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Through a lot of trial and error and playing around I think I'm starting to get some semi decent results with my temporary dual flash setup. Again I wanted to demonstrate his current head shot (another Aircondition closet era shot) vs two of the few he's considering.

The setup in for the rear flash didn't change between the two new shots, both had the SB-800 at 1/4 power close behind the subject, with the LS PJ+ Dome to provide a slightly diffused rim light.

The front flash was through a white brollie and at 1/8 or 1/4 power I tweaked as I went depending on the exact position again it was a metre to 2 metres from the subject and moved around on a arc with the centre being the subject. (if that makes sense.

Please give me plenty of feedback as I want to get as much out of having the extra kit and semi willing subjects as I can, the more I learn now the better as I'll be back to a single Sb-800 soon. What else am I missing that could make this better ?


#1 EXIF unavailable (sorry) D70


#2 D200, 1/250s, ISO 160, f5


#3 D200, 1/250s, ISO 160, f5

Craig, you have come a long way in the few days you have had the lights. The third is best as the balance between rim and main light is much better, and you have avoided the glowing ear distraction. Well done.

I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more contrast in the main lighting, although I am not sure if this would add too many unwanted shadows.

P

#3 is much better than #2, but mainly just because his ear isn't glowing! BTW, #1 looks like a black background has been digitally inserted...

Thanks Patrick, I must confess the original #3 suffered very badly from glowing alien ear syndrome but after much mucking around I've made it look semi human now.. still not happy but I was pushing my PP skills to save it. Sadly the ears where something I was checking on the cameras LCD (lesson learnt).

I thought I'd add one more the the mix (since I can post 4).

Again please give me feedback as I want to make the most out of having the lights at my disposal.

#4 D200, ISO 160, 1/250", F5

Craig,

Look at #3 .... look at how the rim lighting is extending down his shoulder, providing a greater level of separation between the subject and background. This (IMHO) is probably what you should be looking to acheive.

Along with the greater subtlety of the effect in #4.

Try for a little less power (or greater flash-to-subject distance) on the rear flash, and aim more towards both shoulders and his back. If you can gain a greater spread with diffusion, so much the better.

is the rear flash positioned directly behind the subject, or off to one side?

Thanks Gary your feedback was very helpful, and I see what you mean its all a balancing and next time I get someone posing for me I'll keep your advice in mind.

In #3 did you photoshop the glowing ear? I see a dark area extending below and around the ear that looks like the masking is too large for the ear.....

I know nothing about portraits but 2 & 3 are excellent, lighting and clarity look very good

stetner wrote:In #3 did you photoshop the glowing ear? I see a dark area extending below and around the ear that looks like the masking is too large for the ear.....

Yes sloppy PP work on my side of things, I noticed when I posted but haven't fixed it yet.