What’s Your Preference?

RussHeath · #1 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008, 04:41 AM

For those of you who missed Part 1, I'm posting a series of portraits that demonstrates a little bit of what I've learned over the past few months by reading Strobist and some other sources. While by no means accomplished, I'm hoping that my progression through basic portrait lighting is helpful to some. All critiques and comments on the pictures help me grow and are certainly welcome.

Last time, I was posting pictures from around mid November, and using the techniques detailed in the Umbrella Specular Assignment from strobist. The location has remained the same for most of these shots, but it's a month later and I've pulled the light over to the side and pushed it very close to my model(s).

Above is a photo of my wife and her mother. The lighting is as described above, with one SB-600 through a shoot-through umbrella acting as a small softbox. I think the lighting is soft and a little dramatic at the same time.

Here is one of my wife by herself:

This shot shows what is possible with this lighting setup and some B&W conversion. I have the light higher than I did in November, and I like the effect. I did several of these conversions, and this particular one is the highest contrast (some would call it low-key) and happens to be my wife's favorite.

Another with my wife and mother-in-law:

Having more than one subject really makes for a more dynamic portrait, but also provides many more variables in terms of lighting.

Lessons learned from the above photos:

--Even a soft light source this far to the side needs a good fill light. I found myself having to correct the shadows far too much during the RAW conversions. I (ineffectively) used the ambient coming from the room to camera left for fill. Either I should have used a much longer shutter speed (these were all on 1/200) to allow more ambient fill, or I should have provided fill another way. I have since turned to using a silver reflector or large piece of foamcore ($5-$10 at any craft store) as a reflector on the fill side. Live and learn.

--Wine is good for models.

--Despite the problems caused from having a 110lb Great Dane in the last shot, she more than makes up for it through the reaction she evokes.

OK, last one. This is a shot from the second floor of a convention center looking out. It was graduation day for my wife (M.A.) which is why her parents were in town:

This is one of the better of a bad series of shots (she was goofing off for the camera), but it demonstrates the concept of balancing ambient with flash. Neither my wife nor I really liked any of the shots from this spot, but that was because the bare strobe fired from camera right was too hard a light source. A simple diffuser (aka omnibounce or DIY equivalent) would have made quite a difference. I was proud that both she and the background were well exposed.

That's all for today. Any and all comments and critiques are encouraged. Thanks again to those of you who had a look at Part 1, and if all goes well look for another episode in a few days.

Part 1 -- Umbrella Specular
Part 2 -- Adding a reflector for fill (and a Mother-in-law)
Part 3 -- Crosslighting with the sun (for a group portrait)
Part 4 -- Now I have two strobes!
Part 5 -- Ghetto striplight high key fun
Part 6 -- DIY Softbox for serious light

RussHeath · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 05:53 AM

{Sound of crickets chirping . . . }

So . . . I think I've been fairly patient with this one, but we're almost to 4 days with no comments. I don't mean to sound ungrateful to all those who have looked but not commented, but it's a little strange for me.

For anyone reading, help me out. Is there something about this thread that makes it unapproachable (or just boring)? If I had to guess I would say it's too much information, but that did not seem to be an issue the last time I did one of these. Either way, I guess this is the end of this particular series, but I would love to know if I did something to discourage feedback so I can be a better poster in the future.

Once again, my stated goal was not picture specific feedback, but to share my learning process as it pertains to portraiture. My hope was to encourage a discussion about portrait lighting / technique. Oh well.

rikkersc · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 02:28 AM

Newbie,
I am also surprised no one has commented on your post. To me, it seems very informative and interesting.

I have also been trying to figure out how to take better indoor portraits with a small studio set-up that I have, and some of your tips are things I will have to keep in mind the next time I try a shoot.

I think your pictures turned out nicely, although the black-and-white one seems a little soft in focus.

I like the lighting in the photos, and the way you describe where you put your lights is helpful.

Hopefully others will add to your post. And don't be discouraged by the lack of response ... please keep up the good work posting on your technique!

(Maybe it has something to do with the reformatting of the site...people may just be still trying to figure out the new set-up.)

Sandie · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 02:38 AM

I too think it has more to do with some of the changes on the forum, but I also know that the moderators keep saying just one or two pictures to start a thread and then add more as the conversation keep going. I think starting with the two of mom and daughter, which are similar, and then later bringing in the B&W one....the graduation picture, while cute, doesn't seem fit this series.

I used to use a studio, but now I use almost all natural lights with reflectors for filling.

cjc3406 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 04:55 AM

Ok I'm new at this so can you explain the umbrella technique a little more to me cause the pics turned out well I'm just not understanding the lighting and umbrella using.

cheasie · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 05:10 AM

very nice pictures, i shall go buy an umbrella and lightstand too

RussHeath · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rikkersc

Newbie,
I am also surprised no one has commented on your post. To me, it seems very informative and interesting.

I have also been trying to figure out how to take better indoor portraits with a small studio set-up that I have, and some of your tips are things I will have to keep in mind the next time I try a shoot.

I think your pictures turned out nicely, although the black-and-white one seems a little soft in focus.

I like the lighting in the photos, and the way you describe where you put your lights is helpful.

Hopefully others will add to your post. And don't be discouraged by the lack of response ... please keep up the good work posting on your technique!

(Maybe it has something to do with the reformatting of the site...people may just be still trying to figure out the new set-up.)

Rikkersc -- Thanks for the encouragement; I really enjoy sharing what I've learned. Also, your input on the B&W photo is much appreciated. It is actually processed with a bit of the orton effect prior to B&W conversion, which intentionally softens things. Here is the file merely converted from RAW, without all the processing for B&W:

It has occured to me that people may just be busy with the shiny new critique forum (I know I'm enjoying it), but a little confirmation is good. Thanks again.

RussHeath · #8 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandie

I too think it has more to do with some of the changes on the forum, but I also know that the moderators keep saying just one or two pictures to start a thread and then add more as the conversation keep going. I think starting with the two of mom and daughter, which are similar, and then later bringing in the B&W one....the graduation picture, while cute, doesn't seem fit this series.

I used to use a studio, but now I use almost all natural lights with reflectors for filling.

Sandie -- Thanks for the feedback. I was worried that the four photos may be a bit much. I had previously thought that the moderators' rules were useful for the critique and share your shot forums but were restricting for more open ended posts. However, I may do well to follow those rules even in areas where they are not strictly enforced (gee who would have thought the rules were there for a reason??)

I find it interesting that you have progressed from studio lighting to natural light with reflectors, as most people tend to go the other way. Besides the convenience of not carrying lights around, what is it about natural lighting that you prefer?

RussHeath · #9 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjc3406

Ok I'm new at this so can you explain the umbrella technique a little more to me cause the pics turned out well I'm just not understanding the lighting and umbrella using.

The particular umbrella that I used was this one, and I removed the black cover and aimed my SB-600 through the umbrella to have it act as a small soft box. The closer you get this setup to the subject, the larger it appears to the subject and therefore the softer the light. This means that the highlight to shadow transition zones are smooth and soft rather than abrupt and hard. The exact placement of the light is part artistic choice and a lot of experience (which I don't have yet) but the articles on Strobist are a good place to start.

I particularly recommend the entire lighting 102 series, which counterintuitively is the most basic course on the site (not Lighting 101 which is more gear intensive). If you work through the assignments it will teach you a lot about how to use artificial light in a photo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheasie

very nice pictures, i shall go buy an umbrella and lightstand too

Thank you, and I hope you post your results here for us to see.