Bridal Portrait Using One Studio Light: This was shot in my living room. The background is a painted scene on a canvas backdrop. On the right side of her face are the ends of tree...

jim quist Loc: Missouri

This was shot in my living room. The background is a painted scene on a canvas backdrop. On the right side of her face are the ends of tree branches that once I see it I can't unsee it.
Jessi is standing in the archway of an off-the-wall prop with the canvas backdrop a couple of feet behind her. I wanted to highlight her face looking at the flowers. I used one light (White Lightning x1600) placed behind the prop and directed between her and the backdrop. Reflected light is lighting the backside of her dress.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

Very nice. The bride must love it.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Nice capture, thank you for sharing. And thanks for the lighting explanation. I've been reading up on studio lighting recently. All examples appreciated and helpful.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

very nice!

CO

That's a nice lighting setup. What bothers me is that a large part of the right side of her head has gone completely black and is void of all detail. I would lighten that area a little so that some detail in her hair can be seen - the way it is on the top of her head. The hair on the top of her head is still dark but some detail can be seen. Maybe a reflector on her right side to bring in a little more light. That's just my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Nicely done.

Ourspolair

I think that the lighting you chose highlights the area that you wanted, showing the eyes focused on the bouquet.
Having looked at this for several minutes, I can see some merit in CO's comments but you chose not to share the larger version, so it is a tough call from the "thumbnail". You should definitely clone out the tree, though...

jim quist Loc: Missouri

CO wrote:

That's a nice lighting setup. What bothers me is that a large part of the right side of her head has gone completely black and is void of all detail. I would lighten that area a little so that some detail in her hair can be seen - the way it is on the top of her head. The hair on the top of her head is still dark but some detail can be seen. Maybe a reflector on her right side to bring in a little more light. That's just my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong.

I agree with what you have said, and share your thoughts. The only thing I would do different was have her turn her head a little more toward the light making sure her cheek still frames the nose. There was nowhere to place a reflector to catch the light, that light was buried between the prop and the wall and the bride. The reflected light was coming off the prop behind her. There just wasn't much wiggle room here.

CO

jim quist wrote:

I agree with what you have said, and share your thoughts. The only thing I would do different was have her turn her head a little more toward the light making sure her cheek still frames the nose. There was nowhere to place a reflector to catch the light, that light was buried between the prop and the wall and the bride. The reflected light was coming off the prop behind her. There just wasn't much wiggle room here.

I see what you say about her nose. I know the rule in portraiture that the nose should not break the plane of the cheek on the far side of the face. You got that just right in the photo.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

reguli Loc: Uruguay

To use a single light, it is a nice photo. If I were you, I would move the light a bit to the left to brighten the girl's right side or use a reflector on her right.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very nicely done, Jim.

Jeffers

A unique approach, very well done.