Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater - shooting w/ black background

[mwatson]

Camera Pentax K10D
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/9.5
Focal Length 26 mm
ISO Speed 140


My wife is the one that came up with this idea. I liked it so I pitched it to my dad (his name is not Peter, unfortunately), to which he was very responsive and thought it would be quite funny.

The only background I have is a piece of black muslin. I placed the flash up high and at a 45 degree angle to the left of the model.

I was toying with the idea of going to buy a white piece of muslin for this shot but I changed my mind as I thought it would be better if it looked like he was getting caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing. And what is a better way to do that by keeping it on black, right?

I like the picture and I think I like the composition, although I didn’t realize I came so close to the bottom of his legs and almost cut them off.

My question is, when shooting against a black background, aside from doing my best to separate the subject from the background, what am I doing? Even though he is well lit and not much of him falls off, the whole thing seems dark. Was I shooting too fast?

I did bump up my black in lightroom because I could see a fold in the background.

[Liz Caldwell]

Great concept, and the lighting isn't too far off, all in all, well done

I think a reflector on the right side to bounce some of the light back into the dark side of his face would help, and perhaps bring the light a bit lower?

Also, rather than kicking up the shadows all around just to hide a fold, try using the burn tool to darken only the background

[FromtheBackofaHorse]

I am not experienced enough to give you any pointers but I just had to comment that I can't believe you got him to put pumpkin guts in his mouth. He must really love you.