One light practice [self-portrait]

[tingeliM]

I have a friend coming over again on Sunday. She has agreed to be one of my (so far) two practice models as I try to learn shooting with my flash and lighting people properly. I figured out some stuff yesterday (after quite a bit of frustration and tips from a photographer friend who knows better) and I had another go today. I want everything to be as clear as possible on Sunday so I practice with my own face first.

I had my speedlite on camera left pointing slightly upwards and I had a round diffusor in my hand. I have a reflector (and I plan on using it on Sunday), but couldn't use it for this shot, because I didn't have enough hands or anything else to hold it up.

Any tips, tricks, DIY tips for a one light home studio (very limited space) and feedback on the lighting are very welcome! =)



Canon EOS 500D + 50mm 1.8 II + Canon Speedlite 320EX
ISO100 1/200 f11

[zona5101]

Your lighting here is really quite nice. Placement is excellent to give this edgy look. Now if you're not going for an edgy look for your friend's shot, you'll need to have some fill on the shadow side.

[tingeliM]

zona5101: Yeah, I plan on using the reflector as a fill with my friend. At least on some shots. We'll see what works. ^^ Thanks for the comment!

[Mark Engelhart]

The placement of the key light is spot on. It is called Rembrant lighting which may already know. The key to this lighting is to create that triangle on the dark side cheek. Two great things about this lighting:
- even with fill to bring up the dark side you will still feel the depth in the image
- If you are off camera with your flash you can set up this lighting (if your background will accommodate) and photograph your subject straight on (like your shot called split lighting) or slightly to camera left (broad lighting) and camera right(short lighting) just moving their eyes toward the camera. This will give you an idea of what lighting works the best on your subject's face.

Good job on the self portrait.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Mark Engelhart

The placement of the key light is spot on. It is called Rembrant lighting which may already know. The key to this lighting is to create that triangle on the dark side cheek. Two great things about this lighting:
- even with fill to bring up the dark side you will still feel the depth in the image
- If you are off camera with your flash you can set up this lighting (if your background will accommodate) and photograph your subject straight on (like your shot called split lighting) or slightly to camera left (broad lighting) and camera right(short lighting) just moving their eyes toward the camera. This will give you an idea of what lighting works the best on your subject's face.

Good job on the self portrait.

+1 This pretty much, plus a free bump!

I am a huge fan of this style of lighting. I wish more women would do it.

[Doug Sundseth]

I strongly prefer this sort of dramatic lighting for portraits. Many customers do not, so be aware that it can be a good idea to get something with a lower contrast between highlight and shadow as well when you're doing a photoshoot.

Other possibilities: You might consider moving the visible hand forward a bit to increase its exposure (it's in the shadow of your face here). I don't know whether this would improve the photo, but I think it would be worth the effort to try. More generally, hands are very important when they're visible. Consider their posing carefully.

Very nice photo.

[ccting]

Great pic that I never get this kind of shot.... I believe many will say this dramastic lighting is not suitable for lady....

According to secondary data, this dramastic lighting is showing off "power" and strength...Perhaps she is a politician.. ;D

I think there are a few more 1 light source lighting which is more suitable for ladies..

[tingeliM]

Originally Posted by Mark Engelhart

The placement of the key light is spot on. It is called Rembrant lighting which may already know. The key to this lighting is to create that triangle on the dark side cheek. Two great things about this lighting:
- even with fill to bring up the dark side you will still feel the depth in the image
- If you are off camera with your flash you can set up this lighting (if your background will accommodate) and photograph your subject straight on (like your shot called split lighting) or slightly to camera left (broad lighting) and camera right(short lighting) just moving their eyes toward the camera. This will give you an idea of what lighting works the best on your subject's face.

Good job on the self portrait.

Yey! Thank you so much! =) Rembrandt was what I was going for and what my photographer friend has been learning also and teaching to me.

Originally Posted by RLucas

+1 This pretty much, plus a free bump!

I am a huge fan of this style of lighting. I wish more women would do it.

Thank you! ^^

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

I strongly prefer this sort of dramatic lighting for portraits. Many customers do not, so be aware that it can be a good idea to get something with a lower contrast between highlight and shadow as well when you're doing a photoshoot.

Other possibilities: You might consider moving the visible hand forward a bit to increase its exposure (it's in the shadow of your face here). I don't know whether this would improve the photo, but I think it would be worth the effort to try. More generally, hands are very important when they're visible. Consider their posing carefully.

Very nice photo.

Thank you! I plan on using a reflector as a fill with my friend, so that all shots won't be with this lighting.

Originally Posted by ccting

Great pic that I never get this kind of shot.... I believe many will say this dramastic lighting is not suitable for lady....

According to secondary data, this dramastic lighting is showing off "power" and strength...Perhaps she is a politician.. ;D

I think there are a few more 1 light source lighting which is more suitable for ladies..

Well, you are so far the first to say that. =) I can assure you, I am not a politician
It would be really helpful if you'd share the other lighting techniques instead of just stating that they exist.

[Fernando]

Just have to say that it's a great shot. Love the lighting, because it's the type of lighting that I love, and it's done properly. Only thing I can add is when you are leaning a chin on a body part, the trick is to just barely touch the arm (or whatever), so that you do not "distort" your facial features. It's not too bad in this shot, but just be aware of it since some people really push down and can cause some bad looks.
Cheers!

[ccting]

[QUOTE=tingeliM;Well, you are so far the first to say that. =) I can assure you, I am not a politician
It would be really helpful if you'd share the other lighting techniques instead of just stating that they exist. [/QUOTE]

It seems that you don't know me.. I am just a noob who do reading most of the time.. That's to say, I just know there are a few but I don't know how to implement it.. I probably post a few one-light source portrait of my baby later for critiques.. so....wait for a few days. But you can play with 0, 30, 45, 90, 120, 135, 180, 210, 225, 270 degree around the subject with difference distance .. + a few reflectors.. up down side front fall off.. etc etc..

For me, the lighting above is suitable for man only. Young ladies.. perhaps just using beauty dish to intro flat lighting that emphasis "young".. I don't know.. lets the experts speak.. You can try also the lighting techniques used for products for portrait .. the techniques that are uncommon for portraits. Just import them from other phtoography fields..

..
Or perhaps, just modify your current lighting by putting reflector very near on the side but nearer to camera to intro fall off for perspective, with 45 degree body, tilt forward, ask subject looks up as camera level higher to "smooth" the skin .. make ladies / old ladies look younger.. Your current lighting make ladies look older (at least for me).

I don't know whether your hands put on face will make you look fatter or not ;D

For you info, I am a noob.