Emmasmom Loc: Missouri

I recently purchased some lights for a "home" studio, I have never worked with studio lights so I know nothing about setting them up, here is a picture of my set up and then a few pictures I took, I need help on set up and lighting issues, what would you all suggest to get a more "natural" look in the photos.

Studio Set UP


Picture 1


Picture 2

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Less light, smaller aperture number for less depth of field, and more distance between the subject and the backdrop would be a very good start.
You might want to use a little steam to get the fold wrinkles out of your backdrop too, they are very unflattering.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

AS MT said- move the subject away from the background.
The background is supposed to BE in the background.
Also looks like you're usng tungsten lighting.
Set your color balance to tungsten, or better yet, find out how do do a custom white balance with your camera.

Also, those are pretty small umbrellas. Softer lighting comes from a big light source. If you can't go bigger, go closer with them.


I've been where "HELP!" comes out of my mouth, but my wife always asks: "Help with what?"
Keep that in mind on your next post.

I only read these non-specific cries out of curiousity.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Hi EmmasMom,
I've been there, done that so I think I understand how you might feel. You've got a good start... much nicer than my first setup! You might want to experiment a bit more with your lights. I might be wrong, but it appears you had both lights pretty close. An old Portrait photographer who mentored me pounded it in my head to think of the 'main' light as the sun. ANY other light should be only for mood or to soften shadows, etc. Actually, sometimes one light can render some pretty interesting portraits but of course that's not for every one you shoot. The tip about separating your subject from the background is a good one, but I understand there again when you need to include the floor, how one can 'run out' of backdrop. For 'just starting out', I'd say you came up with some pretty darned good shots. Keep shooting and playing with the lights and pretty soon, you'll hear something 'click' and you'll know what looks right and what doesn't. When using strobe, unless you have modeling lights to give you an indication of where the light will fall on your subject, it's a guessing game, but still possible with experimentation. With constant light, as long as you have enough, (which it appears you do), just keep in mind... the sun for your main... fill with the rest. I'll bet you'll be sending some winners to Hog soon... we'll be watching. The suggestion of a larger aperture, (if possible) is also a good suggestion... sharp subject and not-so sharp background. Good Luck.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

EmmasMom,
I hope you'll forgive me for dabbling with your work, but I thought this might give you an idea of a similar (or alternate) effect you can derive with MT Shooter's suggestion, (sharp eyes, blurred background). Also, using the old adage, 'there us usually a good picture within every picture', I took the liberty of 'tipping' the little girl considerably and cropping to show this tighter shot. Hope it may give you some ideas to persue.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Here is the results of which I spoke, up above.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I would agree with all that I've read. Another thing to consider, if you can replace the lights with either pure white, which the camera will react very well to... television style bulbs are pure white (I did a career in television) and the subject color is always very natural. Anytime you watch the news the anchor people on set are sitting under pure white light.

If not pure white then something with a daylight type shade. You know the CFL bulbs that a daylight color. If you can get something like that in about 500 watts or above each that would help.

I don't agree with larger umbrellas rather move them back a little or adjust your f/stop. I think back would be better because your subject's face seems a little hot to me.

Your first step would be to meter the scene with your subject in it and then set that and shoot - look - and adjust and shoot again.

Best of luck. Jim

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I would suggest a book--"Lighting" by Brian McLernon. He goes into good detail about studio and natural lighting situation and placement of lights to acheive different looks.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

You are picking up reflected light from the red curtain on the left side. You should have a gray or white or black color for the walls. any color will be reflected into your images. Look closely at your images and you will see red shadows on the side of the subject facing the red wall. This will greatly improve your color.

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

Over exposed, try moving at least one light to the side for shadowing and one up and behind the subject to give backlighting, say about 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It's difficult to help when the EXIF data is stripped from each image. Only the girl seated has some EXIF data. Also it's best when asking for help to check the box (store original) so that we can play with such settings at white balance. If you place a grey card in your subjects hands in the beginning I think it would help in post to get the correct wb. Or create a custom wb with a grey card in the beginning. That red curtain may be causing some color cast and any other lights in the room may also cause problems getting the wb right.

nikon_jon Loc: Northeast Arkansas

There is a train load of information printed on almost every aspect of photographic equipment and procedure. I know everyone is very busy these days, but the solution to your problem is the Triple R+P...read and practice, read and practice, read and practice.

Nothing wrong with picking someone's brain from time to time. I have done my fair share of it. But you need to have that base of knowledge that comes from the Triple R+P.

Hector Loc: Victoria Harbour Ont

I agree with nikon jon
go back to basics
you have a great start constant lighting is good way to learn how to see the light

i can fully understand your frustration
as a photographer freind of mine once said keep the passion curb emotion

just a case of to much to soon... try one ligt source...then after a time add a reflector.. you just might surprize yourself

i used one of kids stuffies to practise ,,relax and have fun
Cheers