Lighting question
Jan 21, 2012 00:59:24 #
Tonight while I had my lights set up I took advantage of my little six-year-old grandson Jorge and used him as a guinea pig for my very first attempt at photographing people under lights. Please pardon his chocolate mustache, he just finished some ice cream.
I improvised a background with a sheet of brown cardboard, using two 105w fluorescent lights without umbrellas or diffusion of any kind.
Nikon D-60
Nikon 55-200 zoom @ 80mm
1/30 sec exposure
f4.5
ISO 400
My question is, how can I set up lights to do a better job. I just put out two lights at random, one on each side. Would a diffuser have helped? Maybe a backlight? Something to make it a bit softer and eliminate some of the shadows?
Feel free to edit and repost anything I submit.
I improvised a background with a sheet of brown cardboard, using two 105w fluorescent lights without umbrellas or diffusion of any kind.
Nikon D-60
Nikon 55-200 zoom @ 80mm
1/30 sec exposure
f4.5
ISO 400
My question is, how can I set up lights to do a better job. I just put out two lights at random, one on each side. Would a diffuser have helped? Maybe a backlight? Something to make it a bit softer and eliminate some of the shadows?
Feel free to edit and repost anything I submit.
Jorgie
Jan 21, 2012 01:36:07 #
Lmarc wrote:
Tonight while I had my lights set up I took advant... (show quote)
think it's pretty prettyy good good... good light fill i think. like shadow strength give my eye's depth in picture
Jan 21, 2012 01:43:29 #
I don't know too much about portraiture but it looks pretty darn good to me.
Jan 21, 2012 02:31:15 #
He's a cutie .. it's a good photo ... the lighting does seem a bit harsh on his cheeks .. I don't know what kind of lights you were using but I think maybe tossing a white cloth over them would diffuse the light just enough. The cardboard is a good idea but it so closely matches his skintone ...with lighting like that maybe something a bit darker would be good.
Jan 21, 2012 02:37:19 #
On the other hand LOL ... all I did was make a tiny adjustment with curves and it seemed to make a huge difference so ... I think you may be on the right track.
Jan 21, 2012 08:32:11 #
Try using diffusers also a reflector card for fill and use the 2nd lite on the hair for definition. Nice first time job but try some things and shadows can be very good if use properly...
Jan 21, 2012 11:50:50 #
Pretty good start. Look at the shadow of his nose - see how it is straight across? You generally want that shadow to go off to one side and down - just like it would from the sun. That indicates the light to camera left is too low.
Now check the ear shadow - see it go down - that shows the light to camera right is higher - probably about where the camera left light should be.
The sharp shadows also indicate a small light source. A larger source (diffused) will soften those.
You could use a hairlight, but his dark hair against the lighter background does a good job of separation, so it is not a big deal.
One good guideline for lighting is that only ONE light should cast a shadow. That light, by definition, is the main light. So if the camera left light is your main, the camera right unit is too bright. That one should just fill in the shadows that would result from the higher-powered light to camera left. You need shadows for real portraits - some fashion photography and groups excepted.
I know this was a trial, but be sure he sits up straight - he is slouching.
Now check the ear shadow - see it go down - that shows the light to camera right is higher - probably about where the camera left light should be.
The sharp shadows also indicate a small light source. A larger source (diffused) will soften those.
You could use a hairlight, but his dark hair against the lighter background does a good job of separation, so it is not a big deal.
One good guideline for lighting is that only ONE light should cast a shadow. That light, by definition, is the main light. So if the camera left light is your main, the camera right unit is too bright. That one should just fill in the shadows that would result from the higher-powered light to camera left. You need shadows for real portraits - some fashion photography and groups excepted.
I know this was a trial, but be sure he sits up straight - he is slouching.
Jan 21, 2012 12:16:00 #
Thanks to all for the great input! I can see where your tips would make a big difference. The kids are coming over again this afternoon, so I'll try to use a few of your ideas and see what happens.
Also, it's a good opportunity to give him a lesson on how NOT to slouch! :thumbup:
Also, it's a good opportunity to give him a lesson on how NOT to slouch! :thumbup:
Jan 21, 2012 13:18:19 #
Lmarc wrote:
Thanks to all for the great input! I can see where your tips would make a big difference. The kids are coming over again this afternoon, so I'll try to use a few of your ideas and see what happens.
Also, it's a good opportunity to give him a lesson on how NOT to slouch! :thumbup:
Also, it's a good opportunity to give him a lesson on how NOT to slouch! :thumbup:
LOL good luck with that
Jan 22, 2012 08:06:28 #
NewEnglandPhotoguy
Loc: Chelmsford, MA
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GO to : http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html
You won't regret it.
Jan 22, 2012 12:25:19 #
To me this is a very nice portrait. Nevertheless, I would have asked him to turn his eyes toward the camera.
Jan 22, 2012 15:27:41 #
might try putting the lights higer up, the main light at 45 degrees to his right and close abt 3-4' if you have room see how this light affects him take photo then fill light to left also 45 degrees if main light is 3' then fill 5'-6'. to fill shadow under chin use white foam core placed close under the chin to bounce the light. With this lighting setup you can see the difference the light is casting on his face. Take photos of each lighting setup, main then turn off main and take photo of fill light. Then try one light to either the left or right at 90 degrees to subject and use fill card on opsite side. but me thinks you are on the right track, just keep shooting and experement, looks like you have white balance down pretty much...
Lmarc wrote:
Tonight while I had my lights set up I took advant... (show quote)
Jan 22, 2012 15:57:09 #
GREAT pic!!!
I like to see a portrait subject looking more toward the cam.
Consider raising the lights, just a bit. And, move 1 light a bit closer & the other a bit farther away, so there is about 1-fstop difference in the light falling on the subject.
Keep up the good work!
I like to see a portrait subject looking more toward the cam.
Consider raising the lights, just a bit. And, move 1 light a bit closer & the other a bit farther away, so there is about 1-fstop difference in the light falling on the subject.
Keep up the good work!
Jan 22, 2012 17:16:54 #
The color is great, you might get one of your lights to shine down in Rembrant fashion...a little shadow under the nose. Try one stop difference on each side of face looking from front. You have a good start though...
Jan 22, 2012 17:19:22 #
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