3 lights portrait

[KyoMoon]

My teacher gave me a new challenge that is taking a 3 light portrait ... this end up harder than i though .. but i got some goods one .. please leave C&C Thanks

[Colin Southern]

My teacher gave me a new challenge that is taking a 3 light portrait ... this end up harder than i though .. but i got some goods one .. please leave C&C Thanks

Hi Tien,

With the first shot ...

- It's looking a bit too soft (might be just my eyes - I've just got out of bed though!)

- With shots like this, you need to apply some processing to darken the shoulder skin tones; as they stand, they're the same level as the face, which draws the eye away from the face.

- You've used broadside lighting - which is fine - but you need less fill light so that the lighting across the face isn't so even.

With the second shot ...

- Again, a bit too soft

- Generally, avoid light coloured sleeves -- they draw the eye away from the face (a vignette usually works well to de-emphasise them, and gives the appearance of better targeted lighting)

- Again, the lighting might look better if it wasn't quite as even

Here's a couple of examples of mine to show you what I mean (although the first one was part of a hard light series -- normally I'd use a softbox to smooth out the loop lighting a bit more)

[KyoMoon]

awesome advices Colin .. thankyou verymuch

[Goldcoastgolfer]

My teacher gave me a new challenge that is taking a 3 light portrait ... this end up harder than i though .. but i got some goods one .. please leave C&C Thanks




For some reason I can't see your photos...

[Colin Southern]

Seeing them both at this end.

[Colin Southern]

awesome advices Colin .. thankyou verymuch

You're very welcome Tien.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Seeing them both at this end.

I've used three different computers at different locations and still can't see them - odd...

[dje]

I cant see them either.

[Colin Southern]

I cant see them either.

I've waved my magic wand - and all should be visible now.

[dje]

That's better !! The young lady is a lovely model but I'll leave the commentary to the portrait experts !

Dave

[Goldcoastgolfer]

That's better !! The young lady is a lovely model but I'll leave the commentary to the portrait experts !

Dave

What Dave said I'll leave it to the portrait expert.

[speedneeder]

I agree that the focus on the eyes is off. It appears the DOF is very shallow and the focal point is not the eyes. Perhaps you were going for the blurry look?
The first one the bright flower in the foreground is OK, but since it is also in better focus, that is what I am looking at.
The second one, seems a little under exposed, too dark.
In both photos I would think about a hair light. The black hair on the black background would really benefit from this. It appears to me that both of Colin's photos include this.

[KTHXBAI]

Colin,

How many lights did you use in your shots?

Thanks,

[Colin Southern]

Colin,

How many lights did you use in your shots?

Thanks,

I usually use between 3 & 5 - all 5 if I'm using a white background or rim lights. Occasionally less for guys (no hair lights needed).

[KyoMoon]

@ Brian .. idk why every pics of mine .. i can't get the right focus for the eyes ... even with the MF or AF ... do u have any tips?

[speedneeder]

Tien, I usually use center focus only, put the center point on the eyes, press halfway, beep, recompose while holding the button halfway, then click. If you use all points, the camera will focus on the closest point usually. Another thing to do is use a smaller aperture. Many photographers try to stick with f8-f11 for portraits MOST of the time.

[Colin Southern]

@ Brian .. idk why every pics of mine .. i can't get the right focus for the eyes ... even with the MF or AF ... do u have any tips?

I select the single AF point closest to the eyes and then focus/recompose.

[speedneeder]

Depending on your camera, that's not always quick and easy to do!
For my 60D this an option to have the D pad thingy select the focus point.

[KyoMoon]

man why i didn't think of that i always leave it in auto AF point selection ...

[Colin Southern]

man why i didn't think of that i always leave it in auto AF point selection ...

No no no no no no no no no .. and no!