Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

I'm not looking for a pat on the back or people to tell me "oh, I don't agree, you're too hard on yourself" ... just making a public statement of disappointment in myself. Maybe to make me straighten up and be a little more careful.

Seems some of my photography in the studio is set up well, lighting is great, things seem to look great. Usually children. But many times, I struggle with lighting. Shadows, too dark, too blown out, just not good. Especially with groups and/or adults.

I did a photoshoot Friday morning, for my cousin's adult children to give to their mom for Christmas. I'm so disappointed. Just not good. Bad shadows on their faces, one of the three is super bright, another is dark, one is perfect. I have so much to learn. Tammy (studio owner) is very supportive and tells me, I'll get it. Don't worry about it.

But I just feel defeated sometimes, just having a great time clicking away, previewing on the back of my Nikon D300, and not SEEING the errors of my ways until I view on the computer screen. I guess the good thing is, for those shoots that are way off kilter in regard to lighting and such, She makes ME edit them. That's not a bad thing. If I spend 10 minutes on ONE picture to make it seem closer to 'right' then perhaps one day I'll be a little more careful and make sure the settings are good in the first place.

Ok, I'm done with my pity trip. Maybe tomorrow will be a much better day. I'm certainly going to take a little more time with my settings and lighting.

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

If all you need is to vent, or quiet support, hey, that's easy... :thumbup:

rickyd Loc: Dothan, Al

thinks I have read that some tether the camera to a computer so they can preview as they shoot, but as I have never attempted it I have no idea how it works,,keep practing with your settings, and keep shooting

Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

Yup, just needed to vent.

Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

sorry, double post. Guess I can't even do this right today, sheesh,!!! :? lol

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

We all have days like that...
It really is frustrating when we have a week like that but Murphy sometimes sticks around for a while before tormenting someone else. He has been at my house for a while now and I really wish he would move on. Maybe tomorrow we will both have a day without Murphy. :)

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

Susie, yep, some days you're the bat, some days you're the ball!

Bill, I don't mind if you keep Murphy busy for awhile. I don't miss him. :D

GT

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Studio lighting really requires a flash meter. Are you using one?
If you have one person too dark, one too light, and one is Goldilocks, chances are your light is too close. Practice does help, but thrashing around without someone there to help you and show you the way is very frustrating, I am sure.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

when do i get my turn

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Too hard on yourself. Look at each mistake you recognize as a lesson in learning.

Sarge

jdtx Loc: SA, Tx.

I think every photographer, in fact most everyone in most every endeavor, has those days or had them when they started out ..It is frustrating to be sure..that is experience in the frustration arena talking..there was another thread not long ago on here about "photo block", I think both are related sometimes if not most of the time..read, watch, view tutorials, study pictures..and keep going, only answer I know..that or take up knitting or some such,,but I am sure knitters..if that is a word, have bad days also..good luck..you do some very nice work with children by the way..

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

You know the old saying: "The more I practise, the luckier I get."

The main problem I have with lighting is excessive contrast. Stuff that's fine to the eye is too contrasty on film/on the sensor. Use a stronger fill light (read incident with a flat sensor or use a spot meter).

And with soft boxes, move CLOSER (= softer light) rather than further away. Counter-intuitive, but intellectually obvious.

Cheers,

R.

Dria Loc: Ohio

Susie--I totally get it!

vciro Loc: Wantagh, Long Island, NY

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."
James Joyce (1882 - 1941)
;)

Emmett Loc: Onalaska, Texas

Susie, shadows on some face and not others could be the way the poses and positions of each child is. Get a few kids together for some fun , practice with them, then take them out for a pizza. Moms get a 4x6 of them. Everybody wins!