Dynamic Range Window-light Portrait Test

[ccting]

Today, I test my exposure skillset with my baby. Post production using Flat preset in lightroom, just that.

ISO 1600, 50mm f/2.2 1/800s



How do you think about the dynamic range from this portrait?
That is to say,
a) Is too dark too dark for you?
b) Is too bright too bright for you?
c) Is the highlight & shadow define the nose shape? Or it is simply distractive?
d) How are you going to solve the problem that you have just described?

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by ccting

Today, I test my exposure skillset with my baby. Post production using Flat preset in lightroom, just that.

ISO 1600, 50mm f/2.2 1/800s


How do you think about the dynamic range from this portrait?
That is to say,

a) Is too dark too dark for you? I actually really like itb)
Is too bright too bright for you? Left side of face is blown, but I don't find it distractingc) Is the highlight & shadow define the nose shape? Or it is simply distractive? The shadow transition is quite nice. It's not too harsh.
d) How are you going to solve the problem that you have just described? If YOU find it distracting, add a reflector camera left to lift the shadows and decrease the range. Then you can lower the whole exposure to keep the highlight side from blowing out.
This is the BEST example you have posted so far. I am really enjoying this picture. The tones are really nice. Some may say that we need to see more eyes, but I like the feel of it just the way it is.
Good work in my opinion!

[ccting]

Really thanks that you like this pic...

[Doug Sundseth]

By far your best work yet.

I'd normally like to see the subject to one side or the other of the center point, but I think the centered composition works pretty well here.

I'm not bothered by the high dynamic range created by your lighting. I think it works well for this shot.

Minor issue:

I'd drop the shutter speed to 1/200 and the ISO to 400. This will give you the same exposure, with less noise, and 1/200 should still be fast enough for your subject. (Not so much for a playing child, of course.)

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

By far your best work yet.

I'd normally like to see the subject to one side or the other of the center point, but I think the centered composition works pretty well here.

I'm not bothered by the high dynamic range created by your lighting. I think it works well for this shot.

Minor issue:

I'd drop the shutter speed to 1/200 and the ISO to 400. This will give you the same exposure, with less noise, and 1/200 should still be fast enough for your subject. (Not so much for a playing child, of course.)

Thanks Doug,

This experiment is to get high dynamic range with single shot. With 1/200s and ISO 400, I can't get very dark shadow (near 100% black) and very bright highlight (near blowing out)

[Doug Sundseth]

Originally Posted by ccting

Thanks Doug,

This experiment is to get high dynamic range with single shot. With 1/200s and ISO 400, I can't get very dark shadow (near 100% black) and very bright highlight (near blowing out)

If you increase the shutter speed and commensurately reduce the ISO, you will get exactly the same exposure everywhere. Neither the ISO nor the shutter speed has any effect on the ratio of highlight to shadow exposure.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

If you increase the shutter speed and commensurately reduce the ISO, you will get exactly the same exposure everywhere. Neither the ISO nor the shutter speed has any effect on the ratio of highlight to shadow exposure.

Oh.. thanks.