A Single Light Portrait

[soupman]

I wanted to use a single strobe for my lighting and did a series of photos with my model wearing a black hooded coat. She loves the effect. I want to do a little better on the post processing skin work. I am interested in hearing your feedback

One strobe overhead camera left and a gold reflector on the model's left.



f/13, 125, ISO 100
Canon xT
Tamron SP 28-75mm F/2.8

[Marchhair]

Beautiful model. I like the quality of light that you were able to get. I am a bit confused on what effect that you were trying to achieve. I think that I would either open up the shadows a bit or darken the picture a bit in post processing while trying to maintain the skin texture to get what you are looking for. Good experiment. We all must arrempt something new each day to stretch ourselves.

[jford]

Looks to me like a pretty good attempt to photographically produce a Rembrandt painting. Which, all things considered, is no small praise. But before your head swells, let me add that my current monitor is a low-end LCD which tends to distort things badly. For example, while her hand looks delicately pink and smooth, her facial skin appears to me much pinker and less even.
With the caveat about my monitor, I'd say it's a really nice piece of work.
Thanks for sharing.

[soupman]

Thanks. I think your monitor is spot on. Her hands look like the photo and your description of her face is very close also. I did very little PP as I was concerned about it not looking natural.

[soupman]

Thanks fo your comments. I thought about what you said when I was PP'ing the photos. But I think I like the hint of a background to the photo so she is not "floating" in the darkness. The hint of a background seems to anchor her. Either way, you are correct about experimenting.