My first studio lighting shots...
Hello everyone 
I'm brand new here, and brand new to photography in general. Last weekend our local photowalking group set up a studio lighting project for us all to play with, where we went around and took shots of volunteer models in different kinds of lighting set ups.
I must admit I had nothing to do with the light, but I would love to hear what you think about my composition, posing, and what kind of post work you would do on these. Don't be afraid to be mean, I really want to learn how to get good at this!
(also, I hope these kinds of posts are acceptable, if it's not cool for new people to come and ask for critique/advice please let me know)
I'm brand new here, and brand new to photography in general. Last weekend our local photowalking group set up a studio lighting project for us all to play with, where we went around and took shots of volunteer models in different kinds of lighting set ups.I must admit I had nothing to do with the light, but I would love to hear what you think about my composition, posing, and what kind of post work you would do on these. Don't be afraid to be mean, I really want to learn how to get good at this!
(also, I hope these kinds of posts are acceptable, if it's not cool for new people to come and ask for critique/advice please let me know)
0
Comments
#1) I liked until I scrolled down the rest of the pic. That looks like a heck of an uncomfortable pose. Just makes me question why anyone would sit for a photo like that. At first (before I scrolled down) it looked like she was laying down or bent over somewhat. Wasn't expecting what I ended up seeing.
#2) Nice expressions! Seems a little dark. I would have prefered them facing the center of the frame vs. the right side.
#3) Kinda blurry. And i think it would have been better to photograph her front as oppose to her back.
#4) Seems a bit too center. And that strand of hair is distracting. I'd want to clone that out.
#5) A little dark. And again that strand of hair.
Take this all with a grain of salt. I'm just starting out myself. All it is really is opinion and well...you know what they say about that. Overall I liked 1 the most if not for that pose.
Canon 40D, 28-135mm, 50mm f/1.8, 10-22mm, 70-300, 580 EXII, ST-E2, 500D Diopter
Well, if I could see the pictures I would be more then happy to help out, but somehow I can't, so...
D200
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 D
Tamron SP AF90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1
Welcome to my NEW website!
Mr. Christoferson
Hrm
D200
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 D
Tamron SP AF90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1
Welcome to my NEW website!
Mr. Christoferson
BTW - it really helps if you number your images so we can comment without having to scroll up and down counting the pictures.
1. I agree - good shot but uncomfortable pose that doesn't really do anything for the model or the viewer.
3. Like the action. It's a little underexposed. And as already said, a bit oof.
4 & 5 - same. Could be a tad lighter and I'd lose that errant hair.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.:D
http://www.imagesbyceci.com
http://www.facebook.com/ImagesByCeci
Picadilly, NB, Canada
What is your processing setup (e.g. do you have a calibrated monitor)? Also what are you using for your post processing software? The first thing that I notice is that all of your images are underexposed to me which leads me to think that your processing is consistent so perhaps your equipment isn't giving you the true results.
As for the images:
1) The pose seems forced and the cropping is cutting off her feet and some finger tips. The image seems to be slightly out of focus. The eyes could be brightened and the spot in her eye could be removed and the whites could be brightened and yellow removed. The white strap on her right shoulder is distracting and I think I would remove the blemishes, at least on her right shoulder.
2) Very underexposed. I would shift the crop to have more on the right and bring the left just beyond his back. Remove blemishes.
3) Good idea but the shutter speed was too slow resulting in the blurry image. Also underexposed and I would have liked to see more of her face.
4) Can be a nice portrait but is underexposed and needs to be cropped to avoid center. The smile seems a bit forced and need to remove stray hair and brighten eyes.
5) Has good potential. Too straight on of a shot and also underexposed. Touch up blemishes.
Hope you don't mind but here is a sample of what I am talking about:
www.brogen.com
Member: PPA , PPANE, PPAM & NAPP
Here's a general tip. Don't be afraid to put your camera on full manual. What you see and what you get when you pull the trigger are not the same (the strobes don't look anything like the scene when it is unlit), so pick and aperture you like, then guestimate the shutter speed. Use the histogram to verify, then adjust. Don't trust your eyes or the LCD screen. I would go for the fastest shutter speed possible, to get sharpness-- particularly when shooting motion shots. You can always go for underexposure and then rescue it in RAW processing.
BTW, I like the last shot. A lot. I don't like the composition of RBrogen's edit; in all honesty I dig the off centeredness of the original. If anything, I would clone out what little shadow details can be seen on the right side. Makes a sort of faux chiaroscuro effect. Very evil, which is nice. Aslo, excellent catchlights in the eyes. Typically they are at 10 0'clock or 2 o'clock, but in the bottom center, again, they make her look wicked. Nice.
Almost everything I took that day came out underexposed. I actually was in manual, and at every 'station' the person running the setup told us what aperture, iso, and shutter speed to use. So I was really surprised when everything came out dark! Could it perhaps be my camera at fault? Or were every one of the helpers wrong about the settings?
RBrogen, I love what you did with that! I agree with Justicerio that I liked the off center composition of the original one, but what you did to light up her face is so beautiful! I have a copy of Lightroom that I have not learned how to use yet, I need to pick up a book or something.
Man, there is so much to learn!
Thank you all so much for your feedback.
Could very well be that your calibration is off.... If the cam is consistantly under-exposing, I'd adjust the exposure compensation until I had a 'good' histogram. Then I'd forgat awl about it and take pics.
Or,,, when in manual, tweak the aperture
> ALWAYS TRUST THE HISTO!!!
Welcome to the show!!
Impressive shots. Did u photoshop any?