Samantha portrait- reworks added

Mitchell · Jul 10, 2008

Samantha cooperated for about 5 minutes this evening. I wanted to play with my CLS.

Any comments on these?

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Not real happy with the shadow under her chin on this one. Not sure what I could have done differently.

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Phil · Jul 10, 2008

They are different then having a background but i like them.

BarryD3 · Jul 10, 2008

Mitch,

Did you use a pair of light source? It rather looks like you did. I really enjoy the CLS, for which I may always being in the learning stage. :smile: If I have your lighting figured out, the side source looks too strong and maybe a bit high. Also, did you use a diffuser? Samantha is a great little model.

I am really interested in how you had your lighting set up. I'm considering a 3rd SB-800 for some applications.

Regards,

KayB · Jul 10, 2008

OK, so I'm lame. What is CLS?

nuccifamily · Jul 10, 2008

KayB said:
OK, so I'm lame. What is CLS?

Nikon's Creative Lighting System.

bokehmanedof · Jul 10, 2008

Hi Mitchell
shes such a cutie!
I agree with you, left side seems bit overexposed, you could really see it in her hair, maybe try softening the light a little

KayB · Jul 10, 2008

nuccifamily said:
Nikon's Creative Lighting System.

Oh yeah, I forgot they call it that! Thanks!

fyreflie24 · Jul 10, 2008

Mitch: it took me a while to get the balance of light/exposure just right but you're close.. watch that red channel on the face/histogram... depending on now much spill you're getting from your bg, you probably need very little up front... gives a really nice soft quality too that way (but you'll still get modeling/shadows).

Separate her from the bg more if you can...

Great start! she's such a cute kid

Phillip Ino · Jul 10, 2008

Nice images, Mitch! What was your setup like?

Seneca · Jul 10, 2008

So darling! Yes they are a little hot on my monitor. I am having lighting difficulties too. Being on location photographer I am trying to learn the studio lighting concept now.

Sam is growing so quickly!

Mitchell · Jul 10, 2008

BarryD3 said:
Mitch,

Did you use a pair of light source? It rather looks like you did. I really enjoy the CLS, for which I may always being in the learning stage. :smile: If I have your lighting figured out, the side source looks too strong and maybe a bit high. Also, did you use a diffuser? Samantha is a great little model.

I am really interested in how you had your lighting set up. I'm considering a 3rd SB-800 for some applications.

Regards,

Phillip Ino said:
Nice images, Mitch! What was your setup like?

These were done with three SB-800s. Two were aimed at the backdrop +2 EV and the third was in an umbrella on my left. I made the mistake of not using a softbox on my umbrella. I think this would have helped me a lot. The was a reflector on my right.

Interesting to me that some feel the light was too high and some feel it was placed too low! I'm not happy with the shadow beneath her chin. My reflector was probably at a bad angle.

Like I said, I set all this up and she granted me a few moments of her time. I took a total of 10 shots before she was done.

Mitchell · Jul 10, 2008

nuccifamily said:
Hey Mitch - They both seem a little hot to me. I think the first one is the best of the two, but still too bright. She's still a cutie!

bokehmanedof said:
Hi Mitchell
shes such a cutie!
I agree with you, left side seems bit overexposed, you could really see it in her hair, maybe try softening the light a little

greyflash said:
Well Samantha is a cutey as always. Your light to her right front is too bright and perhaps a little low. Love her cute expression in #1.

I agree these do look a little too hot. I will have to play around with the exposure when I get home. I shot in RAW so I should have some lattitude.

Mitchell · Jul 10, 2008

Seneca said:
So darling! Yes they are a little hot on my monitor. I am having lighting difficulties too. Being on location photographer I am trying to learn the studio lighting concept now.

Sam is growing so quickly!

I am eagerly watching your foray into studio lighting. I'm much more comfortable in my garage!

Sam is a big girl. She reminds me of this fact several times a day!:Love:

Phillip Ino · Jul 10, 2008

Mitchell said:
These were done with three SB-800s. Two were aimed at the backdrop +2 EV and the third was in an umbrella on my left. I made the mistake of not using a softbox on my umbrella. I think this would have helped me a lot. The was a reflector on my right.

Interesting to me that some feel the light was too high and some feel it was placed too low! I'm not happy with the shadow beneath her chin. My reflector was probably at a bad angle.

Like I said, I set all this up and she granted me a few moments of her time. I took a total of 10 shots before she was done.

I don't mind a little shadow under the chin...it helps to define the jaw line. Thanks for sharing the setup!

Mitchell · Jul 10, 2008

Took these two down 1/2 a stop. Any better or still too hot?

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JMontes · Jul 10, 2008

Mitch, great shots. Check out this thread, particularly post 17 by Peano. If you want to lighten up the darker areas of the face a bit, it works very well. I also got an action by Linda that does the same thing, but I like it more for an entire face rather than certain small areas.

https://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=175617

BTW, they don't look too hot on my monitor.

Duschoolboy · Jul 11, 2008

Mtich she looks like she is a bundle of joy and energy. What a cutie!