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Some comments on one of my first off-cam-umbrella shots
AaronJAnderson
Registered Users Posts: 28 Big grins
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aa8888/5483817206/in/photostream/
I had a little dinner party a few days after setting up my first off camera flash setup.
I'm shooting through a Photoflex 60 inch Convertible Umbrella (This thing is HUGE!) Everything in manual mode. Triggers are the Yongnuo RF602's. These are excellent for 38 dollars! I can't get to the exif data right now, but will later.
As I said, it was after a dinner party (as in, nobody should operate heavy machinery) so please be nice.
I'm working on getting a second strobe set up in the year for some effect. What (technically) would you have done different, or did I do well in this shot?
I had a little dinner party a few days after setting up my first off camera flash setup.
I'm shooting through a Photoflex 60 inch Convertible Umbrella (This thing is HUGE!) Everything in manual mode. Triggers are the Yongnuo RF602's. These are excellent for 38 dollars! I can't get to the exif data right now, but will later.
As I said, it was after a dinner party (as in, nobody should operate heavy machinery) so please be nice.
I'm working on getting a second strobe set up in the year for some effect. What (technically) would you have done different, or did I do well in this shot?
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Comments
The orientation of the flash and umbrella is awfully much like Rembrandt lighting. As such, it's not bad for the male subject but definitely not too flattering for the female subject. It also looks like the flash was too close to the umbrella and/or not using any diffusion of the light from the flash to better fill the umbrella. It also looks like pretty strong contrast in processing the image.
I suggest that next time have the flash fill the umbrella and try the umbrella again in shoot-through orientation and very close to the subjects, but positioned higher and with some sort of fill light, even if just from a reflector like a large white card on the opposite side of the subjects from the light, but with the reflector card close to the camera. (Alternately use a second flash for fill.) Also process the image with less contrast to try to bring out the shadow detail and prevent loss of detail in the highlights.
It's still much better than flash used straight ahead so you can be commended for a more interesting light that really does work pretty well for the male.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
The photo-taking was totally ad-hoc and in the background of the dinner party, not expected or planned at all. Not making excuses for myself, I save these threads in a journal for reference.
Anyway, one flash fired through a 60 inch umbrella that was probably 5 feet away from the subjects. It was a little low because there is a fan in the way, even with a cathedral ceiling. I was directly in front of them and the 'brella was to the side of me. I posted the same picture at dpreview.com and got some good advice for positioning the flash in the umbrella. I think I may have had it zoomed in to 105mm on accident. We were more concerned about fun than good photos.
I neglected to buy a reflector not knowing how good it would be to have one. Everyone who I've shown this photo to (photogs anyway) all say the same thing, "what, no reflector?" So I'm going to try and find one on B&H and get it ordered today. I'm trying to decide if I want to buy an additional umbrella, or if I want to get a constant light source. Perhaps one of the 5x85watt CFL setups. Either have that in an octabox or umbrella, haven't decided.
I tend to use all electronic flash and flash modifiers just because I find it easier to point and to moderate the output.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
re: lighting equipment.... I was thinking about having one constant light at least so I can do some food photography.. it'd just be nice to have the light to make focusing easier, etc.
Finally you missed focus on the eyes (maybe it is your lens?). The image is soft overall. Try f4 and single focal point over one of their eyes.
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
actually I am with you on your eval of the 1st image. I kinda like it.
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
The 2nd one is a little out of focus... i was wasn't paying attention to it for this, just firing at will and letting auto focus do its thing.
Butterfly & Rembrandt refer to the types of Shadows on their faces. His, has a Rembrandt. The Master Painter used that type of shadowing in his portraits. And Below her nose is a butterfly. Neither are very strong here, but they are there. The out of focus thing makes sense now!
Your style seems very urban--so real. Personally, for this kind of style I'd just use a camera mounted flash and you'd get that cool, party like style image. But job well done! Like your style.
Erin