If you do get bored and try a few more, do me a favor and try this.
Move the posing stool you are sitting on back about nine inches. Lean forward those nine inches to put your face in the same spot it is now and lift your face up toward the camera which should be slightly above eye level.
I think you will notice a big difference in the appeal of the photograph.
IMHO, so many people get all caught up in the lighting aspect and don't pay near enough attention to the posing aspect and the difference subtle moves can make in the overall look.
Bryce, I agree about needing to leanr about posing. I have spent most of my time learning lighting. Do you have a recommended list of material to learn about posing? Thanks/Peter
Of this last batch, I find the first two the best. And of those, I like the shot on the right.
With that said, I still think your shooting angle is still too low. Also, I think your light is a tad hot. I would have stopped down my lens about a 3rd of stop and that should have gotten the lighting right.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm shooting around eye height. Are you suggesting that I should shoot from above the eye line? Probably need a small set of steps for the shoot as there are a lot of tall people in our company :-) Thanks/Peter
Thanks for the feedback. I'm shooting around eye height. Are you suggesting that I should shoot from above the eye line? Probably need a small set of steps for the shoot as there are a lot of tall people in our company :-) Thanks/Peter
Or get a stool or chair for them to sit on. You need to shoot higher.
Or get a stool or chair for them to sit on. You need to shoot higher.
I thought I was shooting at eye level, but then realized that as I had the camera on a tripod (shooting my self) it was pointing down a bit and stationed at about chin level.
Just to confirm - eye level is the right level correct? I'm a bit confused now Thanks.
I'm using a 24x24 lastolite softbox about 3-4 feet away from my head around 40 degrees above my head. I do have the Octo softbox (40") that I could use or a 60" umbrella. suggestions? Thanks/Peter
Sorry it took me a little bit to get back to you. If you have a bigger light source I would use that. Do you a reflector of any sort? If I was to shoot it with your equipment I would use the Octobox on the open side of the face and place the it 90 degrees to the subject. The back edge of the octobox should line up with the back of the subjects head. This will help create a nice light fall off. It also produces great catch lights. I would also move the light in closer to about 2-3 feet from the subject. Then just add in the reflector and adjust to get the right amount of fill. Then throw in the kicker for the rim. Also yes your shooting height should be at or slightly above eye level.
I thought I was shooting at eye level, but then realized that as I had the camera on a tripod (shooting my self) it was pointing down a bit and stationed at about chin level.
Just to confirm - eye level is the right level correct? I'm a bit confused now Thanks.
You need to shoot higher than eye level. It makes double chins go away and if their shoulders are a bit of an angle to you, it makes their jaw lines more pronounced.
There isn't a set rule, you just have to experiment. No matter how well you light your subject, they are going to notice stuff like that. Work on your camera height. It depends on each subject. For full body shots it is generally better to shoot lower.
I wanted to thank all of you for your input and feedback for the shots. These are a sample of what I came up with. The background was a last minute request to meet corporate standards! Cheers/Peter
You did a fine job. I personally prefer this background over the ones you posted as practice. I'm sure they're happy with the results. Better than the corporate shots I've seen at my company. With that said, I wish you would have shot from a slightly higher angle. Not a lot, maybe just about a foot.
You did a fine job. I personally prefer this background over the ones you posted as practice. I'm sure they're happy with the results. Better than the corporate shots I've seen at my company. With that said, I wish you would have shot from a slightly higher angle. Not a lot, maybe just about a foot.
Thanks for the feedback. It's been a great experience and I will continue to practice this "black art":D
The company were really pleased with the results - even my boss was happy with his portrait and it was the only I actually got to tell him what to do
Great job! Great catchlights, nice even light fall off, and good lighting all around! Two thumbs up here! Only nit is they need to be a littttttttle bit higher!
You did a fine job. I personally prefer this background over the ones you posted as practice. I'm sure they're happy with the results. Better than the corporate shots I've seen at my company. With that said, I wish you would have shot from a slightly higher angle. Not a lot, maybe just about a foot.
What he said.
I'm glad it came around - This is better than most corporate stuff that I have seen - Seriously.
Comments
Bryce, I agree about needing to leanr about posing. I have spent most of my time learning lighting. Do you have a recommended list of material to learn about posing? Thanks/Peter
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Thanks for the feedback. I'm shooting around eye height. Are you suggesting that I should shoot from above the eye line? Probably need a small set of steps for the shoot as there are a lot of tall people in our company :-) Thanks/Peter
My images | My blog | My free course
Or get a stool or chair for them to sit on. You need to shoot higher.
I thought I was shooting at eye level, but then realized that as I had the camera on a tripod (shooting my self) it was pointing down a bit and stationed at about chin level.
Just to confirm - eye level is the right level correct? I'm a bit confused now
My images | My blog | My free course
Sorry it took me a little bit to get back to you. If you have a bigger light source I would use that. Do you a reflector of any sort? If I was to shoot it with your equipment I would use the Octobox on the open side of the face and place the it 90 degrees to the subject. The back edge of the octobox should line up with the back of the subjects head. This will help create a nice light fall off. It also produces great catch lights. I would also move the light in closer to about 2-3 feet from the subject. Then just add in the reflector and adjust to get the right amount of fill. Then throw in the kicker for the rim. Also yes your shooting height should be at or slightly above eye level.
You need to shoot higher than eye level. It makes double chins go away and if their shoulders are a bit of an angle to you, it makes their jaw lines more pronounced.
There isn't a set rule, you just have to experiment. No matter how well you light your subject, they are going to notice stuff like that. Work on your camera height. It depends on each subject. For full body shots it is generally better to shoot lower.
My images | My blog | My free course
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Thanks for the feedback. It's been a great experience and I will continue to practice this "black art":D
The company were really pleased with the results - even my boss was happy with his portrait and it was the only I actually got to tell him what to do
Cheers/Peter
My images | My blog | My free course
later, Aaron
What he said.
I'm glad it came around - This is better than most corporate stuff that I have seen - Seriously.