Trial Studio Lighting

[Oz_Beachside]

The objective of this set, was to make use of a single key light, reflector for fill, and a backlight to provide graduations across a white paper backdrop. My thoughts, I would have liked to have had the backlight directly behind subject, centred, lighting upward, but I think in from the side provides an abstract perspective, and good seperation (you can just see the head at knee height in the set up shot).

I still think my WB improvements stand (as grey card was misplaced (found 10 mins after shoot)). First two softbox was overhead, and third it was camera left, fourth, camera right (I like camera right best, if the backlight is rear, and camera left (provided better balance, what do you think?)).

AUssie post and their "Picnic Holiday" meant my radio triggers from B+H are still in transit !!! So I was restricted to shorter focal lengths, using 5m cord... (yes, could have used onboard to fire heads, but is not as reliable as cord). Cant wait for radio triggers in on Tuesday!!!!

However, interested to get feedback on this selection. Find the fisheye very handy to record the lighting setup, here it is (for most of these shots).

[Oz_Beachside]

looking for comments, to improve, good, bad, ugly...?

I wanted to keep the lighting simple on these, how are they for a beginner like me?

[DanielA]

I'm surprised no one has commented on this. Bad time of year perhaps...

I am no expert and I have never done a lighting setup like this, but I know what I like.

Your second shot looks a little dark. The Adidas is nicely lit, but darkens further down (I'm not sure if you were going for that effect). Her face is a bit dark on her left.

I really like the arrangement of number 3. But I perhaps it is a little dark overall, or the backlight should have been less to not blow out.

The fourth looks nice, but the model looks uncomfortable with her neck like that. Nothing to do with lighting.

Number five is the pick of the crop. Very nice.
I'm not sure I would change anything. If I was to suggest something it would only be to have the backlight centred behind her, instead of behind her arm.

Great setup and great shots.

Daniel

[Oz_Beachside]

Your second shot looks a little dark. The Adidas is nicely lit, but darkens further down (I'm not sure if you were going for that effect). Her face is a bit dark on her left.

Thanks, and I agree, the lighting on this one was a softbox forward/overhead (butterfly style), so was not bright enough at hip height.
After those shots, we decided to move the light to be forward of model, rather than overhead, but learning different lighting effects, and thats what we were doing it for.

I'm not sure I would change anything. If I was to suggest something it would only be to have the backlight centred behind her, instead of behind her arm.

Agree, I have just worked out a way to set up the backlight low enough to work, so next time should be ok.

Thanks for you feedback, I appreciate it

[Alex]

Hi Bruce,

They all seem a little too dark on my monitor. Apart from that I think you also need to watch your white balance as the last two seem to be on the warm side. Did you shoot them RAW? If so then you can adjust exposure and white balance a bit.

Very nice attempts and keep them coming.

Alex

[xorl]

I like your workspace. I wish I had a big room with a high ceiling .

I find the lighting on the last shot more interesting than the rest. However the background hotspot and posterisation is distracting too my eye. I'd prefer if it was a smooth subtle gradient.

[Oz_Beachside]

I like your workspace. I wish I had a big room with a high ceiling .

I find the lighting on the last shot more interesting than the rest. However the background hotspot and posterisation is distracting too my eye. I'd prefer if it was a smooth subtle gradient.

The ceiling height is amplified by the 10.5mm fisheye

THanks, I like the lighting on the last the best too.

As for the backlight, I was using a lightstand that was about 18 inches high, i was playing with it the day after and worked out a way to use it at 2 inches high, so should be able to keep the light nice and low, bump the power down a bit, and shoot at a stop wider. Then the subject should be exposed a little nicer, and the backdrop graduations softer and more gradual (removing the hotspot).

Hope to have another shoot this week, so see how we go.