Could I have critique on my shot for lighting. Thank You

[Lorry]

Hi There,

I've posted before and have had some great feedback and have taken it on board so I'm wondering if you could let me know If I am on the right track with the lighting and pp of this shot. I've also put some more photos into a free website...I feel a little silly because I'm not anywhere near professional but I've had a couple of people ask about photos so thought I would give it a shot.

The photo below I took using my lights.
2 lights set infront,
1 reflector,
1 head light,
I took a manual reading of white balance.
And this photo has been cropped.



F7.1
shutter 1/125
ISO 200
-3 exp
Focal Length 27mm

Was really hoping you could take a look at my website although not finished and tell me whether I'm any good to start taking my photography quite serious and whether I could start charging for my photos or whether I've still got a while to go.

Wix.com LAURALEESPHOTOGRAPHY created by lauraleesphotography based on Photo Focus New

Thankyou...I would be so appreciative.
Lorry

[Woody]

Hello Lorry,

I think you are a very talented photographer and I like you portfolio and web site.

The photo you put up for critique could have been a bit more flattering for the model with an adjustment so that the light on her face doesn't highlight the bags under her eyes. I'm sure you will find on this site and others, people with equal talent who do not consider themselves professional photographers.

If people want to pay for your work, then good luck. But it takes a lot more than being an above average photographer to run a successful business.

Good Luck,

John W

[Lorry]

Thankyou John,

Yes I was wondering about the bags under her eyes and how to combat that. Not quite sure what to do there...do you have any suggestions. Are you able to tell me what a fill light is...I know that's a really silly question but is it my flash because when I use my lights I have my receiver on where the flash goes.
By the way...I had to go into my website and take off the B&W and Urban photos as they weren't mine...they belonged to the website and I forgot to remove them. Thankyou for you comments, it's give me alot more confidence.

Thankyou
Lorry

[zona5101]

You can add fill light with a reflector. Fill light is just the name of the secondary light source used to "fill in" some of the shadow left from the main light. The main light is the light on which you base the exposure of the image. All the other lights are set in relation to the main. Also main, fill, rim lights don't have to be lights, they can be reflectors, or window light, sunshine etc. Their descriptive terms relate to their function in the photograph without regard to the means of producing the light.

[Mark Engelhart]

I'm looking at the shadows and catch lights in the eyes to try to assess where the lights were located. Looking under the subjects nose would indicate that the "Key" lighting was too high for the subject. This will cause the shadows over and under the eyes and long shadows under the nose.

The catch light in the eye I assume is the fill light and it seems too high as well. My preference is to have that light just slightly above the center of the eye and more centered with the eye. I usually am shooting up against this light. This will soften what shadows the key light, which is normally at about a 45 degree angle to the face of the subject.

The hair light again is hitting alot of the top of the head so moving it behind the subject and lower will give you more of a highlight rim.

Sorry to get so "wordy" but I used to have these issue and it was because I would set the lights up for me and then photograph someone considerably shorter than myself or sit them down.

[Lorry]

Hi Mark,

Yes you are correct in my set up...and thankyou very much for your description on what I should be doing...I will definately try that next time. I've got some more people willing to sit for me so will set up that way.
Might print off what you said and keep it with me so as to not forget..:-)...Thanks again.