Practiced with my new backdrop/s and stand - portraits

[DVC Jen]

Let me know what you think.. be honest.

I have lots to learn when it comes to lighting. Some I think are better than others. This is my DH and our dogs. Our girls were hiding this time.

This is Ian and our dog Lily

This one is my personal favorite. I think I got his personality in this one.

Both dogs - Lily and Eli

I also really like this one. I am not 100% happy with the lighting in it however. I had a super hard time getting the lighting on the dogs correct without blowing out Ian. And Eli is part chicken so everytime I move a light or tried to use a reflector he wigged out.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I like the one that you say is your favorite. He seems relaxed and I love the composition.

 

[0bli0]

Jen - i'd recommend putting more space between Ian and the background. the second shot was good (separation wise) but the lighting looks flat. how did you set your lights (they're too small for me to look at the catchlights)? also are you mixing flash and incandescent lighting?

number 4 is definitely the best cos he's got a bit of a smile, he's relaxed, pretty good separation from the backdrop, and the lighting is good. with good lighting comes good personally i'd probably put the reflector down a bit on your left and move the key light more to the right. that should help soften the shadow behind the arm.

were you using manual exposure? what were your settings (i don't see exif). i've found low iso and wide aperture while shooting manual - metered for the brightest part of the scene is the best place to start. for the fourth shot, you could use a small hairlight (or snooted flash forward of Ian straight down on Eli. the other thing you can do is prop a horizontal reflector (also known as a big piece of rectangular foam core from Home Depot on the ground at an ange to throw some light on him without illuminating Ian.



lastly i'd recommend ironing or steaming the backdrop

you've done a great job - far better than my first adventures with a backdrop

 

[Miss Kelly]

Great first try Jen. I would also suggest that you pull your subject away from the backdrop. What kinds of lights do you have? Did you use a light meter to determine the lighting ratios? My settings usually stay at ISO 100, 1/125, and 5.6 or so. Also, in the last one, he looks a bit red. Did you set a custom white balance by any chance?

 

[DVC Jen]

The only lights I have are two umbrella lights that came in a kit.

I know I desperately need to get those wrinkles out of the backdrop and I do understand what you mean by moving my subject away from it a bit.

The backdrops and stand arrived Friday and last night I was just pulling most of them out of the plastic they came in. I just haven't had time to do much with them right now with everything that has been going on - but I will. I need to.

My largest concern is how to store them so they don't just wrinkle right back up. I have VERY limited storage space.

Any ideas?

Also since I only have the 2 umbrella light kit - what other lights do you suggest I get? It maybe a while before I am able to afford anything more - but I am add it to my list.

I truly am clueless when it comes to lightening. I am trying but have so much to learn.

Does anyone have a site online that has great tips or better yet a book in very easy to understand terms - something that would explain all I need to know about studio lighting?

The first shot I really am not crazy about it at all. The 5th I did need them to be further away from the backdrop, I can clearly see that. I think it was more of a lack of space for me to move around in - well lack of space period since we had set up in our living room with the couch and loveseat and chair all around us. The only things we could easily move were the coffee table and ottoman.

No I did not use a light meter. I *think* my ISO was set at 200 and if I remember correctly (I slept between then and now) I shot in TV mode because I was really tired and my hands weren't so steady. I set the shutterspeed at 1/25 and for the most part the aperature was right around f/4 to f/5.6.

Hmmm... I wonder... do ya think I could make both of my girls share a bedroom again and I could take over one of their rooms and turn it into a studio?

Somehow I really doubt that would happen.

 

[hortnut]

I also really like the one that's your favorite.
Lynn