Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Abel · **My first Portrait -** 03-01-2005, 09:26 PM

My Studio
March 1, 2005

Canon 20D :: Canon EF 50mm f1.4 :: 1/125 s :: F 2.2 :: 50mm :: ISO 200 :: Flash Fired

This is my first real people photo. I've been avoiding people portraits on purpose since I feel it's my weakest point in photography. It's much easier
to practice on inanimate objects rather than on real live people. Anyways Lisa was brave enough to let me experiment a little tonight with this portrait of her. I actually learned quite a bit in the short 20 minute shoot and now I don't feel as intimidated by taking people portraits. I know I have a ton left to learn but at least I was brave enough to give it a try tonight.

I forget where I heard that black velvet makes for a nice background since the fabric itself does not reflect light. This past weekend Lisa and I wandered into a fabric store wanting to purchase a few yards of this material strictly for portraits etc. It ended up being about $13 a yard but I think it was very worth it. In this photo I simply have the fabric hanging from a closet door while Lisa is standing about a foot away from it. It's pretty cool to see that the velvet came out nice and dark in photo without any retouching at all.

any comments are welcomed... lemme know how i can improve...

Bill Huber · 03-01-2005, 10:37 PM

If that is your first, damn, you are going to be having some really awesome shots coming.....

I like it very much...

There is only one little think that I would have changed.
Take some of the hair off her neck, it makes it look like she had a very little neck. Or cover it up altogether.

But don't lesson to me.......

Elsaspet · 03-02-2005, 09:49 AM

Man Able, that's beautiful.

lscottpht · 03-02-2005, 09:56 AM

LOVE the composition. Great shot. Can't believe it's your first "people" shot!

Clint_Smith · 03-02-2005, 10:15 AM

I like the compostion...think a rim light would add nice effect

Steelsun · 03-02-2005, 10:59 AM

Nice, I like.

LoungeLizard · **Nicely done -** 03-02-2005, 03:53 PM

I guess now you'll actually stop by one of the model shoots! LOL.

What was the light setup?

Abel · 03-02-2005, 03:57 PM

thanks a ton guys... lighting wise it was strictly a 550ex with a small Lumniquest softbox. i had it off camera and bounce up towards the ceiling...

i had to crank down the output to something like 1/16 or so...

Craig Wilkins · 03-03-2005, 03:42 PM

Well Done Abel Humans are my weak point as well *lol* nice shot it gives me hope.

xseption · 11-04-2005, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint_Smith

I like the compostion...think a rim light would add nice effect

What is a "rim light?"

thanks!

edd

Shane · 11-04-2005, 03:07 PM

THE RIM LIGHT
The rim light is placed behind the objects being illuminated and is angled so that the light glances off the surface of the object at the narrowest angle. The intensity of this light is often quite high, often brighter than the key. Due to its intensity and placement it creates a line of bright light around the object and in doing so lifts the object away from the background. The rim light is principally used to ensure that a dark object does not blend in with a dark background.

http://www.andrew-whitehurst.net/3point.html

xseption · 11-04-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble

THE RIM LIGHT
The rim light is placed behind the objects being illuminated and is angled so that the light glances off the surface of the object at the narrowest angle. The intensity of this light is often quite high, often brighter than the key. Due to its intensity and placement it creates a line of bright light around the object and in doing so lifts the object away from the background. The rim light is principally used to ensure that a dark object does not blend in with a dark background.

http://www.andrew-whitehurst.net/3point.html

That article has opened up a whole new vista of oppurtunities for me ... THANKS!

edd

Ross · 11-04-2005, 06:26 PM

Great lighting and composition, Abel. As you know i just got my 580EX and off camera shoe cord -- I am REALLY excited to start producing some shots. Your black velvet looks pro and so does the composition and everything else. Amazed it is just with one flash. Great job.

-Ross

jheiliger · 11-04-2005, 10:06 PM

In a Studio environment, why did you shoot at 200iso? Why f2.2?

Joe

Stephen · 11-04-2005, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abel

thanks a ton guys... lighting wise it was strictly a 550ex with a small Lumniquest softbox. i had it off camera and bounce up towards the ceiling...

i had to crank down the output to something like 1/16 or so...

Just curious, why did you use a softbox if you were going to bounce it off the ceiling?

Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

My first Portrait