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<blockquote data-quote="WayneF" data-source="post: 560125" data-attributes="member: 12496">Seems a great picture and pose, except the lighting could be improved.&nbsp;&nbsp; The B&amp;W works because the lighting is harsh (so contrasty, black shadows).&nbsp; B&amp;W loves contrast (it has nothing else), but color not so much, too much contrast is detrimental.&nbsp; Photo purists tend to like B&amp;W for the contrast (Ansel Adams type), but subjects usually prefer color.&nbsp;&nbsp; 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).&nbsp; Portrait lighting basics are pretty much all about the lighting ratio, between main light and weaker frontal fill.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;&nbsp; Frontal fill has the advantage of lightening what the camera sees, without making additional shadows.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; I would suggest it looks more natural and pleasing.&nbsp; There is still plenty of shadow shading left, to show 3D shape.&nbsp; The mild gradient shading is very desirable, the black shadows not so much, except maybe artistic purposes.<img src="http://www.scantips.com/g2/lkb_7530b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />I would offer <a href="http://www.scantips.com/lights/setup/" target="_blank">45 degree Portrait Lighting Setup</a>&nbsp; as a first look at what the various lights do, main, fill, background, hair light...</blockquote>

[QUOTE="WayneF, post: 560125, member: 12496"] 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. [IMG]http://www.scantips.com/g2/lkb_7530b.jpg[/IMG] I would offer [URL="http://www.scantips.com/lights/setup/"]45 degree Portrait Lighting Setup[/URL] as a first look at what the various lights do, main, fill, background, hair light... [/QUOTE]

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