UPDATE.. got a hold of some lights

[Charlemagne]

Hello everyone,
Thanks again for helping me out with the lighting questions the resources and advise were well taken, I got a hold of my friend's lights, he let me borrow his Novatron set, it was 2 flash/modeling lights that were 200w/s each (I believe) anyways My setup was with a regular red polyester background with the model (My kids) straight in front of me with one light at a 45 degree angle to the model's left and the main light in front, both shooting throught soft white umbrellas, with large white reflector to the right of the model to help fill in.

Well here is my first humble attempt at this, I can't wait to get my alien bees package soon!!! Oh.. and some of the background I didn't fill in all the way in PS, so excuse the little red blotch at the top of the second photo!

Here they are:
My middle child Paul:
http://images19.fotki.com/v353/photos/5/548424/4213853/PauleCollar-vi.jpg

Another one of Paul:
http://images19.fotki.com/v353/photos/5/548424/4213853/Pauliedressshirt-vi.jpg

My oldest (5 years old) Peter, being silly!
http://images17.fotki.com/v28/photos/5/548424/4213853/PeterCollar-vi.jpg

And the last one of Peter:
http://images19.fotki.com/v353/photos/5/548424/4213853/Peterdressshirt-vi.jpg

Again.. I want to thank all of you for the help, please critique these hard, don't hold back I have thick skin and would appreciate all honesty (except on how silly my kids are, and the fact you can tell they didn't want to be there! LOL) Thanks again!!!

Charles

[Charlemagne]

Forgot to say, these were suppose to be samples for a yearbook type look.. so critique them from that standpoint (and others, I would definatley love to learn!!)

Charles

[Kevin]

Charles, first of all you have beautiful children! Knowing they're boys, I'm sure they're not as angelic as they appear here. ;)

Still not sure I know precisely the job you've got but based on them being yearbook style shots I think you're on the right track. Are they for children or adults? The lighting style may need to alter accordingly. Doesn't have to but typically for adults you wouldn't use straight on lighting, unless you're doing glamour style for women.

From a lighting placement perspective, the position looks good. To me, personally, the light you refer to as "main" which I believe you have placed at the camera could be brought down a tad. When your key and fill are at the same distance and same intensity, you'll lose shadowing of the face which creates modeling or contours.

I shot a high school senior recently for use in her yearbook. She brought her yearbook with her from last year and all shots implemented loop lighting. Key/main ~45* camera right with fill at camera axis. They appeared to be a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio, meaning facial shadows were noticeable. They were close in appearance to your posted shot #3. If you look closely, you'll notice the shadows are more prominant in that one.

I don't know if you'll be doing post processing on them but you may want to consider cloning out the fill light catchlight in the eye (the one in the pupil center). Theoretically, catchlights should be at 10p or 2p (on a clock) which is where yours appear.

I think you've done a fine job with these.

[Charlemagne]

Kevin,

Thanks so much, that was very helpful.. first of all you are right.. they are nooooowhere near as angelic as they appear here, actually they took their pants off during the shoot and just had shirts on.. what can you do.. LOL

I was wondering about the catchlights, I will do some PP work on this, and yes they will be for children that belong to a local association and will be having a yearbook so honestly, they just want the "Jcpenny portrait studio look" if you know what I mean, but I want to learn all the little things about studio lighting to be able to do different styles.. I think I will take a local course, there is a good school up the road from me in Delray beach, but I welcome your ideas, Thanks!

Charles

[Paul S]

The lighting looks really good for the purpose.

All of the ones on non-red backgrounds, have a red fringe around them--all the way around. There's also a different halo effect, which I think is just JPEG artifacts, around most of them.

-Paul

[Kevin]

Don't waste your money on a course. If you have a little ambition, you can learn it outside of a classroom. If I can learn the concepts and apply them in real life, anyone can. Let me dig up some more info for you. That Zeltsman link I sent you previously is very informative. I'll see what else I can send your way. ;)

[Kevin]

One other thing I forgot to comment on is to watch your camera angle. Look at the difference in the appearance of shots #2 & #3 in comparison to shots #1 and #4.

#1 & #4 have a lower camera angle and communicate a different perception of the individual than #2 & #3. When the camera angle is lower it gives the subject an authoritative appearance, similar to "looking down" at the viewer, whereas the camera angle being up higher gives a friendlier appearance to the viewer. Subtle, but yet distinct.

[Charlemagne]

The lighting looks really good for the purpose.

All of the ones on non-red backgrounds, have a red fringe around them--all the way around. There's also a different halo effect, which I think is just JPEG artifacts, around most of them.

-Paul

Thanks Paul... but that is a quick and sloppy background change in photoshop, when I have time I will go over them, I only had one plain red background to work with, so all the other colors you see here (including the desings) are PS'ed.

Thanks for the compliments!

Charles

[Charlemagne]

One other thing I forgot to comment on is to watch your camera angle. Look at the difference in the appearance of shots #2 & #3 in comparison to shots #1 and #4.

#1 & #4 have a lower camera angle and communicate a different perception of the individual than #2 & #3. When the camera angle is lower it gives the subject an authoritative appearance, similar to "looking down" at the viewer, whereas the camera angle being up higher gives a friendlier appearance to the viewer. Subtle, but yet distinct.

Wow.. now I know why you are paid the big bucks!! LOL Seriously,, didn't notice that, the camera will be on a tripod when it comes time to shoot for real, I was just a little confined with the space I had and didn't want to step in front of the main light, if there is a common way around that which I am (more than likely) overlooking, please let me know!

Thanks a million Kevin!

Charles

[Kevin]

Wow.. now I know why you are paid the big bucks!! LOL Seriously,, didn't notice that, the camera will be on a tripod when it comes time to shoot for real, I was just a little confined with the space I had and didn't want to step in front of the main light, if there is a common way around that which I am (more than likely) overlooking, please let me know!

Thanks a million Kevin!

Charles
Yeah, well, apparently they have my wrong address!! ;)

Whatever you did on #2 and #3 is your answer. I certainly can understand room limitations. One thing you can consider doing is to raise yourself (by standing on something) to get the increased angle. If they're seated you shouldn't have any problem. Just something to be conscious about. Typically, the suggestion is to keep the lens above the subject's nose level.

[Rudi]

Another thing to remember is that YOU will notice any shortcomings before the clients will. Seriously! We talk about subtle changes, etc, and it is important for US, so we can do the portrait the way we envision it, but unless you point it out to a client, they will not be consciously aware of those subtle changes. I think they would be happy with every sample you have posted so far. That IS good news, right? :D

Secondly, I agree with Kevin about NOT doing the course, unless you want to shoot "out-of-the-can" type portraits! A course won't tech you anything that you won't be able to learn by yourself, and in fact may restrict your thinking and approach to lighting.

If you want to take a course much later, with some photography and lighting whiz that has travelled the world and photographed every Playboy bunny since 1955, then THAT might be of help, although probably only if you want to photograph Playboy bunnies! :)

[Charlemagne]

Another thing to remember is that YOU will notice any shortcomings before the clients will. Seriously! We talk about subtle changes, etc, and it is important for US, so we can do the portrait the way we envision it, but unless you point it out to a client, they will not be consciously aware of those subtle changes. I think they would be happy with every sample you have posted so far. That IS good news, right? :D

Secondly, I agree with Kevin about NOT doing the course, unless you want to shoot "out-of-the-can" type portraits! A course won't tech you anything that you won't be able to learn by yourself, and in fact may restrict your thinking and approach to lighting.

If you want to take a course much later, with some photography and lighting whiz that has travelled the world and photographed every Playboy bunny since 1955, then THAT might be of help, although probably only if you want to photograph Playboy bunnies! :)

Yeah.. my wife will really like THAT one Rudi!! nonono; ///

You are sooooo right about the clientele.. I just got the email that they loved it and want to give me the contract for the association!! wooohooo!! this is not big time, but it is a good starting place and will get my foot in the door for much bigger and more lucrative contracts and projects!!
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your help and your honesty, you guys are the best.. I hope maybe we can all do the everglades sometime so I can buy a couple of rounds for everyone! :beerchug:

You guys rock!

Thanks again,

Charles

[Rudi]

Yeah.. my wife will really like THAT one Rudi!! nonono; ///

You must explain to your wife that this is ART! She will understand! Then again... beatdeadhorse :D

I hope maybe we can all do the everglades sometime so I can buy a couple of rounds for everyone! :beerchug:

I tell you what, Charles - you buy me the airline tickets, and *I* will buy the rounds! icondeal; :beerchug: 940; drinks; :alcohol:

[Charlemagne]

You must explain to your wife that this is ART! She will understand! Then again... beatdeadhorse :D



I tell you what, Charles - you buy me the airline tickets, and *I* will buy the rounds! icondeal; :beerchug: 940; drinks; :alcohol:

I know some good captains that will be happy to stuff you into a 10x10 box and put you on a nice ship to Port Everglades!! because the cost of those airline tickets...sheesh!! crazy; LMAO!

Charles

[Roger]

I think they are good pictures. :)