First Maternity Attempt - Silhoette - Please C&C

[jay415]

This is my first attempt at Maternity shots, Well it's really only my 2nd attempt on studio setting shots at all. But anyway this is my wife at 24weeks 4days with our 2nd child. Well how did I do? I can take criticism as long as you tell me what I could do to make it better, that's how I learn. I am going to do more in the future, hopefully including my 2 1/2 year son.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4106524936_f235f23223_b.jpg

[jay415]

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[jay415]

I really like the shot but would probably change a couple of things.
First I would bring the light a little forward so more of her stomach is lit up as that is the reason for the shot.
Second I would desaturate and go with monochrome which imho would work much better with this type of setting.

Skip
Thanks, I was just having that conversation with my wife. She was complaining that she could barely see her hands. I used a back lit white sheet back ground and we discussed her angeling towards it to reflect more light on her front. Gonna give it a try

[jay415]

I haven't had time to shoot again, but here's another from the same day.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/4132587168_d1fdbc8442_b.jpg

[jetcode]

I like both images and think the tone is beautiful ... in the 1st there is a little sliver near the top right side, it's her arm ... I might remove that as it's a little odd as a graphic shape.

[drumsfield]

I haven't had time to shoot again, but here's another from the same day.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/4132587168_d1fdbc8442_b.jpg

This is nice. The lines flows like an "S" which is very attractive. You might loose some of the chin and the neck as they are distracting to the rest of the image. The first image is nice as well.

[ssnxp]

Very beautiful. Could you share your set up? I'm thinking a single light to camera left, aimed between her and the white background?

[jay415]

Very beautiful. Could you share your set up? I'm thinking a single light to camera left, aimed between her and the white background?

I am very new to studio shooting and I don't have that much equipment. I am also sure that there are other and probably better ways to pull off the same effect.

What I did:
My whole setup was directly behind the subject. I used a white sheet on a pvc background stand I made. Directly behind that I had my 430ex shot into a shoot through umbrella to diffuse the light and prevent any hotspots on the sheet. Exposed to blow out the background and ambient light was dim enough not to affect the shot, but enough for auto focus to work. Then I varied the distance she stood next to the background. The closer to the background the more light spills around her. When I try again I am going to use the same setup but instead of being at a right angle to the background. I will pivot myself and the subject camera left so more light spills onto her front. I'll try to make a diagram when I get a chance. Hopefully you understand my explanation.


Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 100

[ssnxp]

I am very new to studio shooting and I don't have that much equipment. I am also sure that there are other and probably better ways to pull off the same effect.

What I did:
My whole setup was directly behind the subject. I used a white sheet on a pvc background stand I made. Directly behind that I had my 430ex shot into a shoot through umbrella to diffuse the light and prevent any hotspots on the sheet. Exposed to blow out the background and ambient light was dim enough not to affect the shot, but enough for auto focus to work. Then I varied the distance she stood next to the background. The closer to the background the more light spills around her. When I try again I am going to use the same setup but instead of being at a right angle to the background. I will pivot myself and the subject camera left so more light spills onto her front. I'll try to make a diagram when I get a chance. Hopefully you understand my explanation.


Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Thank you! It's late for me, but I think I get it. A diagram would be awesome too!

Thanks again for the explanation.

[jay415]

Thank you! It's late for me, but I think I get it. A diagram would be awesome too!

Thanks again for the explanation.


This is approx the way I shot these
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x148/jay11762/photo%20forum/lighting/lighting-diagram-1259161073.png

and this is what I was thinking to try next for more spill light on her front (if I ever get to do it, 2 year old at home makes it difficult, lol)
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x148/jay11762/photo%20forum/lighting/lighting-diagram-1259161115.png

[ssnxp]

This is approx the way I shot these

and this is what I was thinking to try next for more spill light on her front (if I ever get to do it, 2 year old at home makes it difficult, lol)


Thank you! I hope you find the time to try it again. It'd be worth it to make an amazing picture better.