More Critiques

[briankdonnelly]

Not much traffic here in critiques, wish there was more. I always learn a lot when I read the critiques. So here are two more from a recent shoot...ready to learn!

[cwend]

From another newbie, so take my comments for what theyre worth...but with the dark background, i think you need more light on the model

[briankdonnelly]

Your comments are much appreciated! Thanks for taking the time.

In the first I wanted a fair amount of variation in the light to add some depth and interest. So for that shot I had the light source off to the side. Then I got to thinking maybe I was overdoing it, so for the second I repositioned the light source to be at a little less of an angle, and I added some bounce cards on the right.

In the end, I think #2 flat and generally under lit on her back. The first has the depth and character I was going for. But maybe I could have retained those attributes while brightening up her back side? Or would bringing up the light on her back side flatten out the image like #2?

[PhotoDave1]

Brian,

To me these images look like a single light set up with the light source coming from camera left, possibly a window. Is that how you set up the shot?

The lighting looks flat and lacking in contract. You could have used a reflector to camera right to balance the light and open up the shadows a bit.

If you would post the details of your lighting scheme it would help.

[briankdonnelly]

Dave,

Lighting diagrams are below. Sorry, lacking some detail in #2.

At the time I shot #1 I was liking the shadows.

f8.0, 1/160, ISO 100


For #2, I was feeling the shadows might be too heavy, and tried replacing the reflector with a secondary light source.

f8.0, 1/160, ISO 100

[SteveB]

When doing full length shots try shooting from a little lower position.

[briankdonnelly]

Originally Posted by SteveB

When doing full length shots try shooting from a little lower position.

Good point - I'm 6' 2", and this model is 5' 7". I typically shoot on a tripod in the studio, but don't necessarily think to adjust for height when I recompose wider. Thanks for the suggestion!

[BenE]

Originally Posted by PhotoDave1

Brian,

To me these images look like a single light set up with the light source coming from camera left, possibly a window. Is that how you set up the shot?

The lighting looks flat and lacking in contract. You could have used a reflector to camera right to balance the light and open up the shadows a bit.

If you would post the details of your lighting scheme it would help.

Am I looking at the same images?

I don't consider them flat lighting nor see a lack of contrast, in fact the lighting ratio is very high.. .maybe 6:1?

A small kicker light on the right could have produced a rim light.

[mfharper]

Originally Posted by BenE

Am I looking at the same images?

I don't consider them flat lighting nor see a lack of contrast, in fact the lighting ratio is very high.. .maybe 6:1?

A small kicker light on the right could have produced a rim light.

I agree with BenE, looks like a little too much contrast for my taste. Not flat lighting at all.

[briankdonnelly]

So... a matter of taste? Or maybe Dave and BenE are both making good points. I can see where in #1 there isn't enough contrast on her shirt - her curves get lost in the light. But then as BenE and mfharper note, maybe too contrasty on her back.

Given the lighting diagram and the results, what would you do differently? Did my setup adjustment for #2 make any sense?