How is the lighting?

[scootermcq]

Trying something different....

How does the lighting look to you on this image?



Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/180)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 48 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

[zona5101]

The lighting looks very very good. It is even, you have some nice defining shadow, no harsh highlights. Darn fine. I might add a hair or rim light to complete the setup. Nice work.

[scootermcq]

Thanks Zona...

I agree with the need for a hair light. This was done with 3 strobes and a reflector. I am in need of about 2 more lights for what I want to do, but I could live with one more for a hair light.... Oh well, it's only money....

Thanks for the feedback.

Scott

[candleman]

i personally would say its too harsh.
the shadow uner his nose isnt great, i would have lowered the key light to eliminate that shadow,
if you want to get away with the harsher lighting i think less light on the background and more of a defined "rim" of light on his body would do the trick.

good pose, good prop.. (nice job there)
i'm not 100% sure about the hand partially cut off by the guitar.. but i dont think thats a biggie.
the blue jeans dont work with the blue muslin, try black jeans.

i think the background needs allot less light on it, he doesnt "pop" off the page as the background is very dominant.
sorry if that seems rude.

in saying that,
i think if you darken up the background and add a vignette.. you'll have a very nice portrait.


EDIT..
3 strobes and a reflector?
thats all you really need

i did these with only 3 strobes and one reflector (the reflector wasnt even necessary i just put it up so they wouldnt comment on my big TV


one strobe for Key light camera left
one strobe for fill camera right
one strobe for hair light above and behind them camera right

[scootermcq]

Candleman.... that burns....

Just joking, thank for the feedback. I had a bugger of a time not over exposing the background. I put the flash on the lowest possible setting, put a plastic defuser on it, then threw a shoot through umbrella over it to get it to where you see it. I have to figure out something there, as it is a little to high.

The jeans definately bugged me too, I just grabbed him and as it was I got the "oh crap here we go again" look when I asked him to pose.

Good point on the shadow under the nose. I did not pick up on that one. When you say lower it, I assume you are refering to altitude and bringing it closer to face height. I will give that a shot.

I will try some of the suggestions in PP to see what I come up with.

Thanks,

[ttosifa]

Where did you place your lights? Three lights seems like a lot for what you got.

First, I think you nailed the focus on the eyes. For those recently interested in proper focus, I think this shows it. In the large version, the eyes are nice and crisp.

While I think you got a nice shot, there are several things that bug me. Most important, the lighting and composition of the guitar is, sorry, mangled and subpar. Any great guitarist treats his guitar like a, again sorry, a fine woman. He shows it off. He names it. It's his and his alone. He doesn't put it in the shadows, and doesn't show his full self while cutting in half the most important part of his beaut. The picture is your son and his guitar, not just your son. The lighting and composition must compliment (or complement?) both.

And, for me, the background muslin just does not work. Too much light blue. The background is too much in focus. Everything seems to be similar colors and same tonality. Except for the face, the lighting seems flat. What might I suggest? Possibly aiming a strobe directly behind his head at power sufficient to blow it out and then letting the falloff give texture/color as it descends into darkness. A sort of natural vignette if you will (see candleman's suggestion).

If it's only money, consider getting "The Best of Dean Collins on Lighting" from

Photoshop Training and Photography Training Tutorials - Software Cinema - Training :: Photography :: Dean Collins :: The Best Of Dean Collins On Lighting

It'll show you how to multipurpose your lights, so that one light is effectively four lights. It even covers small strobes. Just think, you could've effectively had 12 lights in there, not counting the reflectors...

[candleman]

excellent point about the guitar by ttosifa
i probably would have chopped the guitar too.

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Candleman.... that burns....

Just joking, thank for the feedback. I had a bugger of a time not over exposing the background. I put the flash on the lowest possible setting, put a plastic defuser on it, then threw a shoot through umbrella over it to get it to where you see it. I have to figure out something there, as it is a little to high.

i know how it feels to post what you consider a great shot only to have it torn to bits.
i feel your pain i promise.

as for the background light
i almost never point a light specifically on the backgropund.. i use spill from the others to sort that out.
the only time i specifically point a light at the background is if i'm trying to be clever and do something like this.
i havnt done it since.. but yeah..
i'll probably be shot down for sayig this.. but use your lights for your subject and let the spill take care of the background. its your subject thats important... a plain background doesnt need or want attention.
until, you can get another light specifically for the background. its easy enough to P.S. a vignette..

[ricklumpas]

I should not be the one saying this, but i appreciate your critiques esp where to place lights correctly. They educate me.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by ttosifa

Where did you place your lights? Three lights seems like a lot for what you got.

I am attaching the diagram of what I tried last night. I will also attach what I usually do (with the addition of a hair light on a boom) and an example of what that lighting gets me.

I would ideally like a bit more room to work with, and part of my problem is the subject is too close to the background to blur it out. I could open up the aperture, but I find the subject starts to go too soft with the space I am working with.

As far as composition on the guitar goes, I appreciate that. Not being a musician or even musical I did not give it the respect is deserves, and that is where the feedback of the critique really helps out and helps you grow.

Thanks for all the feedback and pointers guys

[scootermcq]

Based on your feedback, we did this this afternoon. Dress & pose were not really my focus, it was more the lighting...



Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/6.7
Focal Length: 60 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV