Portrait Lighting

[JDTurner]

This is a test I did with some flashes, I've never really used them before so this was a learning experience. I wanted to get your opinion on the lighting most of all. Do you think this would be a cool shot for a band portrait? Individual portraits and group shots? What is your opinion on the background. Is all black ok? Or should I have tried to incorporate a more interesting background?





I used a homemade DIY beauty dish for this shot and two other external flashes on tripods. Is there anything you would suggest I do differently?

Canon EOS 60D
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/14.0
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV

[Deleted]

Do you have a reflector?

Just my thinking but moving the camera left flash back a bit to make a rim light. The top of the head is fading into the background. A reflector would bounce some light unto the eyes and light up under the eyebrows and bottom lip/chin area.

I could be totally off, just my thinking anyway

[zona5101]

Nice work. You have some nice separation going with the rim light and hair light.I think they are doing the job and in the right amount. Your main, the beauty dish, needs to be cranked up a bit. He is a little underexposed. Also you might try a bit of a diffuser on the BD, like a "sock" You're getting some pretty edgy shadows and although a BD is a more directional light than a softbox you might want the shadows a bit more mellow. (maybe not as you said band photos maybe want them with a little punchier lighting) Also your back ground didn't go all the way black. There is a picture frame or similar object in the background behind his head on the shadow side. It s/b easy enough to take out in post. Couple tweaks here and there and you'll have it dialed in.

[graciousness]

As a 'band portrait', I just don't think this works. There's no character, it's just him posing for a shot. It doesn't speak I'm in a band and what type of music he does, etc.

Different background wouldn't help. It needs to be in a difference scene that he is completely himself, like the stage, backstage, or even outside with him shot candidly.

Or if you're going to do this kind of studio set up, at least have a prop, or have him in some sort of character, with his band mates, etc.

He doesn't look comfortable in this shot - his arms crossed over doesnt' do anything. I do like that there's a little edgy sort of look in his eyes, but then the rest of his photo doesn't say anything. A different angle on the portrait shot would do you favours, non-centered (apply rules of thirds), anything other than him posing in the centre of the shot.

I hope this helps.

[S_Sanyal]

Mostly about your band portrait idea..

I like your subject's attitude(eyes), but somehow the body language contradicts that,seems a bit uptight...also its seems as though he's sitting and his arms are resting on his tummy..am i right? the thin strip of jeans visible is not that great...

What music do they play..?Band portrait decision depends on that.
This attitude might work for grunge ( from the tee he's sporting) but maybe not for alternative classical or R&B

I agree with this bit to an extent

have him in some sort of character,

I don't quite with this:

with his band mates...doesn't speak I'm in a band and what type of music he does, etc.

Its not necessary, if a photograph told you about their music, then they would not need a record A photographer should be well aware of the scope of his work...which in this case, is SUPPORTING the musical bit...I have seldom seen an band do well with great photos but crappy music..

In any case, if you're serious about the band portrait thingy, I'd suggest you don't shy away from getting real adventurous - in terms of context, dressing, the background AND lighting would depend on THE OTHER factors! it could hint at what music they play rather than obvious things like them holding the instruments etc. I can perhaps be more specific if I knew what music, I'd suggest to you to keep playing it while the shoot is on too !!! It may just keep you away from obvious cliches. And for a band portrait, with what you have asked (lighting) I'd keep it edgy...as you can see I have said nothing technical or specific..but just relating to the vibe!

You've already nailed the eyes, and thats a great start!

And yes, I'd lose the picture frame growing out of his head unless it has a purpose!

[graciousness]

Its not necessary, if a photograph told you about their music, then they would not need a record A photographer should be well aware of the scope of his work...which in this case, is SUPPORTING the musical bit...I have seldom seen an band do well with great photos but crappy music..

A picture says a thousand words.

Let's put it this way and analyse this photo from a new viewer's point of view.

From the look on his face and the black background, his music may suggest edgy pop to punk. I can't venture out to say that he's not in metal, because you would see that straight away from his look and attire if he did. However, I can't even say that he's punk.....maybe rock/pop-garage punk would be the most because of his neat hair. His shirt is not very edgy except that it's red, so at the most, one can assume that he's in pop rock.

Now, another new viewer can completely read this differently and assume something else.

From a marketing point of view (I used to work in the music industry in L.A.), you do not leave people up to themselves to determine what music you play from your PR shots. You want to quickly target and get the attention of your captive fans and audience and therefore, the PR photos need to be strong and suggestive. It doesn't need to be gimmicky, artsy, clever, etc, but you want the image to be strong regardless. A band is better off having a crappy photo of themselves but with a strong image than a really good, well-exposed photo that merely only shows what your face looks like.

If your client insists on the studio shot, you need to capture his image that will speak loudly of the message he wants to send to his fans and audience. Ask him this question, and you both can discuss what you guys want to really get out of the photos. Then you can plan on the studio shots.

If all else fails, I'm telling you, just take his shots the next time they play on stage and shoot the portraits from there candidly. Nothing will speak louder than those images if you get them at the right moments.

Musicians, in this day in age, not only sell their music but their image.

What are you trying to sell in this image?

[JDTurner]

Well this was just a test, that's me in the photo. I guess its a self portrait! I was setting the camera and running back and forth (that's probably why I look uncomfortable and also why the composition isn't anything special.)

This was just to get an idea of what the lighting would look like. All your suggestions are great! I'll definitely try to do a little more with the bands style according to their music. I will be using a reflector this time too so that should help the lighting some more.

Thanks so much for your critique, its extremely appreciated. Feel free to give me any more suggestions! I'll take as much help as I can get.

[graciousness]

Originally Posted by JDTurner

Well this was just a test, that's me in the photo. I guess its a self portrait! I was setting the camera and running back and forth (that's probably why I look uncomfortable and also why the composition isn't anything special.)

This was just to get an idea of what the lighting would look like. All your suggestions are great! I'll definitely try to do a little more with the bands style according to their music. I will be using a reflector this time too so that should help the lighting some more.

Thanks so much for your critique, its extremely appreciated. Feel free to give me any more suggestions! I'll take as much help as I can get.

Aha! So that's what you look like! Are you sure you don't want to be in a band? We can put you in a nice suit and you can be front man of a disgrunted, punk/indie band anytime

Sorry I can't give you technical advice, you're ahead of me in this scene.

But seriously, if you get into photographing bands, get the bands to inspire you how to get the best image out of them. More often than not, they will have ideas of their own and they'll give you creative direction as far as what they envision as far as how they want to be seen. If not, then studio shot is really not recommended and I'd get them to just perform so you can get them at their best.

Good luck! Don't forget to have fun, most importantly!

[JDTurner]

Haha that's me! I actually do play drums but I'm not currently in a band. That's another thing I'm working on! I am planning to go to a few upcoming shows for some of my friend's bands so I'm excited to take some shots of them in their element. Thanks for the help!