New shots with New Lights

[jtmorales]

I got new strobes this week for my home studio. Here is my first attempt with the lights, let me know what you think. I have a lot to learn still and I need to get a lightmeter. Any suggestions would be great as well, I have a 2 light setup.

http://www.photosbyjcm.com/photo/jaemen_studio.jpg

http://www.photosbyjcm.com/photo/jaemen2_studio.jpg

[JMHPhotography]

hard to tell you used 2 lights. I see no shadows at all from the nose and what not. The only way I can tell is that there are two catchlights in the eyes. I'm guessing from the positioning that you had one set up to your subject's left (camera right) as the main, and the other set up to the camera left(subject right) but a little closer to the camera position, and to the subject for fill. Also it looks lower too. Or maybe the other way around. I do see some shadow under the chin, but it's more straight on... Anyway, what has happened is that it really causes the lighting to be somewhat flat. Remember that photo's are a 2D medium. That means you have to create volume and shape with with your lighting. For a first attempt you've done very well though. Keep at it, and get that meter. It will help you work out the ratios.

Now... that was lighting. Let me tell you what I like about the second photo aside from that. You composed this very well. I love that you didn't crop off the feet. Full body shots should be just that... full body. Nice job.

[jtmorales]

You were pretty on with the lighting setup. The light on camera right is the closer one though. Any suggestions on books or online tutorials on lighting? The whole ratio thing is kind of intimidating. :)

[JMHPhotography]

Lot's of people have sworn by this book. http://lightingmagic.com/litbook.htm

It's interesting the light on the right was closer since the reflection is smaller. What modifiers(umbrella, softbox, so on) did you use for the lighting?

[jtmorales]

I have a softbox to the left of the camera and an umbrella to the right. The light on the right was turned down more than the one on the left as I didn't want it to be too powerful since it was closer. My idea was to use th elight on the right as fill and to help light the background to separate the subject from the background.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

[Wibbles]

#2 is really lovely..I bet Mammy loves it!