Self-Portraits Using My New Softbox - Give It To Me Baby

[Obijuan]

I'm not going for the traditional portrait here. My question is, since I have the softbox on top how do you get catch lights? Reflector to the left at mid-level? or do I need another light to make this happen?

ISO: n/a for some reason my Nikon D90 does not record the lowest ISO setting.
Exposure: 1/160 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Focal Length: 46mm
Flash Used: Yes

From Drop Box

[Fernando]

Wow that is a very interesting question that has me thinking circles. My guess (as I have never tried it, nor really thought of it!) would be the best way to do it is with another flash dialed down way low so that you don't overwhelm the nice soft light coming from your soft box flash and fill in the shadows.
I can see how a reflector might work, i'd just be worried that it would produce too much fill since its the same lightsource. I guess if it was far enough away, it might not. Really all you would want to get is the catchlights in the eyes, but keep the same soft contrast throughout the rest of the shot....
Interesting for sure.... please let me know if you figure it out!

[RLucas]

How far away was the soft box? I doesn't look like you had enough fill in your eyes. From my VERY limited experience, it would make sense to me to move it closer, higher, and about 45 degrees to camera right. Somebody should come along and answer this. Otherwise I think it's a great shot.

[sk66]

If you are going to keep the softbox in it's current position (and it IS nice lighting from there) then you need another light source.
Bounced light can work, but because it is dependent on the softbox output you will loose the lighting ratio in the process of gaining catchlights (it will also act as fill).

A second light source (strobe) will work, and then you will need to adjust the ratios from the two sources to keep the overall contrast while gaining only catchlights (because the eyes are "reflective" the additional lighting will still be apparent there)

[zona5101]

if you are going to use just one light source, then you'll need to move the light towards the camera. As it sits in this image, there is no light reflecting off the eye. Like lighting glass or any reflective surface, the camera needs to be within the family of angles if you want the reflection and outside of it if you don't.

[Obijuan]

Originally Posted by Fernando

Wow that is a very interesting question that has me thinking circles. My guess (as I have never tried it, nor really thought of it!) would be the best way to do it is with another flash dialed down way low so that you don't overwhelm the nice soft light coming from your soft box flash and fill in the shadows.
I can see how a reflector might work, i'd just be worried that it would produce too much fill since its the same lightsource. I guess if it was far enough away, it might not. Really all you would want to get is the catchlights in the eyes, but keep the same soft contrast throughout the rest of the shot....
Interesting for sure.... please let me know if you figure it out!

I believe you suggestion of the additional flash dialed down could work. I need to go buy another one to try. Thanks.

Originally Posted by RLucas

How far away was the soft box? I doesn't look like you had enough fill in your eyes. From my VERY limited experience, it would make sense to me to move it closer, higher, and about 45 degrees to camera right. Somebody should come along and answer this. Otherwise I think it's a great shot.

The softbox is right on top of me. I wanted to give a different light from the typical portrait shot. Thanks RLucas.

Originally Posted by sk66

If you are going to keep the softbox in it's current position (and it IS nice lighting from there) then you need another light source.
Bounced light can work, but because it is dependent on the softbox output you will loose the lighting ratio in the process of gaining catchlights (it will also act as fill).

A second light source (strobe) will work, and then you will need to adjust the ratios from the two sources to keep the overall contrast while gaining only catchlights (because the eyes are "reflective" the additional lighting will still be apparent there)

Good suggestion. Thanks.

Originally Posted by zona5101

if you are going to use just one light source, then you'll need to move the light towards the camera. As it sits in this image, there is no light reflecting off the eye. Like lighting glass or any reflective surface, the camera needs to be within the family of angles if you want the reflection and outside of it if you don't.

angles. I need to keep that in mind for the next one. All great suggestions. Thank you very much.