Where do I stand?

[fstopg]

Trying to improve my basement speedlite studio skills and would like some thoughts on how I am doing. I am mostly happy with these but want to get opinons from you guys on how I can improve. If I remember correct the setup was 540ez CR bounced into umbrella @1/2 power and 430ex CL bounced into umbrella @1/4 power. Both @ f9.0/ss160/ISO200. I think that I should have dropped the 430 to 1/8. I am still very new to this type of photography so any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[hawkeye60]

I like them both but I'd add a little backlight or keylight on #1 to give some separation from the dark background, especially Mom.

[m3rdpwr]

Agreed, perhaps a hairlight, etc to add some seperation from the background.

-Mario

[fstopg]

I just bought another 540ez and it arrived yesterday so I now have that ability. Thanks for the replies.

[m3rdpwr]

I just bought another 540ez and it arrived yesterday so I now have that ability. Thanks for the replies.


Give it a go and let us know!

-Mario

[pepperoni]

I'd say the lighting is too even. If you only have two strobes, and three bodies, try placing one strobe in the umbrella above the camera position (slightly left or right), and the other one bare on the background behind you guys. Need some separation between you and the background.

Just my $.02

[bobbyz]

I like #2, very cute kid. Were you worried with him/her on that chair? I would like to try similar shot with my son.

For these kind of shots, I would guess using 1 light high above camera in butterfly config will give better results. You can use reflector underneath and use your 2nd flash as bg or rim light.

[fstopg]

BobbyZ-What you don't see in the photo is mommas hand just out side of the frame. She would let anything happen to her baby boy. My son is almost 7 months old now and is sitting on his own fairly well so we were not worried. Thanks for the advice to everyone. I am sure that I can get both wife and son to agree to trying more. Mom always wants more photos of the family. Now that I have three speedlites I will try using one as a background light. Thanks again. I'll post more as I get more.

[bobbyz]

Thanks Garrett.

[Papa Carlo]

A free hint ( you can buy me a beer though 8) )
One catchlight makes a very attractive photo. Two equal catchlights makes a person look like he/she was just crying.

[Wilt]

Have the subject NOT turn the head directly to the lens, but have them turn their face just about 10-15 degrees away...you do not want full face shots except for the infant! And turn the body off a bit as well, not square to the lens.

Set up one light (main light) off from the camera position a bit, and have its output about 1EV stronger than a second light next to the camera position (fill)

[fstopg]

I just re-read one of my respones and want to clarify something. Momma woud NOT let anything happen to her baby boy. It is amazing how leaving out one word can get you smacked in the back of the head when momma reads it. Thanks again for all the advice. I am hoping to get a few more this weekend.

[tkoutdoor]

I like them both but I'd add a little backlight or keylight on #1 to give some separation from the dark background, especially Mom.With only two lights one could use a light background instead so that the hair and dark parts don't fade off into the BG. A reflector is an option too.

[johnms88]

I like number 2. Number 1 looks a little flat. Like was said, try some background separation to give it a little depth.

[fstopg]

It took a while but here are a few more that I have taken. Not exactly done the same way but I think that I am heading the right direction. These are both using a single shoot thru umbrella camera right. These were in the middle of the room so I used a higher SS to black out the background. Please tell me what you think. I know that I missed the focus a little on the first but I love this photo of my wife.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/3226414701_86065c7c34_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3227268522_7a80d536ac_o.jpg