Paul - Strobist Style Harsh Light

[Alpha_7]

Well I've been after a cheap second flash for a long time now, finally scored a sweet deal on a SB-28, and decided Paul could be my test subject, for the most part Paul played the Wii while I fiddle with the new unit, but for this shot I got him to pose, and while super rough, I like the affect and am considering refining it probably with two lights and some modifiers to further improve on the idea.



D200, ISO 200, 50mm 1.4 @ 4.5, 1/60s
Bare Flash to camera right, at head height at 1/64 fulled zoomed and aimed horizonatally at the wall and Paul.

[phillipb]

I like this Craig, specially the use of the shadow as a composition tool. Well done.

[iluxa]

Well done. I like it. However I would suggest to remove thin black line above the head and probably would give just a little bit more space at left.

[olrac]

It was funny,

I was looking at another forum (redbubble) and noticed your avitar in the conversation you mention getting a flash off someone. BTW I am not sure about this style though the shadow bothers me.

[Bindii]

Thats nifty Craig.. almost comical..I like it!

[Alpha_7]

It was funny,

I was looking at another forum (redbubble) and noticed your avitar in the conversation you mention getting a flash off someone. BTW I am not sure about this style though the shadow bothers me.

You've found me source one of the guys there gave me a great deal, $80 for the flash including the 13 bucks of postage, and I'm one happy camper.

And this sort of lighting and the shadow aren't going to be everyones cup of tea, just fun trying new stuff out with my new toy.

[jamesw]

i'm a fan of this shot, good work.

[Paul]

What can I say.. the subject is great!
I like the effect of the rough harsh light Craig, sometimes your meant to break the rules..

[Kyle]

Awesome shot of a dodgy bugger there Alpha!! Love it

[daniel_r]

Craig, this is an excellent shot exploring composition, empty space and shadow.

My bullet-point critique
- leave the lighting set up as it is!
- clone out the black line at the top of Paul's head, which will help bring out that clean gradient in the background. It will also prevent the left background from being orphaned from the right.
- mild dodging in the highlights with a low exposure value (30%?) and a large brush (80-90px for current size) to lighten up the shadow area of the face and shirt. Then do a second pass dodge at 20% in the midtones.

(I've saved a quick 'dodgy' job jpeg- let me know if you want it to see what I mean)

[Alpha_7]

Happy to see your version Daniel feel free to post it up.

[Geoff]

Craig - I like it...lots about it. U can't help that it's Paul but anyway...

It's mysterious, creative and fun.

Keep experimenting!

[daniel_r]

The result isn't anything too brutal, just subtle edit on the original.

[marcotrov]

Love the lighting effect and the concept Alpha. The interplay between the subject and his shadow works well as Bindii and others have mentioned. I'm left wondering if you took any shots with Paul more perpendicular to the wall so that a similar effect and framing but less distortion of his shadow? I think this would work even better. I dare say however you were after the quirky look
cheers
marco

[Alpha_7]

Marco - we were mainly just screwing around so there was very few posed shots most of them Paul is punching away on the Wii controlers and I'm just playing with light.

[Reschsmooth]

Craig, I like what you have done here. Comp and exposure are all spot on. Well done.