First real attempt of my wife please C&C

[ukcyberboy]

I tried for my first real setup, I followed a tutorial that suggested a feathered light from softbox and a gel flash.
I had to do a little adjustment in lightroom. I did meter them but they seemed a little over exposed.
f/6.3,ss 200, iso100

484264

I would like all help possible to show how beautiful my model is. :D

[celina20]

Sorry..I am only an amateur. But..why don't you use "soft" light with this kind of face.Besides, coming from above the light shows too much the texture of the skin.
My 2 cent.
Luis

[ed.]

I think as a portrait it's ok.
What size softbox are you using?

[Hoppy1]

Notice how the wrinkles on her left eye are much less obvious than on her right, because the angle of the light is picking them out.

Move the light further round towards the camera - not too much as you want to keep that directional modelling - and move it closer, to soften it further. Try both of those things and see if you like either/both better.

Also turn her a little more towards the camera, it will help smooth out her neck and she'll look a little less uncomfortable and the pose less contrived.

[david lacey]

Notice how the wrinkles on her left eye are much less obvious than on her right, because the angle of the light is picking them out.

Move the light further round towards the camera - not too much as you want to keep that directional modelling - and move it closer, to soften it further. Try both of those things and see if you like either/both better.

Also turn her a little more towards the camera, it will help smooth out her neck and she'll look a little less uncomfortable and the pose less contrived.

X2

Agree with trying closer soft box and more strait on. I would also play with the shoulder and head position in an effort to tighten up the skin that is too relaxed around the neck and jaw. All technical books aside I would just move it all over the place and see what happens and have fun with it you are doing great!

[ukcyberboy]

Firstly thanks for taking the time to C&C.

Sorry..I am only an amateur. But..why don't you use "soft" light with this kind of face.Besides, coming from above the light shows too much the texture of the skin.
My 2 cent.
Luis
Yup it doesn't look that bad on my screen it has suffered from compression.

I used a 24" square softbox, was also hoping people would say whether the exposure is OK.

Hoppy1, I agree I need to look at a few things with this one we shot loads, this was one I liked but I need to be more critical.

Thanks again

David I think I may shoot from a higher position or sit her on the floor.

I tried the straight on it seemed flat was trying for a little more drama.I am trying to get some pop too.

[SkipD]

I used a 24" square softbox, was also hoping people would say whether the exposure is OK.That is a TINY softbox to be using for a portrait if you want soft lighting. I usually start with my 30"x60" softbox as my main light for portrait work. Then I add other lights for fill, hair lighting, background lighting, etc.

The large softbox lets me emulate a large window if I care to. I might even put black tape across it's front surface so that the catchlights look like the muntins in a divided-light window.

The exposure looks about right. Are you using a flash meter to figure out your exposure or just a lot of experimenting?

[ukcyberboy]

Flash meter, I have a Kenko 1100, the one that was Minolta.
I am just looking into a newer set up going to sell the small box and Flash and go with a single strobe.
But thanks for comments and help.

[david lacey]

I might even put black tape across it's front surface so that the catchlights look like the muntins in a divided-light window.




Nice tip! thanks for sharing it.

[Titus213]

I like the lighting and the detail you've captured and the color looks good. Softer would be better. And she does look a bit stretched in that pose. Shift her left shoulder a bit toward the camera?