Off Camera LowKey

[RecceDen]

Hi guys.

Was attempting some Low Key self portrait last night and came up with the following:



My set up was:

I was sat on a chair, bare SB900 camera right, behind me by about 45 degrees and slightly above head height. It was set to 1/8 power and zoomed to 105mm (I think).

Exif :

Camera Nikon D3000
Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture f/11.0
Focal Length 35 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Exposure Program Manual
Subject Distance 1.78 m
Metering Mode Center-weighted average

Now, Im happy about the light levels on my face but not happy about the shadows. I dont have any reflectors and all my work is by myself.

Should I have brought my SB900 further round to the front to eliminate the shadow on my eye socket?

Should I have turned my face more to the SB900 away from camera to fill in the shadow more?

Any advice on set up and lighting for lowkey would be great.

RD

[candidrachel]

What you could do is use a mirror so that you can see your reflection and thereby seeing where your shadows lie. That's what I would do.

I like the photo by the way. Very dramatic

[jdepould]

Do it next to a white wall?

[RecceDen]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

What you could do is use a mirror so that you can see your reflection and thereby seeing where your shadows lie. That's what I would do.

I like the photo by the way. Very dramatic

Thanks Rachel. Because I am using a SB900 I don't think a mirror will help in the way you suggested. If it was continuous light It would most definitely.

Originally Posted by jdepould

Do it next to a white wall?

Would I not then need to increase the power of my SB900?

RD

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by RecceDen

Would I not then need to increase the power of my SB900?

RD

No ... ?

My thought was to bounce the light you've already got in the image back to fill in the shadows a little. Increasing the power would just cause the highlights to blow out, and probably give you more fill than you really want. You wouldn't want the wall in the frame, just use it instead of a reflector.

Putting the camera in a corner would really be ideal for what I had in mind. that way you're getting even fill.

[timiroberts]

Originally Posted by RecceDen

Hi guys.

Now, Im happy about the light levels on my face but not happy about the shadows. I dont have any reflectors and all my work is by myself.

Should I have brought my SB900 further round to the front to eliminate the shadow on my eye socket?

Should I have turned my face more to the SB900 away from camera to fill in the shadow more?

Any advice on set up and lighting for lowkey would be great.

RD

If you're just looking to light the left side of your face, then you should try both of your own suggestions of moving the light forward or turning your face slightly.
If you move the light to where it's directly to the left of you, you'll still end up with the deep shadows on the right side of your face, but your left eye will be fully lit.
If you turn your head, your left eye will still be lit, but you won't be able to see quite as much of your face in the picture.
I'd just move the light forward, to where it's directly to your left and let it fully light that side of your face.