First attempt at studio photography`

[luisgriveratorres]

I just purchased a cheap studio lighting kit and these are my very first shots. Please, tell me what you think. I calibrated my monitor using the adobe gamma and I am afraid that some of the backdrop wrinkles could show up....

[iN5P1R3]

Lighting issues plague both of the images. I'm not a lighting expert, but there's something funky going on with the lighting in image #1. It looks like the background had too much light. Your second image is underexposed and your subject has no separation from the background whatsoever.

[BigAlz1]

I like them both, it is obvious that was your intent with each image. Number one rocks out!! Please share your lighting on it.

[Nysa]

I like #1. The soft focus effect is flattering to the model.

I agree about the exposure for #2. You needed to up the flash power, open your aperture more, or increase the ISO. And something for separation from the background would be good. It's often as easy as adding a white piece of paper just out of frame opposite the flash. It'll reflect light onto the back of the model, and help make them pop out from the background.

[aram535]

Well it really depends on what your intentions were. I think you missed huge and got lucky with the first image. It's very artsy, it will have no takers other than other photographers who are tired of looking at exactly the same setup over and over again.

My suggestion is to build one light at a time. Setup only the Key, than turn that off and setup the fill, than turn that off and setup the background. Go with minimum power to start with and raise as needed rather than the other way around. You can always open up your lens more to get more light in. The less light the faster you can recycle your flash and shoot again.

[luisgriveratorres]

Thanks for your comments guys. I recognize that picture #1 is very typical, but I thought I should try that kind of things first in order to compare the quality of the lighting and my own skills. Regarding the second shot, I had to darken the background since I had some visible wrinkles on the background. I also had very limiting space that kept me from separating the subject from the background even more.
Regarding the lights, I used what some people have consider a very cheap kit for a reason, is a Square Perfect 3500, everything for $289. However, for an amateur like me experimenting with light for the first time I think it provides good results... Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I will consider them for my next try...

[DarksideTi]

Kudos on getting into studio work, it's fun for sure! There is nothing wrong with the Square Perfect set up, no it it does not have the features that a higher end set up has, nor the light quality, BUT it's a great learning set (I know, I have one).

I really don't have any advise that hasn't already been mentioned, but I will say this. Keep a note pad close by, and practice moving your lights in a variety of different places, then make notes on where the lights were placed, the settings, and how it made the shot look. Couple that with the helpful tips from places like POTN and you will be well on you're way!

PS: Love the model in the first shot, she has a great look!

[alphonsis]

There is the shadow on her right forearm, by the elbow that is distracting. It looks like it may be from the background light. I think that this could also use a stronger fill light, as the contrast between her left and right arms is very strong. For a high key shot like this, I also like a hair light, as the interface between the hair and the background creates a unpleasant (to me) halo effect. Lastly, it's too soft. I want something to focus on, which looks like it's supposed to be her eyes, but the face is so soft.

2. is quite underexposed.

[luisgriveratorres]

I think I need to calibrate my monitor a little better too. I printed these two pictures and came out darker than expected, that could be explain by poor calibration. Regarding the lighting kit, I feel happy with it, I know it'll take time to learn how to use it. I have a third light that I haven't used yet since I want to learn more about one and two lighting techniques.