommend trying to get into Strobist.com. At the very least buy a hot shoe flash, get some cheap radio triggers and learn to fire it off-camera.. your lighting (and subsequently photos) will improve dramatically. Even a one strobe (canon 430ex old version) with a shoot through umbrella can get you this sort of soft, even (and nice in my opinion) lighting:

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigfuzz...n/photostream/)
I chose that image to show you can use a cheap set-up and still get enough light to freeze someone jumping without having to have expensive kit!
You could get enough kit to do the above image for uner 100usd if you really want to get into it and learn. Check gadgetinfinity.com for cheap radio triggers and cheap flashes. Good luck!