Practice with my boy...

GadgetRick

Ok, working hard to get better at portraits. Was practicing this afternoon with my older son (Luke). Had a 580EX II through a softbox and a gold reflector. Not sure if I like the gold reflector or not (too close to the background) but more interested in what you feel about the lighting on these.

Thanks.

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Qarik

he has some great expressions.

The lighting over all is good though imo the images are underexposed just a touch and varies from shot to shot. I don't really care for the background as it matches the skin tone too much. Can I ask how large the umbrella and how far away it was?

Agnieszka

What a cute set, your boy is adorable!!!

I like what you did. Only nippedy-nip from me would be that HIS left side is way too dark / I'd even the light out a bit more

Mike J

So I'll be the first to admit that I know very little about studio lighting but I think you need to raise your light some to get the classic loop lighting (http://www.portraitlighting.net/patternsb.htm) which you are close to here.

Seatime

Nice shots. I especially like the first one. I think you should use a contrasting color for a background. In the first shot, I have to strain to see the outline of his face. The background just blends in with his complexion. Lighting looks nice to me. You sure have a handsome son.

GadgetRick

Thanks for the comments. I'm still learning so it's all appreciated.

I have a 20"ish softbox I was using as a diffuser. Obviously camera left at about 45 degrees with a gold reflector camera right just next to the subject. I took a shot sans reflector and didn't like it because that side of the face (my son's left side) was way too dark for my taste. This bumped it up a bit but I wasn't sure if it was bright enough. Obviously it wasn't. Have to move the flash closer to the camera I think. (?)

The background (unfortunately) couldn't be helped because it's the color of the wall. Just ordered a background setup. But I agree on the color not working very well. I wanted to practice lighting on the subject.

I'm finding portrait shooting to be my toughest task out of all types of photography I've been working on. I know I can get the lighting down with some more practice. My problem is posing. These shots didn't take much in the way of posing since it's really only headshots (more or less). I find myself struggling with posing more than anything.

Thanks for your comments! I'll keep working on it!

GadgetRick

Ok, some more (spontaneous) practice. The wife and my other little guy wanted to play (still had it all set up from yesterday). I was also playing with a new wireless shutter release I just got from China (thanks for the tip Art Scott!) so the focus isn't always on what I wanted it on. I'm more concerned about lighting. I moved the softbox right next to the camera.

Also, disregard the background, obviously, the picture in the background wouldn't be there if I were doing a real shoot.

Thanks.

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I really like the lighting better on these. The last shot would be great if it weren't for the picture in the background and the focus being soft on his left (right side as you're looking at it) eye.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

ows4428

I really like those shots. The colors really pop and the eyes look fantastic. Good job.

GadgetRick

ows4428 wrote: »

I really like those shots. The colors really pop and the eyes look fantastic. Good job.

Thanks. Working hard to improve my meager skills...