First time using studio lights photo.

[gerfoto]

Hello,
I would like to have your thoughts on this photo i took by using my own studio lights. It was my first time using studio lights on my own. I used the Promaster P180 kit. By no means i am experienced with studio lights. I did not use a light meter. Do not have one yet.

Thanks for you constructive criticism, G

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Hello,
I would like to have your thoughts on this photo i took by using my own studio lights. It was my first time using studio lights on my own. I used the Promaster P180 kit. By no means i am experienced with studio lights. I did not use a light meter. Do not have one yet.

Thanks for you constructive criticism, G

If the blown-out highlights and blue color-cast are not artistic decisions on your part, I'd suggest you correct them.

My "Corrected" version still needs work but you get the idea. It's a more a proof-of-concept sort of thing.
.....

Original:​

.....
.....
.....

"Corrected"​

.....


.....

 

[gerfoto]

Agree. I did add the blueish filter so I can blow out some of the wrinkles on the backdrop and make it look like a high key portrait ? Thoughts ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RocketCowboy]

The quick edit that Horoscope Fish did has more pleasing skin tones. I get blowing out the background to hide wrinkles, but you may want to use a different set of lights for the background so that you can keep correct exposure on your subject.

 

[Fred Kingston_RIP]

I think I would have the model stand further away from the backdrop, open that 50mm up all the way, and dial down the light a bit to let that len's natural bokeh eliminate the backdrop's wrinkles...

 

[gerfoto]

I think I would have the model stand further away from the backdrop, open that 50mm up all the way, and dial down the light a bit to let that len's natural bokeh eliminate the backdrop's wrinkles...

Hmm, yeah you got it, the room I was shooting was kind of tight so was not able to ask the subject to move too much forward...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Agree. I did add the blueish filter so I can blow out some of the wrinkles on the backdrop and make it look like a high key portrait ? Thoughts ?

I guess it depends on what sort of look you're going for. In my opinion, right now, the shot just looks like the White Balance is way off. Just my opinion, but you did ask for my thought's.

There are several ways the backdrop wrinkles could have been better eliminated (steam your backdrop prior to shooting, get more separation between the model and the backdrop, use a shallower depth of field, judicious use of the Healing Brush, et al). Speaking for myself, I tend to prefer high-key portraiture done in mono (B&W) or duo-tone so if this were my shot and I wanted a blue tint I'd color-grade it or use a Cyanotype filter depending on how intense a look I was after. To get the high-key look without the blowout in this particular shot, I'd play with the De-haze slider, pull back on the Clarity slider, or both, and see where that got me.

 

[gerfoto]

I guess it depends on what sort of look you're going for. In my opinion, right now, the shot just looks like the White Balance is way off. Just my opinion, but you did ask for my thought's.

There are several ways the backdrop wrinkles could have been better eliminated (steam your backdrop prior to shooting, get more separation between the model and the backdrop, use a shallower depth of field, judicious use of the Healing Brush, et al). Speaking for myself, I tend to prefer high-key portraiture done in mono (B&W) or duo-tone so if this were my shot and I wanted a blue tint I'd color-grade it or use a Cyanotype filter depending on how intense a look I was after. To get the high-key look without the blowout in this particular shot, I'd play with the De-haze slider, pull back on the Clarity slider, or both, and see where that got me.

Hmm, good advice. [MENTION=13090]Horoscope Fish[/MENTION]. I will look into the De-Haze slider and Clarity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gregt]

I'm ok with the high key, blown out highlights. However, I would nike to see the blue cast removed. Have you tried this as a mono? I will say, for your first go at studio lights this is a great starting place.

 

[editorial_use_only]

Yes you are at least a stop over.

I would not use exposure to try and smooth out backdrop wrinkles. That's a task for basic Photoshop. If you don't have or can't afford Photoshop, try GIMP. All of those things have their own learning curve too.

I have a light meter, and haven't used it in 10 years I bet. Usually I can judge from the camera LCD and if it's not exactly right I can get close enough. Your camera may show you blown highlights. Zoom in.

Also you might want to look into tethering. For you that's what I would suggest. If the computer is in a different room, that's not a great setup but just get yourself the right cable. If you can tether for studio stuff that is the way to go.

 

[Cligerson]

Quite a good job! The result is excellent after editing. Are you a photographer, or is it just a hobby? I find it challenging to shoot in the studio and adjust the light properly. I also often have too much light or, conversely, too dark photos. So I get the best pictures with natural light and in beautiful places, like from aperfectspace. Maybe I haven't had much practice in the studio yet, and my camera is an old Nikon. Don't know. Do you think that a photographer needs to be able to shoot both in the studio and in ordinary places? I like to experiment in the genre of fashion photography. Thank you!
​

​

 

[Bikerbrent_RIP]

Quite a good job! ​

You do realize this posting is from 2018!!

 

[gerfoto]

You do realize this posting is from 2018!!

I was wondering …..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LClark007]

Photos with studio lights are a good experience for every photographer. If you went to a professional photography school, you should have been taught how to adjust the lighting in studios. However, if you have reached a high level of skills without professional courses, you should know how the light changes. It's not as difficult as you think. You just need to think over the working sides of your model/models and the location of the props relative to the lamps. In my first studio, I installed flagpole lanterns as fixtures. It's funny, but it's true. I even ordered them on Amazon [url]https://www.amazon.com/Flagpole-Energy-Battery-Illumunation-Vont/dp/B00YBDA7DC[/URL]/