It is the season for HS seniors and in this scene I chose to go with two different methods...My client was running late, so I had to start later in the morning then what I had planned.
Since I am being sponsored by tallyns.com, I chose to go in two different directions.
I used two RPS reflectors. One for scrim and the other silver reflector to redirect the sunlight. I love working with these reflectors.
Second, I chose to use my Bowens Gemini 400 with their Travelpak battery system with a RPS reflector system to scrim and then light the subject with the strobe. I love how I can underexpose the sky and control the harsh sunlight.
The blown yellows in the background of the first image are distracting to me...she seems a lot darker than everything else around her (I'm sure you were diffusing her, but the mismatch in brightness is jarring a bit. The second shot, on the other hand, is absolutely fantastic.
Why didn't you diffuse the strobe in the second shot? It would make for less contrast between the mismatch tanned look for her face (foundation/makeup color choice) versus her neck IMO.
I like both shots but the second one is better IMO. I think the light could have been toned down a little but it's not a big deal...at least to me. I see the color tones JC is pointing out... could be fixed in post.
One the 1st shot what caught my eye... was how the reflector being low is pushing light back up on her from the bottom... and it's causing a faint shadow on the right side of her noes pointing up towards the right eye. Would it have been possible to push the light at a different angle given the situation you were in?
jeremy_clay wrote:
Why didn't you diffuse the strobe in the second shot? It would make for less contrast between the mismatch tanned look for her face (foundation/makeup color choice) versus her neck IMO.
I could have. You bring up a good point to consider, but I don't think diffusing the light would have made that much of a difference in the view of your argument. I wanted the sunlight feel. I still would have had plenty of power to run the light through the other scrim to diffuse it or set up a large softbox to see. I had a panel diffusing the sunlight so I could have used the other one to diffuse the strobe. I also could have used a beauty dish or a soft box and tested to see what would work best. I could also use the dodge/burn tool at this point if it would have bothered the client or been noticable to them.
Those are fantastic. Maybe hair off front shoulder in one next time? Head tilt away from camera with hair behind shoulder creates a nice line from the neck on up....
Michaelparris wrote:
Those are fantastic. Maybe hair off front shoulder in one next time? Head tilt away from camera with hair behind shoulder creates a nice line from the neck on up....
This would have been nice to see done this way. Pics look good though. TFS
Michaelparris wrote:
Those are fantastic. Maybe hair off front shoulder in one next time? Head tilt away from camera with hair behind shoulder creates a nice line from the neck on up....
Another good observation and recommendation. I don't have that specific look in this series, but I have plenty of subtle differences in the session to try and find the best one. I am familiar and use that specific pose a lot of the time in my sessions.
I see what everyone is saying, but I can't believe she wasn't thrilled with them. Are they technically perfect? No. Could you have done a few other things? Sure. Bottom line is they are very nice pictures that make her look wonderful. I say good job.
JT - these are nice. The only problem with the first one is she should be brighter relative to the background. Your diffusion - while providing a welcome softening of the light - leaves her underexposed relative to an undiffused background. The last photo you posted addresses this problem and looks great.
BigIronCruiser wrote:
These are great. Maybe clone out that narrow strap that goes between the fabric under her right armpit, especially on the 1st image.
..although, part of the actual dress, I had already considered doing this for a final presentation. Whoever designed the dress was probably not a photographer.
Nice capture.