New to studio photography - critique welcome

[krisdoff]

I've just got a small portable studio setup and am keen to get valuable criticism / tips.

EOS 10D 50mm f1.4 at F8 (DOF modified in Photoshop). Bowens 500 Esprit lights with softbox on key light and silver/white brolly on fill with background lit separately.

I'm not sensitive and it's not my day job - so be blunt as you like.
http://www.pbase.com/image/31822159

Other images at http://www.pbase.com/krisdoff/studio

[chris.bailey]

#1 - Lighting is a bit flat and looks to be low. Lights should pretty well always be above the model so the catchlight are above the centre of the eye.

#2 - Better but your fill is a bit too square and I would lower the ratios a bit. The shadow on the background is a bit distracting. Again the lights could do with being a bit higher.

#3 - Very Nice. Some of the sheeting is blown out which is really hard not to do without limiting the light spill with barn doors or gobos. Note how much more natural it looks with the catchlights above the centre of the eye.

#4 - Nice idea but shadows seem harsh and could do with lifting a bit in PS.

I have the same lighting as you (and the 50 1.4 is my fave). They are very powerful in a small studio especially if you want nice soft lighting by bringing them close in. I personally rarely use a silver brolly and nearly always a BIG white shoot through. Hard to tell from the .jpgs but it does look as though you slightly missed the focus which should always be on the eyes.

It is not easy to get right, I reckon on getting 1:50 keeper rate :lol:

[krisdoff]

Thanks Chris - much appreciated. I've had to reload the images (forgot to check the color profile with save to web) - I think they're still in the same order - pretty sure judging by your critique. Many thanks - very useful comments - will act upon them.