2nd self portrait

[EOBeav]

I would like your opinions primarily about lighting, and then composition, editing, and anything else you think is pertinent to the discussion. Thanks in advance for your helpful comments.


Same backyard, different night by Rick.Scheibner, on Flickr

EXIF:
Camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/7.1
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV

Strobist info: Lumipro LP160 reflected in umbrella, camera right, full power. Setting Eastern Oregon sun, behind camera and to the left. Triggered with Pocket Wizards.

[MrJones]

seems nice and good, I like the lightning and how it balances with the setting sun (which I'd love to see more of in the picture).
two things bother me:
1. it's not straight.
2. the thing that's hanging under your arm is distracting. it would have been better to take that off before shooting.

[AdrenoJunkie]

The lighting is good but the background is too distracting. Too many things back there. And you may wanna see a Dr. cuz you've got red and blue bars growing out of your head. I'd recommend moving away from the playset, getting the camera in tighter so that you fill the frame to eliminate some of the stuff in the background, and because all that space around you isn't adding anything to the shot, and composing yourself a lil off center. Great job balancing your ambient and flash though.

[scootermcq]

Beside the above, the only problem I see is the subject

Your main question was about the lighting, and I think it is well balanced, even and good wrap from shadow to highlight. It might be a little cool to match the setting sun and adding a CTO filter and then doing a custom white balance may just make it sing.

[EOBeav]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Beside the above, the only problem I see is the subject

You got that one right. I need a haircut, too.

But yeah, the location isn't ideal, I'm still just messing with settings on my new strobe gear. I'm my own worst client, but my best teacher. My goal is to get out this weekend for a better self portrait for a little project I have going on.

Thanks everybody for the feedback.

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