Studio Lighting problems

[Robin Binder]

Ok - first I'm not a professional photographer and this is one of my first shots at studio lighting, I have a million questions from setting up stands to intensity to shadows and the list goes on. I'm open for critquing of my light problems. (the photos are not edited)
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[srwatters]

Very interesting. #1 looks to have an extreme contrast problem with lost detail in both the highlights and shadows. #2 & #3 appear to be cross lit with the fill and key being close to equal power causing confusing shadows conflicting with the catchlights. #4 is really to small to comment on.

You've asked a bunch of questions. If you start with one image and ask specific questions I'll be happy to answer. Personally I'd start out with just one light so you can see the shadows your light creates. Once you see that then move a reflector in to fill in those shadows until you get the ratio and depth that you want. More complicated light setups can be created, but for 90% of what I shoot, I use a single strobe plus a reflector.

[Robin Binder]

ok, here's the questions in specific to the photos. I had 2 strobes and one umbrella but experimented with different effects.
1. I had someone tell me I need rim light with the first but I see now I angled her face wrong and should have made sure the chin was angled more to the light - this was done with one strobe only.
2. I now see the shadow of the hair on her face and the shadow on her neck - this was a big problem. I believe the strobes were set differently at this point. one at 1/8 and the other at 1/4. - i'm thinking that I shouldn't use the dark background behind someone with dark hair.
3. the shadows are everywhere and it didn't help the shirt was an oversized shirt on the model. I have shadows at her shirt, neck and nose - I'm just fustrated with the out come of the photos.
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ok here is a bigger shot of number four. I did work hard to get rid of the shadows, I was told I should have tryied to put a reflector under the model to take out the umbrella she's holding and the shadow of her chin. Out of all of them, this is my favorite without the problems.

Please I would love any feedback to solutions - I will test another model again this week.

[srwatters]

Might I ask why you want to get rid of all the shadows? I was recently given the advice to look at magazine ads carefully. There are generally plenty of shadows, the difference is that they look like they are supposed to be there. They come from a single light source. They may have softer edges because the light source is large and fairly close to the subject(s).

The basic rule is the larger and closer the light source, the softer the light will be. Add to that the directionality of the light as well (focused vs. diffused) and you can produce images with very soft shadows that enhance the three dimensional look of the subject in a two dimensional image.

Here's an example from my portfolio that was shot with a single strobe:



Now I have to admit that the single strobe was behind a seven foot octobox which was only about four feet away from Lindsey. Same image, but a closer crop to see the shadows better:



Look closely at her arms and face. See how the soft shadows create a three dimensional look. My suggestion is to start with a single light at 45 degrees off camera axis. Move it closer and further then change the angle watching the nose shadow to produce the style of lighting you are after. It take practice and patience to be able to see the shadows before you make an image but you'll get there.

Good luck and have fun!!!

[srwatters]

Oops. I lied. That wasn't the giant seven foot box. I went back and checked my notes and it was the 48" octobox. So I guess you can do it with a smaller light.

[Robin Binder]

i see your point with the shadows, the model loved the shadows and my biggest fear is the shadows. go figure. I think next time I might try a barn door with a gel behind the model to give off a different light behind the model. i'm not sure the effect but it should be interesting. thanks again for the feed back.

[a2rob]

[qu

She Looks Like Heather.....


http://a2rob.net/v-web/gallery/heather













ote=RmgB]Ok - first I'm not a professional photographer and this is one of my first shots at studio lighting, I have a million questions from setting up stands to intensity to shadows and the list goes on. I'm open for critquing of my light problems. (the photos are not edited)
1.

2.

3.

4.
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[jchooper12]

How far back was the octabox from the model in the shots above? Also, were you pointing the softbox down at the model or was the models face lined up with the center of the light?