Just started People C&C

[Joey p]

I've been shooting for a few years now, but just started shooting people. My lighting set up consists of Home depot Specials ( shop lights) with homemade diffusers. I have taken a big interest in glamour and high fashion photography. Now I just need to get some big boy lighting. For now this is what I am making due with. C&C please and recommendations on studio lighting kits for beginners with room to grow.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/joeyp350Z/IMG_3254.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/joeyp350Z/IMG_3273.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/joeyp350Z/IMG_3291.jpg

[cbknight]

Lovely Lady.

Like all three but as a personal preference for glamour, I would suggest some lipstick and more makeup. On a personal note (non-glamour) love them the way they are without all the paint. Fairly sharp, nice eyes. Shadows look good. Maybe turn her where she isnt straight at camera.
Lighting is ok for what your working with. The model saved you though. Great look.
One is my favorite, always love the cutesy look of the eye thing.

[Joey p]

Thanks for the feedback. Having a beautiful wife helps out sometimes. lol

[JimMcrae]

I think you did really well with the lighting considering your constraints, but I'd prefer to see those lovely, brown eyes looking right into the lens. #2 is the only one she's looking at the lens, but I'm not so keen on the composition in that one with her chin and top of her head cut off. #1 and #3 are better though, but maybe think about sharpening the eyes?

The glamour versus natural portrait look I find to be a problem, especially when taking photos of a beautiful woman. Good luck on that one! :)

[mattaura]

EDIT: Just realized you may have been looking for a lighting critique moreso than overall picture. If so, then forget this post :) I'll leave my edit up for the time-being in case of the latter.
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Nice job with your current setup. I think the lighting is pleasing and these are some good shots.

While she has some very nice skin, for these glamour types of shots, I'm thinking a bit of skin smoothing would help. It really is a matter of what your going for...but if you want that type of look there is a quick remedy.

Use some noise reduction software sampled on an area of her face. I just used the demo version of neat image here, with default settings. Took a tiny bit of red out with levels...then fixed chin where it looked weird after I smoothed.

After you do that, then hit it with a sharpen. If you are working on a full size file...use unsharp max...for something small like this file I simply used filter > sharpen. I actually sharpened twice...probably could have just done it once...may have overdone it, just depends on taste.

Finally just hit the eyes with the dodge tool real quick.

Sounds like a lot but literally took about 2 minutes...not much too do because the photos themselves are technically sound.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/mat987/OTHERS%20EDITS%20-%20NOT%20MY%20PHOTOS/g2.jpg

[errolhiggins]

I think the lighting is a little even. Try a ratio of 2 to 1. It should give a little more depth to the features.

[Joey p]

Thanks for the feed back. I probably should've re worded Glamour and went with " beauty" shots. I really like how the dodge tool made the eyes pop. I'll give at another shot in pp and we'll see if I can put any of it to use. Thanks again

[Joey p]

I think the lighting is a little even. Try a ratio of 2 to 1. It should give a little more depth to the features.

Please elaborate.

[Joey p]

OK, Here's what I came up with:

Before:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/joeyp350Z/IMG_3273.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/joeyp350Z/IMG_3273copy.jpg

[deathcake]

^^ Nice edit, I like what you did with the eyes. If you are going for natural beauty (vs. glamour) portraits, this is great. I think a similar edit would work on the other 2 shots as well, to bring out the eyes a bit more, while keeping it looking natural. Lovely wife, you're lucky having her to pose for you =)

[lundgrenj]

If you light stronger from up top, it makes for a great glamor look.