Lately, I've been really busy with other stuff but I managed to edit two shots from the last studio session of 2012. Meet Soile This was her first time in front of the camera and my first time experimenting black on black portraits.
#1
Old version. Scroll down for the updated one.
#2
Old version. Scroll down for the updated one.
Comments are appreciated
Edit
New photos can be found if you scroll down to p.1 #11
I'm not on a calibrated monitor right now, but esp on the 2nd pic, her black dress looks very muted. I'm not sure that I see any true black in that picture. I really like the pose on the second shot and I'm pretty confident you can give this a little more pop and it will look better than it does.
In the first image you could use some fill light from underneath, a simple bounce card would do the trick--you don't want to eliminate the shadows, just tame them a bit.
In the second image your rim light might be too far forward, and could stand to be placed a bit higher.
In both images your subjects pupils are quite large, add some more ambient light to your studio setting to eliminate this issue. Setting your modeling lamps to full power will sometimes do it.
I am using a calibrated monitor and the exposure and use of light looks good in image 2.
In general, I think you did a good job on making these portraits, as they look as good or better than many "studio" photos I see posted here.
I like the expressions shown in both images. Good job on that.
I like the way the way the garment is shown in image 2 (good exposure and lighting).
The garment does not show as much or as well in image 1. IF you are concerned about how your exposure is working (or use of light) I think that image is weaker in several respects.
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There are some things I think could be done better but these are sometimes subtle things and can be a matter of taste. I also have little time today to type so this is the kind of thing better covered in a phone or skype call where the subtleties can be discussed. But, I will point you in a direction.
First, notice the color of her hair in both pics. Notice the difference?
Second notice the posed arm in image 2. Notice how large that arm appears in the image? Squint and see what parts of the image catch your eye or dominate the image.
I dont care for the crop on number 1......Like the lighting. As far as the hair and arm being out of whack, ridiculous....Steady, show us some examples.
Two nice shots and great comments so far. I agree, except for the last comment, which is opposite the others.
I'll just say the comments are "fine tuning". You've got some good work here and it could be even better.
In #1, I'd like to see some separation between the top of the dress straps and the background. I don't think having the black dress blend into the background is best.
friscoron, you are right about the lack of pitch black in the 2nd picture. I intentionally raised the deepest black to a dark grayish level.
Dneufarth, we tried having a bounce card as a fill below but it made her face look wider. That's why I decided to pick this version without the fill. The rim light should be positioned higher as you suggested, but unfortunately the height of the small studio I have at my disposal is not sufficient for that. You are also right about her pupils. This is a common problem I have when working in that studio. Also thanks for the compliments
Steady Hand, thanks for the encouraging compliments I also like how the garment turned out since I generally tend to have a lot of problems with dark matte clothing. I think the difference in hair is just caused by different light modifier/direction. You are right about the arm. It is relatively big and bright part of the image so maybe I could bring the brightness down a bit in pp.
gheller, yea the tint in the 1st image might be a bit more purple than the 2nd one. The original idea was to use more rim lights to separate her from the background but unfortunately I had some problems with some of the lights and we couldn't do that.
Michaelparris, thanks for the comment.
Jim Rickards, thanks for the compliments On my calibrated monitor there is a small separation also in the 1st image but I agree with you that it's not visible enough and I could make it more pronounced.
Thanks for the comments everyone! Good stuff
Edit
New, slightly update versions
#1 with white balance fix Smile by VilleK_, on Flickr
#2 with less washed out blacks Soile by VilleK_, on Flickr
This was her first time in front of the camera and my first time experimenting black on black portraits.
