playing with light

[peterw119]

Hi

thought I would try something diferent with my new soft box. put the model in front of the light and used a reflector to bounce some light back in. I think I needed more light than given from the reflector.

comments constructive criticism appreciated.

Pete

[SamBeasley]

I've seen the technique you talk about (haven't tried it, though -- I don't have a softbox big enough ), and I think you can get some pretty cool stuff with it. I don't really see the need for more light on her front than what the reflector provided.

Do you have any of her looking at the camera? With that dramatic type of lighting I'd also like to see some more dramatic expressions, hand/arm positioning... I'm not sure what... or even some "subtle" drama, just with her eyes or something... Sorry if I'm not making much sense (it all makes sense in my head! ). I guess what I'm saying is I like the lighting itself, but her expression says something different than the lighting to me. Of course I could also be just way off in left field here, too, and if I come back and look at it tomorrow it could say something totally different to me. I'm weird like that.

Either way dude, keep it up!

Sam

[moscato_images]

I have only tried this once after seeing it done on a video. If you have something white (reflector) with a hole in it where you can stick your camera through and shoot you can get a nice 'ring light' in the eyes. I prefer white rather than silver or gold reflectors.

[peterw119]

Hi Sam

this was taken with a more direct look and a large fan to give a bit of movement to the hair.



Pete

[SamBeasley]

Hey Pete,

Er, sorry for the late reply... Sometimes my mind wanders, and I tend to forget things. Hope you don't mind, but I played with your last image in PS a bit and tried cropping it more tightly. I liked it best when I cropped most of the area away from above her head (slightly cropping into the top of her head) and cropping most of the dress/top away from the bottom, and coming in on the sides. I'm sure that's just a personal preference, but either way, I like the eye contact here.

Hehe, okay, gotta get to work on my portfolio... I'm tired of the real world, so I'm trying to get back in school.

Sam

[peterw119]

Hey Sam

Are you going to show me your version?

Pete

[jimmyd]

i don't think the problem is needing more light, i think the problem is the contrast... it's flat.

[peterw119]

thanks Jimmy

I have a play with it and re-post

Pete

[SamBeasley]

Hey Pete,

Okay, after playing with it for a while, this is the crop I was most happy with:



It's a little different than what I originally tried (I left more space on the right side). It's just MHO, but the most important cut I felt was the space above her head. Anyways, just something to think about.

Have a good one,

Sam

[peterw119]

Hi Sam

That works well too, nice Black and white too

Pete