1st Off Camera Flash Session

[lkbuchanan]

Hi there!

This was my 1st shoot using off camera flash in a studio. It was a 60th anniversary of this couple. I like the black & white version much better but have never really worked with b&w or off camera flash. Not sure what to do with/ how to edit the color pics either. Also I am a new to photographing people and post processing them. Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

[Blade Canyon]

That's a nice portrait. The b&w looks better than the color pic. My only tiny criticism would be that the light is too "hard", so the shadow was too harsh between the couple's faces and on the husband's shirt. A reflector on the opposite side of the couple from the light would have filled that in. Also, light is softer if the light source is closer to the subject, or a different kind of diffuser in front of the flash, or even using the on-camera pop up flash for a little bit of fill. Those are just quick impressions. The couple should be very happy with this 60th anniversary portrait.

The b&w makes some of the skin spots stand out more, so I might reduce those in Photoshop.

 

[lkbuchanan]

That's a nice portrait. The b&w looks better than the color pic. My only tiny criticism would be that the light is too "hard", so the shadow was too harsh between the couple's faces and on the husband's shirt. A reflector on the opposite side of the couple from the light would have filled that in. Also, light is softer if the light source is closer to the subject, or a different kind of diffuser in front of the flash, or even using the on-camera pop up flash for a little bit of fill. Those are just quick impressions. The couple should be very happy with this 60th anniversary portrait.

The b&w makes some of the skin spots stand out more, so I might reduce those in Photoshop.

Thank you very much for your input!! I will attempt lighten up the spots as well as try to correct some of the harsh shadows.

 

[WayneF]

Seems a great picture and pose, except the lighting could be improved. The B&W works because the lighting is harsh (so contrasty, black shadows). B&W loves contrast (it has nothing else), but color not so much, too much contrast is detrimental. Photo purists tend to like B&W for the contrast (Ansel Adams type), but subjects usually prefer color.

Fill from either the front (weak flash on or behind camera) or a reflector close on the opposite side would improve it, to fill and lighten the shadows to be acceptable level (natural looking). Portrait lighting basics are pretty much all about the lighting ratio, between main light and weaker frontal fill. The high and wide main light creates the desirable shadows, and then the weak frontal fill lightens them to be acceptable, perceptible, but just so, natural. Frontal fill has the advantage of lightening what the camera sees, without making additional shadows. Fill Not too strong, we don't want flat light (no shadows to show shapes, uninteresting), but mild tonal gradients created by weaker fill is what it's all about.


Here is a copy of the color with ACR Blacks and Shadows advanced all the way up (to 100), to simulate filling in the harsh shadows more. I would suggest it looks more natural and pleasing. There is still plenty of shadow shading left, to show 3D shape. The mild gradient shading is very desirable, the black shadows not so much, except maybe artistic purposes.

I would offer 45 degree Portrait Lighting Setup as a first look at what the various lights do, main, fill, background, hair light...

 

[lkbuchanan]

Seems a great picture and pose, except the lighting could be improved. The B&W works because the lighting is harsh (so contrasty, black shadows). B&W loves contrast (it has nothing else), but color not so much, too much contrast is detrimental. Photo purists tend to like B&W for the contrast (Ansel Adams type), but subjects usually prefer color.

Fill from either the front (weak flash on or behind camera) or a reflector on opposite side would improve it, to fill and lighten the shadows to be acceptable level (natural looking). Portrait lighting basics are pretty much all about the lighting ratio, between main light and weaker frontal fill. The high and wide main light creates the desirable shadows, and then the weak frontal fill lightens them to be acceptable, perceptible, but just so. Frontal fill has the advantage of lightening what the camera sees, without making additional shadows. We don't want flat light (no shadows to show shapes, uninteresting), but mild tonal gradients created by weaker fill is what it's all about.

Thank you Wayne for the information!! I am completely new to the whole flash/off camera flash and studio lighting techniques. Until recently I have been a 100% natural light shooter but I want to expand my capabilities and knowledge!