Maternity Session Lighting OK?

[autofocus]

The wife and I did a maternity session this weekend using a 2 light setup with an AB800 camera left through a medium large softbox, and an SB800 through a small softbox camera right. I know it's not an optimal setup, but it's what the current budget can support. Does the lighting work for you?
50mm
f/4.5
1/320
ISO 200


N 087 by vmontalbano, on Flickr

[Life in Motion]

Hey there! the only thing that bugs me is the way her hand holding the rose looks? kinda looks like it is not her hand, or possibly attached at her belly instead of shoulders? just kinda looks off to me somehow hmmmm....

[ccting]

Hi Autofocus,

Here is my noob's perception:

a) I like the hair light
b) The lady is focusing at the rose..what is the connection between rose and maturity?

[SusanH1970]

Hey, Vinnie. The lighting is a tad flat for me for maternity - I like a lot of depth and subtle shadowing for maternity. I'd have ixnayed the fill on camera right and used just a reflector (maybe) for more natural shadowing, and avoiding the harsher shadow from her arm on the fabric.

I'd still show it though.

[sk66]

IMO, the SB rt is a little harsh. Put the diffuser dome on it when in the softbox...I also think both light sources are too far to the sides. That's good for maximizing "contour" but not particularly flattering. One needs to be more frontal fill (or hairlight etc).

It's still not a "a bad pic" by any means.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by sk66

IMO, the SB rt is a little harsh. Put the diffuser dome on it when in the softbox...I also think both light sources are too far to the sides. That's good for maximizing "contour" but not particularly flattering. One needs to be more frontal fill (or hairlight etc).

It's still not a "a bad pic" by any means.

Can i put the beauty dish on it when in the softbox?

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by ccting

Can i put the beauty dish on it when in the softbox?

You could, but BD's don't generally soften.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by sk66

IMO, the SB rt is a little harsh. Put the diffuser dome on it when in the softbox...I also think both light sources are too far to the sides. That's good for maximizing "contour" but not particularly flattering. One needs to be more frontal fill (or hairlight etc).

It's still not a "a bad pic" by any means.

thanks Steve, are you suggesting more frontal and flat lighting? What's interesting in what you said is on some of the shots where she was illuminated more from the front, she looked very different, and actually it was more flattering lighting for her. The biggest problem we have is that the area is fairly tight and has a lower ceiling making it tough going on getting the lights always in the best positions. We had the lights nearly dialed down all the way, and I never thought of using the dome on the SB800...I'll have to remember that.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Hey, Vinnie. The lighting is a tad flat for me for maternity - I like a lot of depth and subtle shadowing for maternity. I'd have ixnayed the fill on camera right and used just a reflector (maybe) for more natural shadowing, and avoiding the harsher shadow from her arm on the fabric.

I'd still show it though.

hard to ixnay the SB800/radio combo because it fires the AB800...otherwise it's back to the umbilical cord

[sk66]

Yes, frontal "flat" lighting can be "flattering" when you want to "minimize contours"....and you almost always want to minimize some, or at least not accentuate.