Lighting will be the death of me - Is this better?

[serissolutions]

OK I had to stoop to the lowest form of photography, self portraits (just kiddin)

You may remember Honeypie's face in my last light test. Needless to say she didnt volunteer this time so I took pics of myself.

Please ignore the pose clothing ect. This is just a light test.

Is the lighting better?

http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/images/Portraits/Albert_Self_Portrait.jpg

[tim]

IMHO there's not enough light on your face.

[serissolutions]

I think i am going to burn all my lights

[tim]

Or just bend your knees - your shirt looks well enough lit ;)

[Andy_T]

The portrait is definitely a lot better than the last one :D

I like the hair and the moderate shirt ... but try closing one more button :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[serissolutions]

The portrait is definitely a lot better than the last one :D

I like the hair and the moderate shirt ... but try closing one more button :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

This portrait was just a light test. It was not intended to be a good portrait. I had just gotten home from work and opened the shirt then sat and relaxed, then decided to test out my lighting skills again.

[OceanRider]

ya more need on face

[jimsolt]

You are dealing with one of the disadvantages of so called cheap lights -- you don't have much control over them. It looks like the brightest spot in your picture is your shirt. I'm sure you didn't plan it that way.
You are right to keep on trying. There has been some improvement. There will undoubtedly be more.
If you diffuse the light(s), the result will be more even lighting. This need not be flat lighting and it will solve the shirt/face brightness problem.. A well diffused light for the main light and an identical one for the fill will give you the dreaded flat lighting. If you move the main light closer to the subject and/or the fill light farther away, you will begin to get the desired effect.
Don't be discouraged. You're learning.
Jim

[smittymike19]

ok here is my suggestion. Buck up and get yourself a small lighting kit from alien bees. I know you have been working hard to get the principals of lighting down using work lights but they have severe limitations. If you look at the actual light hitting your chest you can actually see 3 distinct lines of light (shadows). You are obviously dedicated to this hobby so spend a little and end your frustrations now. Also, spend 15 dollars on a lighting book or 1.50 on a cup of coffee and a few hours in a barnes and noble. :)

[mbze430]

The lights are fine. It's the position of the lights. It's low and it's alittle too much to the side. Try moving the light higher and than closer to the angle of the camera

[Fer]

I like it, but you need more light on your face ;)

[serissolutions]

You are dealing with one of the disadvantages of so called cheap lights -- you don't have much control over them. It looks like the brightest spot in your picture is your shirt. I'm sure you didn't plan it that way.
You are right to keep on trying. There has been some improvement. There will undoubtedly be more.
If you diffuse the light(s), the result will be more even lighting. This need not be flat lighting and it will solve the shirt/face brightness problem.. A well diffused light for the main light and an identical one for the fill will give you the dreaded flat lighting. If you move the main light closer to the subject and/or the fill light farther away, you will begin to get the desired effect.
Don't be discouraged. You're learning.
Jim

Lights were diffused and very close to me, approx 3 feet away

I used distance to regulate the strenght of the lights. Main light was 3 feet away at face level, fill light was 6 feet away on the opposite corner.
Also had a hair light on the top right of the pic.

[serissolutions]

ok here is my suggestion. Buck up and get yourself a small lighting kit from alien bees. I know you have been working hard to get the principals of lighting down using work lights but they have severe limitations. If you look at the actual light hitting your chest you can actually see 3 distinct lines of light (shadows). You are obviously dedicated to this hobby so spend a little and end your frustrations now. Also, spend 15 dollars on a lighting book or 1.50 on a cup of coffee and a few hours in a barnes and noble. :)

Man lights are so expensive. This has GOT to work. Its almost the equivalent except that there are no intensity controls.


http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/studio4.jpg

http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/setup.gif

[serissolutions]

The lights are fine. It's the position of the lights. It's low and it's alittle too much to the side. Try moving the light higher and than closer to the angle of the camera

i thought so too but what do I know??

i will try again. Im a tenatious little bastard.

[smittymike19]

i have been thinking about why you would have too many shadows and i think it ahs to do with the 1000 watt supply. Because it is 2 seperate lights taht are physically seperated, it may be giving 2 shadows. TRy getting the lights closer together and make sure they are in the same plane. if either one is turned slightly i think it will give these shadows. just me 2 cents.

[serissolutions]

i have been thinking about why you would have too many shadows and i think it ahs to do with the 1000 watt supply. Because it is 2 seperate lights taht are physically seperated, it may be giving 2 shadows. TRy getting the lights closer together and make sure they are in the same plane. if either one is turned slightly i think it will give these shadows. just me 2 cents.

Wow! I hadnt considered that. I think you may have something.
Thanx so much. I will try again...

-S

[Longwatcher]

Looking better,
One comment,
Leave your hair light alone, it looks about right.

- Move you main and fill in.
Assuming 3 feet and 6 feet as decribed
-Move your main in about 6 inches and then if possible move it up about 3 feet and then point down at where you head will end up.
-Your fill needs to come in about 2 feet. You are forgetting range squared effect. It is not linear. So having it twice as far out means it is providing 1/4 the light (not half).

Just my opinion and best guess,