portrait lighting feedback

Stustaff

Hi this shot is from my first batch of shots in my home studio(spare bedroom)

Could I get some feedback on the results of my lighting set-up please? posted Original size so detail can be seen.



Original:
http://stuarthill.smugmug.com/photos/91803477-O.jpg

gpphotos

please take down the original and post the "L" size or smaller. if you want people to see the original then post a link. thanks

as for the photo, it looks noisy, what ISO where you shooting at?

also it looks like you didnt have a focus lock on them at all, i dont see anywhere in the pic thats really sharp.

did you crop these people from another photo?

padu

I agree with the comment above. Usually when I shoot portraits I use a greater DOF. Seems like you used a very shalow one here. (the hair of your model is out of focus)

Also, it is usually better to use a longer lens (60 to 100mm for example) to avoid some distortions caused by wider lenses.

Regarding the light, it still seems a bit flat to me. Perhaps moving it more to the side of your model?

My best advice though is: lots of experimentation... I'm setting up my home studio as well, and I shot easily 200 pictures just to find out a setup that I liked.

ivar

Hi Stu, I changed your photo to an L size instead of an O size, it's not really viewable otherwise, I've added a link to the original below the photo.

Stustaff

gpphotos wrote:

please take down the original and post the "L" size or smaller. if you want people to see the original then post a link. thanks Sorry, Ivar done it Cheers Ivar

as for the photo, it looks noisy, what ISO where you shooting at?

Exif says Iso 200, 50mm, F 2.8, 1/100 sec

also it looks like you didnt have a focus lock on them at all, i dont see anywhere in the pic thats really sharp.
focus lock was on the faces for this one, I may not of sharpened enough in post processing, its not something I have done before, any suggestions?

did you crop these people from another photo?
No i didnt my background was a touch grey though so I masked and brightened the background.

Thanks answers in Red above

Stustaff

padu wrote:

I agree with the comment above. Usually when I shoot portraits I use a greater DOF. Seems like you used a very shalow one here. (the hair of your model is out of focus)
Thanks I wonder if it is that or the post processing, see above comment

Also, it is usually better to use a longer lens (60 to 100mm for example) to avoid some distortions caused by wider lenses.
2 problems with this unfortunately...My room isnt long enough and I dont have one! good feedback though and I am going to look for a fast lens in that range for any Head shots.

Regarding the light, it still seems a bit flat to me. Perhaps moving it more to the side of your model?
I will try that, by flat do you mean no shadows?

My best advice though is: lots of experimentation... I'm setting up my home studio as well, and I shot easily 200 pictures just to find out a setup that I liked.
Good advice and some I will definately be taking. cheers

Answers again in red

Stustaff

ivar wrote:

Hi Stu, I changed your photo to an L size instead of an O size, it's not really viewable otherwise, I've added a link to the original below the photo.

Thankyou

Stustaff

Quick question is there anyway to reduce the distortion created by having to use a 50mm or wider lens, different angles or anything?