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Aug 7, 2012 08:00:57   #
I also need a brighter light, any you can suggest? Can I buy in my local store.
berchman wrote:
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.
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Aug 7, 2012 07:38:41   #
Thank you,so many things to learn. I also have to get some brighter bulbs for my umbrella stands, I don't think those I have are bright enough. Do you have a suggestion what wattage I should go?
berchman wrote:
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.
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Aug 6, 2012 20:57:33   #
Thank you, how is this one I took the other day?
CaptainC wrote:
toptrainer wrote:
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
I am very new at photography, I am able to take go... (show quote)


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.
quote=toptrainer I am very new at photography, I ... (show quote)




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Aug 6, 2012 17:49:19   #
Also I am using a flash, any suggestions where that should go in a photo like that.
Danilo wrote:
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!
In the specific example you posted (your next phot... (show quote)
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Aug 6, 2012 17:47:39   #
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?

Danilo wrote:
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!
In the specific example you posted (your next phot... (show quote)
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Aug 6, 2012 13:35:48   #
Also, if I use a flash with an umbrella light on either side of my subject, which side should the flash be.
Festina Lente wrote:
toptrainer wrote:
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
I am very new at photography, I am able to take go... (show quote)
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.
quote=toptrainer I am very new at photography, I ... (show quote)
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Aug 6, 2012 13:21:58   #
Thank you for your advice do you think those lights are powerful enough?

N
Festina Lente wrote:
toptrainer wrote:
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
I am very new at photography, I am able to take go... (show quote)
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.
quote=toptrainer I am very new at photography, I ... (show quote)
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Aug 6, 2012 08:44:17   #
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

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Jul 17, 2012 12:11:12   #
Bangee5 wrote:
Toptrainer, what HDR program are you useing? I like your first photo at the start of this thread, it sets a mood if you know what I mean but there are different styles of HDR. Some like'em 'over cooked'. Others are looking for the full tonal range in their photographs. You do take good pictures, I can tell you that.


I use the same one you use, and maybe tweak it in ps6. Thank you for the compliment, I like your too.
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Jul 17, 2012 11:39:05   #
crazy4thread wrote:
toptrainer wrote:
Please let me know what you think.


It is pretty good but I think a little "over done". Can you some how get rid of some of the blue maybe? Kudos for trying. this is something I want to try but just haven't yet.


ok, here is the enterence to my community

Olympia in Wellington Florida.

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Jul 16, 2012 06:31:50   #
Biker_Chic wrote:
I like it I think you did a great job.


Thank you.
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Jul 16, 2012 06:30:25   #
jlrivera wrote:
toptrainer wrote:
That is what hdr is.

Toptrainer, can I post here my first HDR using Paint Shop Pro x4 ??

Yes, I would like to see it.
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Jul 14, 2012 23:50:23   #
That is what hdr is.
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Jul 14, 2012 23:49:46   #
Thank you
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Jul 14, 2012 23:15:26   #
Please let me know what you think.

Boynton Beach Inlet.

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