I'm in love......with the lighting. for the heck of it try the exact same setup and pose just put the main on the left side but keep the exact pose. You'll get a short light and see if you like the results better.
this thread is super.
Darn Hack... I read this after I took today's photo or I would have don't just what you suggested. However, I did shoot her with short lighting of sorts but a different pose and slightly different setup.
Decided to use the posing table today and also to include one of the grids as a prop.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera right
1 Kicker - Large gridded strip boxes @ camera Left set @ f/4
Hair Light - AB400 with 20 degree grid directly over head on boom; around f/4 or so
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera left
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 110mm
And a second tighter shot with the softbox:
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 200mm
Love the color, exposure and lighting. I'm gonna pick on ya, watch out for splayed fingers. Minnie Mouse only has three fingers so keep the third and fourth one together, stupid but it does look better. Go figure.
PS thinking more, does the light prop help or hurt the image?
Love the color, exposure and lighting. I'm gonna pick on ya, watch out for splayed fingers. Minnie Mouse only has three fingers so keep the third and fourth one together, stupid but it does look better. Go figure.
PS thinking more, does the light prop help or hurt the image?
Thanks Hack. I want you to pick on me. I'm only on Day 8 and I've learned so much already. I know you've mentioned the fingers before and sometimes I don't agree entirely with you on it. This time I think I do. Will watch for that in the future.
As for the light in the shot, I'm on the fence about it. I like it but I can see how some may not. Here is a slightly different crop that down plays the box a bit. Not sure I like it more though:
This is a great series. On the light - maybe it bugs you because you know what it is? My wife had no idea what it was and thought it looked cool. Some times we forget that our gear is kinda cool - ya know?
I hope you plan on making this post sticky, and I hope that you'll never-ever delete these images because downloading 1095 pictures of your wife so I can look at them later would be... well... a little creepy.
Please feel free to post any reworks you do of my images. Crop, skew, munge, edit, share. Website | Galleries | Utah PJs
Tried it. My eyes focus on her still but it could be because I want them to go there. Not sure. I don't think it's too objectionable having the light in the scene so I don't mind it too much. I am going to try one of those flare shots this week. Maybe tomorrow.
This is a great series. On the light - maybe it bugs you because you know what it is? My wife had no idea what it was and thought it looked cool. Some times we forget that our gear is kinda cool - ya know?
I hope you plan on making this post sticky, and I hope that you'll never-ever delete these images because downloading 1095 pictures of your wife so I can look at them later would be... well... a little creepy.
Yeah. Sometimes we analyze things too much from a photographer's perspective and forget that 99% of the people viewing the image will have no clue about a lot of the things we fuss about. However, we are supposed to be the professional so we do have to look at photos with a critical eye.
Not sure about sticky-ing it though. I don't want to make it seem like I'm abusing my sticky-powers. I already feel like I'm spamming the forum by posting so many photos in this thread.
...
Not sure about sticky-ing it though. I don't want to make it seem like I'm abusing my sticky-powers. I already feel like I'm spamming the forum by posting so many photos in this thread. ...
Personally I think it would be ok, even appropriate to sticky it. Very informative, and I believe many are learning an awful lot here. I know I am.
John
"The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." - Ansel Adams
Not sure about sticky-ing it though. I don't want to make it seem like I'm abusing my sticky-powers. I already feel like I'm spamming the forum by posting so many photos in this thread.
This is definitely NOT spam! It's threads like this one that really make it possible to learn from this forum. It has all the benefits of the "pull backs" sticky with additional discussion and incremental changes to the light using the same model, and so far it looks like the same location (your living room). I think that this is most informative. The trick will be getting your wife to put up with it another 357 times.
Whether you sticky it or not is up to you, but I'm looking forward to seeing all 365 days.
OK. One more vote to sticky and I will. Will post today's photo later. Went with Hack's suggestion of doing same pose, same setup as Day 7's pic but moved the main to camera left so she is short lit.
Hack suggested I shoot the exact same pose and light setup as day 6, but with the key light swapped to the opposite side so her face is short lit. For those that don't know, short lighting is where the main (key) light lights the side of the face that is facing away from the camera. This lighting is effective at slimming the face so it's useful for shooting people with wide/oval-shaped faces. It's slimming because the camera-side of the face is in shadow.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera left
1 Kicker - Large gridded strip boxes @ camera right set @ f/4
Hair Light - AB400 with 20 degree grid directly over head on boom; around f/4 or so
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera right
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 200mm
^^ This last is my favorite lighting setup so far (not that they haven't all been good - they have - this one is just a look I particularly like. I always like reflected fill, I think).
Gonna pipe up and nit the pose on this one, though - something about where the shoulder is cropped + where her boob is in the frame + the batwing sleeve conspire to make her look waayyyy bigger than we know her to be....
Also, let me add my to this thread in general - it's awesome!!!
^^ This last is my favorite lighting setup so far (not that they haven't all been good - they have - this one is just a look I particularly like. I always like reflected fill, I think).
Gonna pipe up and nit the pose on this one, though - something about where the shoulder is cropped + where her boob is in the frame + the batwing sleeve conspire to make her look waayyyy bigger than we know her to be....
Also, let me add my to this thread in general - it's awesome!!!
Thanks for chiming in Diva. I agree with you. The comp is straight out of camera and it didn't bug me until after I posted it. Was waiting to see if anyone else said anything about it. Here is a different crop that I think you'll like better:
Something about the positioning of her head and shoulders. The shoulders seem to be stiff and not relaxed. I let my clients know that at times I will touch them in an appropriate manner, then I will push on their lower spine and they will pop right up and not slouch. At times I will gently push down on their shoulders and tell them to relax. She does not seem relaxed or she has alot of padding in the shoulder.
Yesterday, it only took me 3 shots to get the photo I wanted. Today, I took 12 frames and had a really hard time selecting one out of the 12 so I'm going to post two. I'm not sure if it's that I'm getting more proficient or just dumb luck but it's nice to get so many keepers from so little frames. Not too different a setup today... leaving the more difficult/involved ideas for the weekend when I have more time. I do like today's shot though. Like the overall tone of them. I also got a little bit of flare going from the right kicker. I was going to flag it but I kind of like it.
Oh... and hopefully my posing is improving. We'll see what Hack thinks.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera left
Kicker Left and Right - Large gridded strip boxes from behind and @ camera right and left set @ f/4
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera right
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 200mm
Noticed that when I pulled back to get her in 3/4 length, it introduced some flare from the kicker on the right. It's subtle but there and noted by the reduced contrast from the head shot.
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 95mm
I did this in a hurry but other talented retouchers would do much better. I did add a vignette as I love how it seems to draw the colors out rather than just a straight bkg. But these are my opinions so do what you want with them. What mm on the lens?
It's probably cached on your machine. Here is the new edit just in case. I probably could also clean up the one thick strand of hairs from her bangs but it doesn't bother that much:
My wife gets at least one package from Nordstroms everyday. Last night when we got home, this sweater was waiting inside a box on our porch. She modeled it for me this morning so we decided to use it in today's photo. We tried some standing poses today which is what we both seem to struggle the most with.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera left
Kicker Left and Right - Large gridded strip boxes from behind and @ camera right and left set @ f/4
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera right
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 135mm
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 175mm
Nice work as usual! Now that you guys have my full attention and I am hoping to learn, I hope that you don't mind if I join in the critique. One small nit - in the first shot her right wrist is bent a bit severely. A more gradual bend would look less painful.
Chad - www.brberrys.com
If I post it, please tell me how to make it better. My fragile ego can take it.
Comments
Darn Hack... I read this after I took today's photo or I would have don't just what you suggested. However, I did shoot her with short lighting of sorts but a different pose and slightly different setup.
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
Decided to use the posing table today and also to include one of the grids as a prop.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera right
1 Kicker - Large gridded strip boxes @ camera Left set @ f/4
Hair Light - AB400 with 20 degree grid directly over head on boom; around f/4 or so
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera left
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 110mm
And a second tighter shot with the softbox:
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 200mm
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
PS thinking more, does the light prop help or hurt the image?
www.cameraone.biz
Thanks Hack. I want you to pick on me. I'm only on Day 8 and I've learned so much already. I know you've mentioned the fingers before and sometimes I don't agree entirely with you on it. This time I think I do. Will watch for that in the future.
As for the light in the shot, I'm on the fence about it. I like it but I can see how some may not. Here is a slightly different crop that down plays the box a bit. Not sure I like it more though:
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
www.cameraone.biz
I hope you plan on making this post sticky, and I hope that you'll never-ever delete these images because downloading 1095 pictures of your wife so I can look at them later would be... well... a little creepy.
Website | Galleries | Utah PJs
If I post it, please tell me how to make it better. My fragile ego can take it.
Tried it. My eyes focus on her still but it could be because I want them to go there. Not sure.
Yeah. Sometimes we analyze things too much from a photographer's perspective and forget that 99% of the people viewing the image will have no clue about a lot of the things we fuss about. However, we are supposed to be the professional so we do have to look at photos with a critical eye.
Not sure about sticky-ing it though. I don't want to make it seem like I'm abusing my sticky-powers. I already feel like I'm spamming the forum by posting so many photos in this thread.
Glad you like it. Hopefully I'll see this project through till the end. I'm loving it so far.
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
Personally I think it would be ok, even appropriate to sticky it. Very informative, and I believe many are learning an awful lot here. I know I am.
"The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." - Ansel Adams
This is definitely NOT spam! It's threads like this one that really make it possible to learn from this forum. It has all the benefits of the "pull backs" sticky with additional discussion and incremental changes to the light using the same model, and so far it looks like the same location (your living room). I think that this is most informative. The trick will be getting your wife to put up with it another 357 times.
Whether you sticky it or not is up to you, but I'm looking forward to seeing all 365 days.
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
If I post it, please tell me how to make it better. My fragile ego can take it.
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
Hack suggested I shoot the exact same pose and light setup as day 6, but with the key light swapped to the opposite side so her face is short lit. For those that don't know, short lighting is where the main (key) light lights the side of the face that is facing away from the camera. This lighting is effective at slimming the face so it's useful for shooting people with wide/oval-shaped faces. It's slimming because the camera-side of the face is in shadow.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera left
1 Kicker - Large gridded strip boxes @ camera right set @ f/4
Hair Light - AB400 with 20 degree grid directly over head on boom; around f/4 or so
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera right
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 200mm
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
Gonna pipe up and nit the pose on this one, though - something about where the shoulder is cropped + where her boob is in the frame + the batwing sleeve conspire to make her look waayyyy bigger than we know her to be....
Also, let me add my
Thanks for chiming in Diva. I agree with you. The comp is straight out of camera and it didn't bug me until after I posted it. Was waiting to see if anyone else said anything about it. Here is a different crop that I think you'll like better:
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
www.cameraone.biz
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
Yesterday, it only took me 3 shots to get the photo I wanted. Today, I took 12 frames and had a really hard time selecting one out of the 12 so I'm going to post two. I'm not sure if it's that I'm getting more proficient or just dumb luck but it's nice to get so many keepers from so little frames. Not too different a setup today... leaving the more difficult/involved ideas for the weekend when I have more time. I do like today's shot though. Like the overall tone of them. I also got a little bit of flare going from the right kicker. I was going to flag it but I kind of like it.
Oh... and hopefully my posing is improving. We'll see what Hack thinks.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera left
Kicker Left and Right - Large gridded strip boxes from behind and @ camera right and left set @ f/4
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera right
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 200mm
Noticed that when I pulled back to get her in 3/4 length, it introduced some flare from the kicker on the right. It's subtle but there and noted by the reduced contrast from the head shot.
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 95mm
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
www.cameraone.biz
www.cameraone.biz
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
www.cameraone.biz
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
www.cameraone.biz
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
My wife gets at least one package from Nordstroms everyday. Last night when we got home, this sweater was waiting inside a box on our porch. She modeled it for me this morning so we decided to use it in today's photo. We tried some standing poses today which is what we both seem to struggle the most with.
3-Light Setup
Key Light - 30x60" Softbox set @ f/5.6 to camera left
Kicker Left and Right - Large gridded strip boxes from behind and @ camera right and left set @ f/4
Fill Light - Large round white reflector to camera right
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 135mm
D700: 1/250 @ f/5.6 ISO 100 | 70-200mm f/2.8: 175mm
Same shot as above but different crop
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
If I post it, please tell me how to make it better. My fragile ego can take it.