Is my lighting acceptable? (Page 2): I prefer Paintshop Pro 7,8,9 easier and faster...

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I prefer Paintshop Pro 7,8,9 easier and faster

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

are my efforts ok

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I personally think you did very well for starting and then coming here for C&.C
First off the softening was great - any thing-paper of white cloth works if you don't have an opaque plastic cover for your flash. - get a book on lighting & flash use.
Second - a tilt head flash to direct & use "bounce flash" will solve that shadow problem- usually
Third - PP with digital editing to remove/clone out unwanted items
such as the object behind his head is important with these candid shots Do what is called "Boarder Patrol"- go thru and around the photo to determine what you want in the photo and don't want - then decide how best to eliminate it by cropping or cloning.
Don't be affrade to use PP in candid of quick photo moments just continue to learn like you are practice and ask questions.
IMHO
Harvey

ftpecktim Loc: MONTANA

JR1 wrote:

Personally I think you need to post process it

I have given it a more natuaral skin colour and remoded distracting backgrounds, and you know how fast this was dome

Nice job on background,but you did his face no favors ,the original looks better.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Perhaps it's the monitor or upload, looks fine on my EIZO FlexScan

Lajdh1941 Loc: Long Island

ftpecktim wrote:

JR1 wrote:

Personally I think you need to post process it

I have given it a more natuaral skin colour and remoded distracting backgrounds, and you know how fast this was dome

Nice job on background,but you did his face no favors ,the original looks better.

ftpecktim I didn't do any of the changes. JR1 made those changes. I am becoming a frustrated old guy here trying to learn something about PP. I would be thrilled if I only knew how to remove something from a background. It would be great if I could talk to someone on the phone that would walk me through the process just 1 time. I have Photoshop 7 but I have no clue where to start with that. I bought my first DSLR 9 months ago and have learned a lot but I still have a long ways to go.

Lajdh1941 Loc: Long Island

Lajdh1941 wrote:

quote=ftpecktim quote=JR1 Personally I think you... (show quote)

Whoops !!!! I didn't notice ftpecktim that you were responding to JR1 SORRY

ftpecktim Loc: MONTANA

No problem,Here is a couple links,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kcTDSJmmos&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDLand84RKw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w-khpEU8n8&feature=related
These three should get you a good start,I will pm my number if you like.

Lajdh1941 Loc: Long Island

ftpecktim wrote:

No problem,Here is a couple links,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kcTDSJmmos&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDLand84RKw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w-khpEU8n8&feature=related
These three should get you a good start,I will pm my number if you like.

Thank's ftpecktim !!! Appreciate your help and your offer. I just watched those Youtube tutorials you suggested and that was some help. I just recieved a call from the instructor of the class I attended last Saturday and he is coming to my house next Thursday for a 1 on 1 2hour lesson. He has been a pro for 30 years and uses Canon equipment too. He only charges $50.00 for a 2 hour session. I am all excited now and can't wait. I have started my list of questions already. Wish me Luck.

Lajdh1941 Loc: Long Island

Harvey wrote:

I personally think you did very well for starting ... (show quote)

Thank You Harvey !!! Appreciate your advice and things are finally looking up. I just got a call from the instructor of the lighting class I attended last Saturday and he does private sessions for $50.00 for 2 hours and he is coming to my house next Thursday so I am starting my list of questions already. All excited here now.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I am sure you will never regret spending the $$ on the privite lighting lessons - I got my lessons in a camera group that met twice a month - once for lesson, show & tell, and such -the second was competition - so it was easy to ask questions & get hands on lessons.
As for your Photoshop skills - once you get the hang of a couple three of the basic tool - clone tool & brushes, layers and these three> copy> past> move> erase, you will be on a roll.
LOL
PM me any time for basic PS 7 "stuff"
Harvey

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I am sure you will never regret spending the $$ on the privite lighting lessons - I got my lessons in a camera group that met twice a month - once for lesson, show & tell, and such -the second was competition - so it was easy to ask questions & get hands on lessons.
As for your Photoshop skills - once you get the hang of a couple three of the basic tool - clone tool & brushes, layers and these three> copy> past> move> erase, you will be on a roll.
LOL
PM me any time for basic PS 7 "stuff"
Harvey

Patw28 Loc: PORT JERVIS, NY

Great shots but questionable question.

"Acceptable"? "Good enough" is never good enough!

Lajdh1941 Loc: Long Island

Patw28 wrote:

Great shots but questionable question.

"Acceptable"? "Good enough" is never good enough!

Thank You Patw28 !!! That's the proper attitude. Always strive to make it better. I am still working on it.

General Dogsbody Loc: Suffolk UK

If you are happy with the results, than the lighting is acceptable. Who are you trying to please?

If you want to learn something about lighting with flash this winter and have an hour or two(hundred) to spare go to http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html