First Portrait Using 2-580EX II

[sunnybeach]

This is my first attempt. Straight out of the camera, no PP.
One 580EX II on stand into umbrella, camera right, 45 angle. 2nd 580EX II on camera. White reflector camera left.
Should I get the flash above the camera using a bracket?
Hubby only gave me 5 minutes to experiment with him.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Kath

[SYS]

Very nice! Excellent for your first attempt!

Did you shoot jpeg or raw, and which lens did you use?

[sunnybeach]

Oops! I shot JPEG! Gotta get used to shooting raw and then learning how to process the images. Have only done so a couple of times.
I used the 24-70. Beautiful lens.

[SYS]

Oops! I shot JPEG! Gotta get used to shooting raw and then learning how to process the images. Have only done so a couple of times.
I used the 24-70. Beautiful lens.

If you can nail the exposure everytime, then shooting jpeg is more advantageous as lot of pros rely on it for faster workflow... I shoot RAW because I don't trust myself with the exposure quite yet.... ;)

[sunnybeach]

Thank you for your compliment :D
I think I will start shooting raw. I have ALOT to learn about exposure!
Kath

[SYS]

Thank you for your compliment :D
I think I will start shooting raw. I have ALOT to learn about exposure!
Kath

Look forward to seeing more images of yours.... :D

[sunnybeach]

Any other suggestions?

The ratio of the 2 flashes was 1:4. Would putting it at 1:2 have brought out more light under the hat?

Appreciate all comments, Kath

[SilenceGold]

I can see the shadow lines right under the brim of the hat and above the eyes. It seems annoying to me. Sorry about that.

Maybe if you had a reflector down below in front of him, that would soften the dark shadows?

Disclaimer: I am not an expert at using flashes. I have been browsing the uses of flash topics to see if I should move into using flashes. I'm an outdoors man.

[stathunter]

I agree---pretty good at first attempt. Hard to get perfect with the hat he had on......tell ted nugent to take the hat off for one min and try it again. :)

[Maddog12]

If you can nail the exposure everytime, then shooting jpeg is more advantageous as lot of pros rely on it for faster workflow... I shoot RAW because I don't trust myself with the exposure quite yet.... ;)


me too, but I am getting better! RAW has saved me a couple of times.

[curtd]

I think the only pros using jpg are the ones under deadline or other tight constraints. Letting the camera process images is not usually a good idea, it has limits beyond not being able to "save" you.

That said, I like the photo. The shadow from the hat is from the camera flash, and seems harsh, but the catch light in the eyes is nice. Raising the camera flash higher would cast that shadow down even more and that would be distractive.A third light from the rear would make the subject stand out from the background.

Again, i like the photo, keep going!

Peace, Curt

[sunnybeach]

Thanks guys.

As far as the reflector. I would put that in front & angle it up towards him? Any suggestion as to how close?

I do have another light for the background but I am trying to work with 2 lights only until I figure out exactly what I'm doing.

I'll try & get one without the hat.

[SilenceGold]

It would depend on how big your reflector is. The larger the surface area of the reflector, the more brightness that would be reflected.

Just do a trial and error until you see that the shadow under the brim of the hat is no longer hiding his skin and hair features.

I would suggest to keep the hat on. It's the point of the portrait...showing an hunter in his apparel.

[AHDL247]

Really nice clean shot. If you had moved the main light down just a little, you would have lit up his eyes to match the rest of his face.
Cheers
Roy

[hawk911]

Maybe have him tip the head backward just an inch? Might not have ruined the effect he wanted, and allowed a bit more light under the brim. And a reflector ;)

[sunnybeach]

I will try a couple different things. Maybe he'll let me practice on him again tommorrow. And yup.....the hat stays on. :D
Thanks for all your comments & ideas.
Kath

[parshooter]

Tape white paper to the underside of the hat brim?

Just wondering out loud if that would help bring out any forehead detail and lesson the shadow there...


Aside from that shadow, your first attempt looks great to me!

[kennykodak]

i'm really okay with the light and the shadow, this is not a model. compostion is my only concern. more room in front of face than behind. try a flip image horizontal, crop in behind subject, brown tone and burn corners. just for kicks, copy the image after the crop (in color) do the rest and paste the the color layer back. drop opacity of color layer to taste.

[Kamra]

This is my first attempt. Straight out of the camera, no PP.
One 580EX II on stand into umbrella, camera right, 45 angle. 2nd 580EX II on camera. White reflector camera left.
Should I get the flash above the camera using a bracket?
Hubby only gave me 5 minutes to experiment with him.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Kath

I think you did a nice job. I'd like to know the settings on the camera and lights. The hat shadowing is a reality, in my opinion. After all, what is a hat for?... shading the eyes. Even though the hat shades the eyes it' a good exposure. Also...Using an on camera flash bracket would work because that is where you want your fill, right in front of the subject. Your main would be off to the side of choice set it to 1 and a third stops hotter than fill. Please let me know your settings. I like it.