First Time Using Strobes!

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

today i usd studio strobes for the first time. i'm not entirely sure which model they were, but they were Elinchrom strobes, and we had three of them in my school's photography classroom. for this shot, i used all three, 2 in softboxes, and one in a snoot. i also used my Canon 430EX II as a backdrop light for one of the shots, but not this one.

Anna by ijusteatedpie, on Flickr

Aperture: F11
Shutter: 1/160
Auto WB
ISO 400

As i said, 3 Elinhromes.
1 soft box upper camera left for Key Light.
1 softbox camera right for Fill Light.
1 snoot camera right behind the model for Hair Light.
taken into LR3 to completely black out the backdrop by dropping the blackpoint.

any comments or suggestions on how to improve th photograph would be highly appreciated!

[Niresangwa]

The balance between key and fill looks ok, though I could have gone for a little more of a drop off between the two to add some dimension.

Why use a snoot for a hair light? I guess the reason I ask is that if you'd used a bigger source and brought it so it hit all of her back, you could have gained a little more separation on the right side from the back drop. Obviously with a light coloured shirt, its not critical, but the absence of it kind of sticks out to me... all the snoot is going to do is concentrate the light right on the side of her head.

Lighting aside which is average in terms of how dynamic it is, the pose and facial expression really don't make for a pleasing shot!.. I realise that wasn't the point, but still..

Also, the back drop is still visible on my monitor...

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

Thanks for the input!i'll try for a more drastic change in the ket and fill tomorrow. as for the snoot, i was a bit too lazy to take it off! :P i understand what you're saying though!
would adding a reflector underneath her make for a more pleasing image, or would it turn out close to the same?
thanks again for your input!

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by ElCapitanoAwesomo

Thanks for the input!i'll try for a more drastic change in the ket and fill tomorrow. as for the snoot, i was a bit too lazy to take it off! :P i understand what you're saying though!
would adding a reflector underneath her make for a more pleasing image, or would it turn out close to the same?
thanks again for your input!

A reflector might soften the shadows on her neck at the jaw, but not much else. I agree that a 2:1 ratio would add more interest. There is some transition from highlight to shadow, so it does work this is just a personal preference.

Last point is the hair light seems low. Really should be hitting the top of the head like it is being kissed by the sun.