two flash lighting

[movol]

trying to get this 2 flash portrait lighting thing going -

1 420ex umbrella off to camera right
1 580ex II off camera with hotshoe cord holding about 18 inches above camera FEC +2 1/2
1 makeshift reflector on camera left turned toward subject(s).

I'm not worried to much about framing,(hence a little off center and the stool rail visible) my subjects(family) are less than thrilled to be guinea pigs(i've been dragging them downstairs constantly)...more interested in seeing if I appear to be getting the lighting/exposure correct. I think so, but i'll let more experienced photog's have their say.

There is no PP at all..just converted from raw and resized for posting.

If exif is desired, i can post as well.

Thanks.

[movol]

any thoughts/opinions?

or is this just a slow category on this forum...maybe i could get it moved to the people forum where there's more traffic.

[movol]

bump

[lputtbach]

While I don't have any expert opinion to offer you, I wanted to comment about your enthusiastic subjects! My family feels the same way and pic #1 just radiates that ("what?! what do you want me to do?!")

[Yanis]

Greetings movol,

Just my 2 cents...:oops:

- both photos look underexposed.
- your makeshift reflector did its job but it looks like the 420EX output wasn't sufficient.
- try switching the 420EX and 580EX.

Also, it would help if you included the exif for both shots.

Ditto on what lputtbach said about your family's enthusiasm.

Peace,
Yanis :D

[movol]

My wife was ok with it, since she just jumped in the pic but my son had been helping me for about 1/2 hour by then.

PIC #1
Shooting Date/Time
12/18/2007 17:21:05
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/125Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F4.5
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
400
Lens
EF-S17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Focal Length
37.0 mm
Image size
3504 x 2336
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
On
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
AI focus AF
Picture Style
Portlait

PIC # 2

[movol]

PIC #2

File name
IMG_2826.CR2
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 30D
Shooting Date/Time
12/18/2007 17:18:29
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/125Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F4.5
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
400
Lens
EF-S17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Focal Length
55.0 mm
Image size
3504 x 2336
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
On
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
AI focus AF
Picture Style

[Chris71]

They both look underexposed.

[movol]

They both look underexposed.

yeah, that's the word i'm getting...anything constructive on how i might change my settings/setup

One recommendation from a previous poster was to switch my flashes..

What's your's..or do you just have 'underexposed' as your input?

[sswanson]

You appear to actually want real CC, so here goes!

Are you sure the 420 was to camera right? The catch lights look like they put it camera left to me. I would suggest using one light only for lighting the image, i.e. turn off the 580 during the exposure (consult your manual/google for help). This will create more dramatic shadows and add more interesting dynamics for the images.

You should also move the umbrella as close to the subject(s) as possible while still keeping it out of frame. This will increase the apparent size of the light source on the models, and will be a more flattering light. It will also allow you to get rid the higher clarity available at 100 ISO.

You shot this at 37mm. Get back, WAY back, and shoot from as far away as your room allows. A longer lens focal length will decrease the depth of field and perhaps hide some of the imperfections in the backdrop.

If you find a way to rig an additional light source, make it a hair or backdrop light, to increase the separation of subjects from the backdrop.

Make sense? I hope so, as that's all the time I have at the moment. Hope it helps!

Scott

[movol]

Scott,

Thanks!!!! appreciate the comments and will give it a go...

oh, and i can't believe you are 1st one to catch that...the 420 was on camera left..

Everybody else get's an 'F'! LOL But seriously.....Thanks again!

[sswanson]

Glad to help. Take some more with that willing son of yours and repost the results!

BTW - if you PM me when you do, I'm happy to take a look. Don't read all the threads on here after all, and would likely miss yours. :-)

[DVS_WiNdz]

Still seems a bit underexposed

[Meaty0]

What Scott said makes sense. If you don't rig a hair light, I wonder if you might do better to raise your main light source a bit higher to light up the top of the subject's heads a bit better? They seem a little too dark. Make sure you don't lose the catch lights though.