Caelin Framed

[joswigf]

OK, here it goes, let me have it.

I've taken the bold leap from "share your shot" to Critique.
I am an amateur, so be gentle.

The following is an experiment with a prop, a picture frame.

I like photos that are not squeaky clean, typical, smiling ear to ear.
I do not have any software to do any major edits, just the basic that came with the camera. So what you see is what I shot!

I have a low power off camera flash. I will get some better lights one day, money is the only object.

Am I too far out with composotion, regardless of my likes, is the picture appealing?
Can more light help? Can basic high wattage light bulbs offer any assitance if they are close to a subject or do you always need to use a flash?

Thank for your help.

Canon 40D
1/250
F7.1
ISO 400
Exposure: Manual
Metered with Sekonic L-358
Lense: Canon EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Flash: One unit, Opus M40, 40 Watt with white umbrella, Flash was from the upper left.

[WooD]

Nice shot, just a bit too much light on her right shoulder. I checked your set on Flickr. I really liked this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankjc...n/photostream/

I use to get pretty good results using home depot 10" worklights with those new curly 100W bulbs.

[joswigf]

Originally Posted by Dr. WooD

Nice shot, just a bit too much light on her right shoulder. I checked your set on Flickr. I really liked this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankjc...n/photostream/

I use to get pretty good results using home depot 10" worklights with those new curly 100W bulbs.

Thanks Dr WooD,
So this side of DPS does work and is painless.

Yes, the one you like is my wifes fav also.
Today I'll check out the lights.

Question, if I may, with the tungsten lights combinde with flash what do I do for White Balance when shooting colour?
With a florescent light combined with flash light, will it not be a problem for the camera to get it right.
I have a grey card, should I just set Custom WB in the camera off of the grey card with the flourescent light alone or pop the flash too?

Thanks
Frank

[Dodgeinart]

I agree with Dr. WooD and your wife on the other photo.
As to working with different w/b you would need to get some gels that are color balanced. Use those on your flash and set the camera accordingly if you shoot raw then don't bother adjusting camera as long as w/b is the same adjust it in pp.
As too the photo here it's a bit overexposed. The shirt is blown. Perhaps a bit darker shirt that will expose roughly the same as her face if you want. But that is just a bit picky.
For me she is leaning a bit heavy on the frame, but not much. Hopefully that pose isn't from are we done yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttt????
Always have fun,

[joswigf]

Originally Posted by Dodgeinart

I agree with Dr. WooD and your wife on the other photo.
As to working with different w/b you would need to get some gels that are color balanced. Use those on your flash and set the camera accordingly if you shoot raw then don't bother adjusting camera as long as w/b is the same adjust it in pp.
As too the photo here it's a bit overexposed. The shirt is blown. Perhaps a bit darker shirt that will expose roughly the same as her face if you want. But that is just a bit picky.
For me she is leaning a bit heavy on the frame, but not much. Hopefully that pose isn't from are we done yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttt????
Always have fun,

Thanks Dodgeinart,
Your tips are appreciated.

[WooD]

Posting in critique is always painless, especially when you read the posting rules first, which it's obvious you did. You might not always hear what you want, but that's what critique is all about.

As far as mixing lights, I have used fluorescent day tubes, those new cool day lights, and ECT 500W hot lights at the same time. I used auto WB, and shot in RAW.

I use monolights now, but I'm thinking of adding the ECT lights as a backdrop light just to see how it comes out.

I saw you were using a light meter. When you took a reading, did you aim it at the camera or your main light?

Originally Posted by joswigf

Thanks Dr WooD,
So this side of DPS does work and is painless.

Yes, the one you like is my wifes fav also.
Today I'll check out the lights.

Question, if I may, with the tungsten lights combinde with flash what do I do for White Balance when shooting colour?
With a florescent light combined with flash light, will it not be a problem for the camera to get it right.
I have a grey card, should I just set Custom WB in the camera off of the grey card with the flourescent light alone or pop the flash too?

Thanks
Frank

[joswigf]

Originally Posted by Dr. WooD

Posting in critique is always painless, especially when you read the posting rules first, which it's obvious you did. You might not always hear what you want, but that's what critique is all about.

As far as mixing lights, I have used fluorescent day tubes, those new cool day lights, and ECT 500W hot lights at the same time. I used auto WB, and shot in RAW.

I use monolights now, but I'm thinking of adding the ECT lights as a backdrop light just to see how it comes out.

I saw you were using a light meter. When you took a reading, did you aim it at the camera or your main light?

Thanks, great info.
I held the meter in front of my daughter and triggered the main flash with meter. I had meter set at Tv 250 as I wanted a shutter speed to freeze any of her movement, the Sekonic told me to use Av 7.1
The camera was on a tripod and a little closer to her than the flash, about a foot. I do not think this should matter should it. The light measurement was at the subject.
Now wait, should I have held the meter beside the camera and measured the reflective light off the subject? Would this get me to a a more accurate Av value? Does this even make sense?

[WooD]

I'm not sure about your flash meter. I have the cheaper 308.

I always use manual mode. If shooting portraits I'll set my shutter speed to 1/120 to 1/160, my ISO at ether 100 for my D80, or 200 for my D300.

I'll set my meter the same as my camera, and I hold it in front of the models face aimed at my key light when taking a reading. I usually don't meter the other lights.

[joswigf]

Originally Posted by Dr. WooD

I'm not sure about your flash meter. I have the cheaper 308.

I always use manual mode. If shooting portraits I'll set my shutter speed to 1/120 to 1/160, my ISO at ether 100 for my D80, or 200 for my D300.

I'll set my meter the same as my camera, and I hold it in front of the models face aimed at my key light when taking a reading. I usually don't meter the other lights.

Cheers, I have my homework for the week, thanks