toptrainer Loc: Wellington

I am very new at photography, I am able to take good pictures outside, at parties, landscape etc. I am trying to get into taking portraits at my house and I am having trouble with the lighting. I have a Canon T3i, a Canon 430ex 2 Speed Light, a Canon 28-135 mm ultrasonic lens, a Canon 50MM lens, 2 lights with umbrellas with 45w 5500k 110v, and a back light (same bulb), a 10x12 backdrop with Black, Green and White material. I also have an off camera flash release and an extra umbrella with a silver inside and a black back. I should have everything I need but I cant get the lighting correct, maybe its the position of the lights ( are those lights bright enough?). The position of my flash, or the settings on my camera. If anyone can help with some good ideas I would really appreciate it. This picture info: 1/40 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100

My Niece

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

It is not easy to tell you exactly what to adjust without seeing your lighting arrangement.
Ultimately this can be as much art as science depending on the look you are seeking.
Some initial observations:
1) Move the back drop further back.
2) Avoid lighting the back drop directly
3) Your example photo seems a little over exposed to me.
4) Try using a larger f/stop (smaller number, (f/4.0) to help blur the background (eliminate folds and fabric texture)
5) Try using a light pointed at the back of your subjects head to provide some rim lighting.
6) Work with your fixed lighting (non strobe) first as it is generally easier to adjust and modify (unless you understand your strobe's manual settings and can dependably trigger it remotely.)
7) Experiment and experiment until you find the look YOU want and like. That is the best way to learn.

Good luck and keep on trying until you develop a style you like and can control.

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

Thank you for your advice do you think those lights are powerful enough?

N

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

Also, if I use a flash with an umbrella light on either side of my subject, which side should the flash be.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

In the specific example you posted (your next photo may be different) your "key" light (the one on camera-right) is a little too high in the air. And your "fill" light (the one on camera-left) is either too weak, or too far away (the shadows are too dark).
You're are sure doing better than many beginners...don't be frustrated. Remember also: anything we may tell you is based on the specific example you show us, and will be superseded by your ongoing experience.
You're doing great, dude...keep it going!

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

Thank you for your feedback, I do think the lights are too weak. My wife bought me the cowboy studio setup andI think I need to go brighter. Any suggestions on some cheap lights that will do the trick?

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

Also I am using a flash, any suggestions where that should go in a photo like that.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Actually, toptrainer, the Cowboy set-up is fine for single subjects, I wouldn't try doing 4-5 people. I don't know how far from your cute little gal your lights were, you may be able to move them in closer, or bump your ISO up a couple notches (if you were at 100, go to 400) to allow a little higher shutter speed.
I would probably use your electronic flash as the "key" light, since that's usually the direction your subject will be looking, and it'll be easier on their eyes.
I notice the "bulb" with your Cowboy outfit is 45W, you might look for a higher wattage bulb, but it's not urgent. Work with what you have, and don't be too quick to change equipment until you become proficient with what you have. Buying new equipment too quickly often leads to buying wrong equipment!
Notice the shadow areas on the left side of your subjects face and her right arm...they are too dark for a picture of a little girl. A character study of an old man with wrinkles, perfect. It makes for a rather "moody" photo. Also, try to keep her from "locking" her right elbow as it creates an unnatural look.
Ask questions any time, and it's always good to post a photo with your questions.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

OK - This lighting requires a dark background. Few things worse than a wrinkled white background anyway. If you go white it must be with no detail.

I'll come back to that. I think the lights are perfect for what we would call a low-key image. That is one in which there are relatively dark shadows - BUT it needs a dark background. Looking at the nose shadow, I think your main light is about the right spot. You could do with a small amount of fill close to the camera and just a bit higher than the lens. This needs to be a stop maybe stop and a half less light than the fill as measured AT the subject. Just enough to soften the shadows a bit and put some catchlight in her eyes. A reflector over to camera left and no more than about 30 degrees or so off the camera-to-subject axis could also work well. In any case, a fill light never casts any shadows, that is the job of the main light.

You have what is known as a mixed-key image - subject and lighting is low-key, background is high key. Not a horrible thing, but one should know the rules before breaking them so when you DO break them it is for a reason - not a mistake.

Let's get back to the background: If you go white, that is high key and you need to light the background so that is is just a bit brighter than the subject - 1 to 1 1/2 stops usually works well. NO DETAIL in the white. THEN you generally want to light the subject a bit flatter (more evenly - not so much shadow). Subject then would wear lighter clothing - whites and pastels.

Try this: exact same image with the same lighting but use that black background. Her hair may well blend into the background since she has dark hair, but the flower in the hair should help. Forget the hair light for now. Get good images with ONE light - may one and a reflector - before adding a second light. Trust me- if you cannot get good images with one light, adding more is not the answer.

Always get that umbrella as close to the subjects as you can, that will give the softest light. The shadows I see are a bit hard - not horrible, but getting the umbrella closer will give a more gentle highlight-to-shadow transition.

I do not think you need more light - exposure on her face looks perfect.

It is easier to show sometimes than to describe. Here is an example of each.

Low Key - dark shadows


High Key - white BG, less shadow

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Ah...the catch lights, Cliff, the catch lights! I'm usually a stickler for them, can't believe you noticed and I didn't! Damn! Good call!

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

Thank you, how is this one I took the other day?

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Now THAT is Low Key!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I think I hear Barry White.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Well...not THAT low.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

TopTrainer, you're not asking about this, but in your low key portrait, the nose should not be outside of the edge of the cheek in a 3/4 pose. The head should be turned a little more to the subject's right.