Softbox practice

[Sonny]

This is my 7 year old daughter Sadee. This afternoon I was looking through past photos and realized I don't have any recent ones of her. So I busted out the 28" softbox, 580ex Speedlite, radio popper trans/receiver, 70-200L IS USM II, and Canon MK III.

I took a little persuasion but I finally talked her into posing for a few photos.

1.



2.

[HeatherLou]

She looks just like you :) Beautiful Sadee! You did great!

[rab3rd]

They look good, the catch light in the eyes seems a little high on the eye. You key light is a little to high I think.

[PEC]

Very nice - I really like the soft even lighting.

I am just learning this stuff. Is the key light high and to your right just a tad? How high do you place it? Do you use a reflector at all?

Which 28" softbox do you use?

Thanks!

[rab3rd]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

They look good, the catch light in the eyes seems a little high on the eye. You key light is a little to high I think.

I swear, I did go to highschool and I did pass english...

[groovyone]

I have been using my 24" SB with the ring light as a fill. It does give very nice light, and it is nice not to have the umbrella ribs in the catchlights. haha

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

They look good, the catch light in the eyes seems a little high on the eye. You key light is a little to high I think.

Thanks Rob.

Originally Posted by PEC

Very nice - I really like the soft even lighting.

I am just learning this stuff. Is the key light high and to your right just a tad? How high do you place it? Do you use a reflector at all?

Which 28" softbox do you use?

Thanks!

• My main light was about 8' high and slightly to the right and about 6' away from my daughter.
• I'm not sure if I was using a reflector . My 4 year old daughter was in the room. To keep her moving around I told her to hold my Lastolite EzyBalance grey card (the white side) and point it at her sister.
• I was also trying to use another 580ex speedlite as a rim light and play with ratio lighting in the first photo but not the second photo.
• I have a Photoflex Medium (24"x32") Softbox...not a 28" as I first thought.

Originally Posted by HeatherLou

She looks just like you :) Beautiful Sadee! You did great!

Thank you! I hope she doesn't look too much like me. I ain't easy on the eyes.

[PEC]

thanks! one final question, do you think the medium would be large enough for couple portraits?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by PEC

thanks! one final question, do you think the medium would be large enough for couple portraits?

I think it would be OK. I'm going to try and shoot my twins this weekend with the same setup. I'll let you know how it works out.

[klynam]

Yeah, she posed for you...but she suuuuuure wasn't happy about it - LOL

[Tsladaritz]

I like it! I agree the catch lights look a little high.

I have been thinking on the same thing- softbox vs. those umbrella set ups. currently I have a couple of diff sz umbrellas and a softliter. But the softliter is so big for carrying on location. I would like something smaller for carrying. Just haven't decided what. something I can fit into one of my bags would be nice.

[Sonny]

OK, I have to ask. Why are catch lights such a big deal? Why does the location of the catch light in the eye matter?

Just curious.

Originally Posted by klynam

Yeah, she posed for you...but she suuuuuure wasn't happy about it - LOL

Actually was fine with it...just a little tired and a sore throat.

Originally Posted by Tsladaritz

I have been thinking on the same thing- softbox vs. those umbrella set ups. currently I have a couple of diff sz umbrellas and a softliter. But the softliter is so big for carrying on location. I would like something smaller for carrying. Just haven't decided what. something I can fit into one of my bags would be nice.

The 24" and 28" softboxes fold up into small little bags making them easy to carry around.

[JohnT]

The catch lights are going to show the location of the main light, which will vary as you know depending on the type of lighting you want to accomplish. I think, by the book, catch lights are "supposed" to be at the ten o'clock or two o'clock position, but we have creative license according to our vision. Typically, I don't overly concern myself with them.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by JohnT

The catch lights are going to show the location of the main light, which will vary as you know depending on the type of lighting you want to accomplish. I think, by the book, catch lights are "supposed" to be at the ten o'clock or two o'clock position, but we have creative license according to our vision. Typically, I don't overly concern myself with them.

Thank you John. I also do not concern myself with their location.

[Tsladaritz]

a little bit bigger catch light, like they were standing by a large window just looks nicer in mho.

and I don't worry overly about them either, but I do find it looks a bit more pleasing to me if they are at those positions.