First try with studio lighting

[aribabybug]

I've been playing around for the last day or two with my studio lighting kit, and I'm improving rapidly. However, I'm so excited that the pictures are coming out halfway decent that while I know I still have a lot to learn, I'm not quite sure what I need to be working on next. Here's my favorite shot from today.



Focal length: 28.0mm
Exposure: 1/250
Aperture: f3.3
ISO: 100

There's one softbox slightly above and to my left, and another low and to the right, pointed at the wall.


I can see three things that I don't like about the picture at first glance.

1) Some items in the lower left hand corner that I didn't move because I didn't realize they were in the shot.

2) The kitten has a lot of blown out places that I didn't see until I had the image on the computer. (Need to learn to read my histogram and pay attention to it!)

3) The light that I have pointed at the wall is too close to one section of wall, due to space limitations in my living room, and so one part of the wall is brighter than the rest.


What other suggestions can you give? I'm especially interested in lighting suggestions, but if there's something else glaringly wrong, feel free to point it out.

[prabbit237]

Originally Posted by aribabybug

if there's something else glaringly wrong, feel free to point it out.

I'd say that cat's glare tells ya EXACTLY what's wrong

[aribabybug]

Originally Posted by prabbit237

I'd say that cat's glare tells ya EXACTLY what's wrong

She kept biting my husband's ankles while I was trying to take his picture, so he scooped her up and held her out. Turns out she didn't like that much. It made for a good picture, though!

[KMP2010]

haha thats so cute!!! I think its a great composition and apart from the little bits you pointed out it's a neat photo. maybe you can clone stamp the stuff in the bottom left out. Practice makes perfect.....I need LOTS haha

What sort of equipment (lighting) do you have? I was looking at some stuff online yesterday but need to figure out what the minimum requirements are to get started.

Cant wait to see more pics

Kel

[aribabybug]

I have a Square Perfect lighting kit that I received for Christmas. (This is my specific kit if you're curious.)

I've heard from a lot of good photographers that this kit doesn't have enough power or that it will eventually fall apart, but so far it's doing ok for me. If it's bad quality, I don't know enough yet to be able to tell. Also, it was a gift, so I can't complain too much. The only thing I don't like about it is that the radio trigger it comes with doesn't seem to be very good quality, but I don't actually use the radio trigger and am not sure when you should use it.

You can make your own studio setup with worklights from Home Depot or Speedlights and homemade softboxes, but I don't have the technical know-how to do that, and I imagine the results aren't as good.

My plan is to figure out how to use the lights I have to the best of my ability, and then decide whether I need to upgrade or not.