Waking the family for a photoshoot, lol (5pics)

[toddb]

Before I headed off to work, I wanted to try this lighting set up. I have only the one Softbox, but I've seen them used for the background. Was having trouble lighting the front side so I put my 550EX flash on the off shoe cord and set it on a chair to the left and put my reflector on the right. The 550EX was a bit harsh and cast a strong shadown then I'd like...so I'll have to experement with this some more.

http://pws.cablespeed.com/~toddb/forumpost/May/CRW_0194.jpg

Then my family woke up so I had to get a few shots of them while I had the light setup. But this time, I put the softbox in the normal 45degree to the right side with the outside part of my 5-in-1 reflector (the silver side) and attached it to my tripod and used the inside white defusser part behind them as a background. I got to find some good cheep backgrounds. I wish I would have thought to put some sort of light/lamp behind the defuser I was using as a background to light it up some. I'll have to try and remember that next time.

http://pws.cablespeed.com/~toddb/forumpost/May/CRW_0168.jpg

http://pws.cablespeed.com/~toddb/forumpost/May/CRW_0170.jpg

http://pws.cablespeed.com/~toddb/forumpost/May/CRW_0174.jpg

http://pws.cablespeed.com/~toddb/forumpost/May/CRW_0186.jpg

[BlueTit]

They look great, love the eyes in the last one. The first one is very intense against the lightbox - interesting effect.

[elbirth]

did you do much postprocessing? I notice the freckle above the girl's eye is almost completely gone in the 3rd shot, but quite noticable in the others.

Nice shots, that lighting looks pretty good

[toddb]

did you do much postprocessing? I notice the freckle above the girl's eye is almost completely gone in the 3rd shot, but quite noticable in the others.

Nice shots, that lighting looks pretty good

Your right, I really didn't do much PS other then crop, I may have extended the background out to the edges and sharpened. That one your right though, I think I was playing with the new "Spot Heal" brush in PS CS2. Maks for really quick touchups. I'm still amazed at how well this little $70 dollar lens works even though my 10D is a little dated now, still seems to work pretty good. I can't wait to save up for another one of these softboxes to build up my lighting. It's been allot to play with controlled lighting.

[Feihung08]

Those last two shots are great keepers! Love both the kids expressions and the lighting is very good in them.

I too like the idea for the first one but it looks like it's distorting his head a bit too much?

[drisley]

That last one is awesome!
The eyes in all of them look great.
I would suggest cropping or photoshoping #2 so that "object" behind her shoulder on the right side of the picture doesn't show. It's a little distracting.

[MAD DOG]

Number 4 wins it for me.

Just because it's a lovely natural pose.

Looks like the man in the photo's is staring hard at the camera so that he won't blink when the flash goes off...... shame.

I think considering your limited resources you've done a very resonable job. :-)

[Maureen Souza]

Very nice... I am assuming you are the man in the photos. Adorable shots with your wife and kids....

[Keiffer]

Nice shots Todd, especially the last one. The energy emitting from your daughter gave me energy:-). One question though...How did you get the borders and wording on the border of your pics? I like that the copyright and the shot info is great.

[Drg]

pretty dam good for 70 bucks lense
great shots, the lighting is a little to bright on the first few but the last one is great

[toddb]

Thanks for all the comments. That is me, lol. I'm focusing on lighting currently, but don't get allot of time for experiment so I sometimes just stand in front of the camera. I should probably just get a manican that is already smiling, lol. My poor family is probably so tired of my trying to get them to pose because I always try shifting things around. It's pretty hard with a 3 year old and a 6 month old that needs her mom 24/7. So you probably won't see any shots were we are dressed up or very exciting composures. I'm lucky to get some of these great expressions every once in a while (most of the shots are not, sure glad this is digital).

Nice shots Todd, especially the last one. The energy emitting from your daughter gave me energy:-). One question though...How did you get the borders and wording on the border of your pics? I like that the copyright and the shot info is great.


I posted some scritps I've been hacking here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=67966

[Keiffer]

Thanks Todd. Good work!