First "Studio" shoot

[Alex.K]

So I just got some very simple studio lighting. soft box, two lights(or whatever they're called. I'm not up on that lingo yet.) some umbrellas, barn doors and I think that's it. My /mentors/ got these, and let me play with them for a few weeks...the only thing we lack is where to put a studio. Soooo, they gave me this "huge" flanel piece and I threw it over this thing in my room. Set up my lights and called my youngest siblings down. Its a simple set-up, I practically had no idea what I was doing, and we had fun. Here are a few shots. I'd love some C&C and how I could get better.

1.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs119.snc3/16635_1282412704675_1360810227_30837557_3467860_n. jpg
Caption: Yes, I have to LIVE with this girl. *sigh*

2.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs119.snc3/16635_1282412864679_1360810227_30837561_2923346_n. jpg


3.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16635_1282413344691_1360810227_30837572_6938430_n. jpg

4.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs119.snc3/16635_1282413464694_1360810227_30837575_7706270_n. jpg

5.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs119.snc3/16635_1282413544696_1360810227_30837577_3030337_n. jpg

6.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16635_1282413584697_1360810227_30837578_3787184_n. jpg

Half the pics are just...kandid. I like that, I think it really brings out their personallity. But what do you guys think? I'm shooting a 3yr & a 1yr old in a week. And I'm thinking I'll get better "set-up/kandid" shots. haha.

thank you for looking,
a.k

[picturepages]

Can I give a suggestion?
Next time lay down a white sheet for them to sit on as well.
You wont have that "divided" look and then you can process out the line from the white sheets hitting each other.

[Alex.K]

I love that suggestion! We just don't have a white sheet laying around(weird, right? DO ALL THE SHEETS IN THE HOUSE HAVE TO HAVE PRINTS?!?!?!?!?! anywayyyyy)
thanks. [:

[SuzyView]

When you shoot from above, you lose the whole effect of the background. Put the children on stools and take the picture completely eye level to them or crop tight so none of the floor is in the image.

[Alex.K]

alright. Thank you, Suzie. [:

[CeeJayCee]

This tutorial is very good: http://www.zarias.com/?p=71

Because your background is not full-length, stick to head and shoulder shots at eye level to just get the background in. Tightening the background material will help to get it completely white, as well as repositioning your lights.

[Alex.K]

This tutorial is very good: http://www.zarias.com/?p=71

Because your background is not full-length, stick to head and shoulder shots at eye level to just get the background in. Tightening the background material will help to get it completely white, as well as repositioning your lights.


thank you very much. [:

[mwdakota]

Nice captures but your lighting ratio off, IE your BD is more lit than the subjects.

[CeeJayCee]

Nice captures but your lighting ratio off, IE your BD is more lit than the subjects.


Using a white background, you want the background lights to be about 2 stops higher than the subject lights - this gets you the completely blown white look I think Photography~girl~ was aiming for here. You balance this with distance between the background and foreground and you get a well lit image.

[Alex.K]

Using a white background, you want the background lights to be about 2 stops higher than the subject lights - this gets you the completely blown white look I think Photography~girl~ was aiming for here. You balance this with distance between the background and foreground and you get a well lit image.

Um. yeah that was the look I was trying to get...trying being the key word there. hahahaha. :P