This is totally frustrating!

[focuspocus]

Hi fellow POTN'ers.
I am trying my hand at studio lighting on a white background and am finding it very frustrating:( . Can someone tell me from this photo what I am missing? (Don't mind the model, she is watching tv). I have one strobe on the background right side, the key is a softbox camera left at 45 degrees and a white reflector on the right. Model is approx. 8 ft. from background. Any input would be wonderful.

[gbart]

What's wrong with it? You've lit the background perfectly for a high key image. I assume that's what you're trying to do, yes? Are you frustrated with the lighting on the model?

[davidfig]

What is your expectation? Why do you think this is not good?

[gbart]

You know, as I look at this image, the background is so well lit that it's almost as if you extracted her from another image and placed her against a stark, white background. Is that what you did?

[focuspocus]

I guess it just seems so flat to me. Maybe I am being too critical of myself.

[jcpoulin]

A hair light oposite your key light may add some seperation.

[gbart]

I'm no pro at lighting, especially children, but I'd try backing off the reflector on the right side (or maybe even removing it) to give her face a little depth. BTW, aren't children's faces supposed to be lit evenly?

[cdifoto]

Back the reflector up some. I think it's simply filling too strongly and you have no shadows. Get her to pose and smile and your image will really kick. :)

[TMR Design]

Hi focuspocus,

The image looks pretty good but yes it is a little 'flat' as you say. I would suggest that you move your main light slightly further to the side, away from the camera and raise the light up a little. I might also suggest that you move the fill reflector a little closer to the lens's axis and slightly further from the subject. This will give you a bit more contrast between the highlight and shadow side of your subject. Try that and work on the composition a little. Looks like you're doing great so far.

[Longwatcher]

To My eye it looks like the main light is too close to center and you need to separate the reflector from the main a bit more to get a better (lower in this case ) fill ratio with the reflector, this will add a touch more shadow, which should help a bit with the flatness.

And maybe rotate the main just a touch more off camera center.

Lastly maybe try coming in or going out a little bit from your subject and turning her head a touch off center. These last are just random suggestions.

Just some suggestions, based on the fact that the catch lights in the eye appear to be a bit too close together.

[davidfig]

I guess it just seems so flat to me. Maybe I am being too critical of myself.

Ah well that's the key. Flat looks come from straight on light. So move the key light further back. If its to the left, then move it more to the back on the left side.

[focuspocus]

I knew you guys would know! Thanks for the suggestions!