first time in studio...comments please

[CaptureMe]

Hello All,
this was my first time in the studio. i was going for a straight on, even light.
I'd like some feed back on composition and lighting please??
thanks,
Kim
Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

[ttosifa]

I like it. I have a few comments:

The main thing that stands out to me is that the lighting from the sides makes a bit of a mess of her nose. The camera right (CR) side seems brighter and the lit part seems to come more forward than the CL. You also seem to get unfortunate shadows. I would perhaps consider flagging the side lighting on both sides to prevent it from hitting her nose altogether and let the flat main light be the only light. But I might change my mind after seeing it!

It also seems to me that the side light on CL is brighter than that on CR. It looks about 1/3 stop brighter. The CL light also looks bigger as it extends more to the top of her head and lower on the collar. For some reason, I would seem to prefer more symmetry.

Ditto with the specular highlights on the collar.

I don't know if you have a vignette or if it was the lighting itself, but I personally feel her chest is a bit dark relative to the face. To me, it almost gives a floating head look.

Finally, I think the face lit by the main light is a bit underexposed (1/3 to 2/3 stops). I don't think you could've increased the overall exposure without blowing the red channel on the sides of the face, so maybe you could've turned up the main light a bit (or lowered the side lights).

I love the subtle lighting on the background!

[CaptureMe]

hi ttosifa,
thank you, I can see now what you are talking about. Sometimes all you need is for someone to point it out. Yes there is vignetting. what do you mean by flagging, still new to this... sorry

[ttosifa]

Flagging means blocking the light. Some of the tools used for this resemble black flags.

[CaptureMe]

I got it, I think I've heard them called Barn Doors???

[Benji]

The correct position for your kickers is usually about 135 degrees in an arc sideways from the camera. At this angle it should illuminate the sides of the face but not the sides of the nose. I usually pinch my barn doors down to where they are just a slit of about 1 inch wide. The correct way to do this is pose the subject, shut off all lights except the kickers, then look at the subject's nose. If the kickers are not positioned correctly move them until they are. If you keep your camera room fairly dark (I keep mine pitch black) you can see exactly what your lights are doing. Then after you get your lights exactly the way you want them turn on every light in the room to close the pupils of the subject down (and it will help the auto focus feature in your camera to work quicker.)

Benji

[CaptureMe]

Thank you Benji, good and useful information