More Portrait Lighting

[scootermcq]

I posted a thread the other day, and received some amazing tips and points, which I have been trying to work on.

My son was on his way out the door to cadets, so I decided to grab him at about the only time I ever have him in a shirt and tie and CLEAN.

I would appreciate any feedback on the lighting as I am trying to grow this skill.

Set up is a speed light shot through an umbrella camera left at a 45 angle and high. Reflector subject right. Speed light in a snoot for a hair light on a rear 45 to subject.



Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV


Thanks,

Scott

[ressalg]

Overall I think the lighting looks really good. However, the hair light does seem a little strong and his pose makes him look like he's leaning back and to the side.

Maybe reduce the power on the hair light? And of course, the pose could be corrected by rotating it in your photo editing software.

[Benji]

You are getting there.

The entire image is underexposed by one stop. I would try bumping the fill light up by one stop and the main light by 2/3rds of a stop but leave the aperture where you have it for this image, and leave the hair light as is. Lean him forward "over the belt buckle" not backward. Don't lopp of his hands. Either include them or crop in closer and eliminate them..

RAF cadet?

Benji

[scootermcq]

Right on, thanks.... for some reason, the images alway seem darker on the forum than opening them directly on the computer, so I guess I had better keep that in mind. I am going to print one like this and one one stop higher to see how they come out at the lab.

Yes, he is with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, and doing a father proud by being in the same Squadron that I was 30 Years ago.

[x_eternity_x]

I'm with Benji on the underexposed--and it really hurts it. On your computer it may appear properly exposed if your screen is turned up too bright--for photo editing you often want it turned down a little, as that will be more accurate. The real thing to do would be to work on using the histogram while you are taking the photos, as that way you can compensate right away and be able to tell without having to just look and see what you think.

[scootermcq]

Thanks guys....

Is this better? I upped the main and moved the reflector in on the camera right. As far as the pose on the model goes, I wasn't even trying because the kid is starting to get a little fed up and seeing a lot of spots now. I just threw him in front of the camera to try with the lighting upped.



Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 42 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

[ARose4me7305]

2nd shot looks MUCH better.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by x_eternity_x

The real thing to do would be to work on using the histogram while you are taking the photos, as that way you can compensate right away and be able to tell without having to just look and see what you think.

Matt... I see what you are talking about. I thought it was all on the left because of the black background, which I have tried to leave totally black. When I compare the histograms of the two images above, there is still a huge spike on the left, but there are also peeks in the other 3 quarters, not just bunched in the last 2. Thanks for the tip.

[Benji]

Scott,

The exposure looks better, now lean him over the belt buckle. (See below.) Also the hair light should illuminate the HAIR, not the side of his face and the hair.

Benji

[randy.ennis]

Benji,

Exactly, the "hair light" is actually more of a "kicker".

scootermcq: I prefer the hair light to be more directly above and slightly behind the subject to provide more of a rim light and some extra highlighting on the the hair. A boom arm on the hair light makes this much easier. The kicker lighting can also be good, but I'd add that after the hair light, if it looks like you need the extra. The hair light will add much more separation from the background, especially good if your subject has dark hair and the background is dark.