p.2 #2 · Managed to get my daughter to pose in the new studio.
I like that she is so willing and able to model for you. Such a natural giving you a variety of looks. The second black and white, to me, seems a little flat. It looks like you darkened the background when, in this case, it might have been better to add some more brightness to the shot. Not being a professional portrait photographer, I only give you my impressions so I might not mind things like the arms that others seemed to notice. Her face is the subject for me and the rest is sort of a frame for that. Again, in the last, her face is a wonderful subject for the photo but the rest of the image takes away a little bit for me as the brightly lit bare skin leads right out of the frame (didn't have the other's concern). I don't think you indicated her age but it might be nice to shoot her engaged in what she likes to do to give more of a youthful perspective.
p.2 #3 · Managed to get my daughter to pose in the new studio.
I love all the images but color really has to win out. She has beautiful skin, eye and hair color, and wonderful freckles and only color can show that off to it's max. You have a beautiful daughter, she's going to grow into a real heart breaker. Get ready Dad.
p.2 #6 · Managed to get my daughter to pose in the new studio.
Last image. This one has had more Photoshop work done. My wife wants some shots done with her daughter this weekend so I may have more to post if they are good enough.
p.2 #8 · Managed to get my daughter to pose in the new studio.
markdennis wrote:
Thanks dmacmillan. Very helpful comments.Do you have any suggestions as to good books that are worth getting explaining studio lighting setups? I'm new to this game so could do with a good point of reference. Cheers.
I really don't have a reference book to recommend. The photo school I attended (back in the dark ages) taught basic patterns, then left us on our own to develop our lighting methodology. Either read internet articles or buy a book with good feedback from Amazon.
Use either as a jumping off point and then experiment. Start collecting tear sheets from magazines or the web of examples that you think exhibit good lighting, then try to replicate the lighting pattern in the studio.
You're doing good. You've already used loop/short light, split light and butterfly light. Your key/fill ratios look good. I see you are already playing with a kicker. Just refine what you've started.
You mentioned post processing on the last image you posted. I think you need to dial down the whitening/sharpening of her eyes and mouth. The rest of her face is softer, then blam! the eyes and mouth jump out at you. I also suggest a teeny bit less head tilt. Lastly, I think f2.8 on a tight head shot with a 200mm lens doesn't have quite enough DOF. The tip of her nose is just a little too much out of focus. Try f5.6. You are shooting on a plain background so you don't have to use aperture to control it.
p.2 #9 · Managed to get my daughter to pose in the new studio.
dmacmillan wrote:
I really don't have a reference book to recommend. The photo school I attended (back in the dark ages) taught basic patterns, then left us on our own to develop our lighting methodology. Either read internet articles or buy a book with good feedback from Amazon.
Use either as a jumping off point and then experiment. Start collecting tear sheets from magazines or the web of examples that you think exhibit good lighting, then try to replicate the lighting pattern in the studio.
You're doing good. You've already used loop/short light, split light and butterfly light. Your key/fill ratios look good. I see you are already playing with a kicker. Just refine what you've started.
You mentioned post processing on the last image you posted. I think you need to dial down the whitening/sharpening of her eyes and mouth. The rest of her face is softer, then blam! the eyes and mouth jump out at you. I also suggest a teeny bit less head tilt. Lastly, I think f2.8 on a tight head shot with a 200mm lens doesn't have quite enough DOF. The tip of her nose is just a little too much out of focus. Try f5.6. You are shooting on a plain background so you don't have to use aperture to control it.
