Newbie with lights

I know it could have been sharper. First shoot with lights

I assume your looking for critique on "other than the OOF issues" since you already know that it is soft, but I think that is the first thing you should work on because if your images are as OOF as this one is, you should be fixing that issue first.

With the equipment you have listed you should be knocking out tack sharp images. I'm no pro by any stretch and since I can't see your exif info, I will not guess as to why it is so OOF but will say it looks like your focal point might have been on her chest rather than her eyes. I would suggest using single focal points and positioning it on the eye closest to the camera and not using a large aperture.

cant get past the out of focus problem.....this has to be dealt with first ^^

Sorry guys.....probably was focusing on her chest lol. Correct again and with the equipment it should be tack sharp. Think I was so focused on trying to work on the lighting I forgot to focus on the basic's. I did realize it and the first shoot was diffently a learning experience. I've had compliments, by joe q public liking the lights and picture, but I knew it wouldn't fly here. I was curious on thoughts on how she was lighted?

Lighting doesn't look all that bad. Maybe a tad too high because it picked up your model's blonde hair mostly.

Not sure if you used speedlights or what, but one huge plus of using strobes is they have modeling lights which allow for enough light to really grab accurate focus. You may have tried focusing without enough light to succeed.

One tip: start with a single light and a reflector. To me, it's about 4 x as hard to control TWO lights than one.

dave

Look as though you had 2 lights set to camera left and camera right at somewhat of a 45 degree angle to the model. You may try a clam shell style next time. That will help with the shadows.

goforphoto wrote in post #13060998
Look as though you had 2 lights set to camera left and camera right at somewhat of a 45 degree angle to the model. You may try a clam shell style next time. That will help with the shadows.

Yes very good.....the funny thing was, I was using speed lights and they didn't throw light out as if I were using studio lights.....meaning I know they wouldn't be that good, but the lights were fairly close shooting threw 2 white umbrellas and still the pic would be to dark.If I step back too far to try and get all of her in, I'd catch the edges of the umbrellas using a 85mm. The lights had to be almost on top of the model to get light. I wonder if I was using studio lights if I would have had better results? Besides the out of focus.

what were the speed lights?

With an 85 f1.2 and two 430's, you should have been ok. Do you have the exif info handy? Or remember the settings. You could have easily bumped up your ISO and shot at 2.8-4 aperture with two 430's. Especially with a 5DmkII that handles high ISO very well.....guess we need your settings to accurately help.

Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Lens: Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II
Exposure: Auto exposure, Shutter priority AE, 1/99 sec, f/1.2, ISO 100

Wasn't using my 5D MkII and I was using to 2x430 EX

Auto exposure is the problem.... when shooting studio style take full control of the camera in manual mode and adjust the setting accordingly....

How were you firing the speedlights?

goforphoto wrote in post #13061245
Auto exposure is the problem.... when shooting studio style take full control of the camera in manual mode and adjust the setting accordingly....

How were you firing the speedlights?

Not sure if I understand the question, I was firing them remote. As far as auto goes what setting would you have changed? I believe I was shooting in av mode? I do know I should have bumped the F stop to at least 6-8 range.

What type of triggers were you using?
As far as camera settings,
Manual mode
Aperture around f8
Shutter at sync speed to start then adjust as needed.

Think of it this way, Use the aperture to expose the subject and the shutter to control ambient light and flash to get a balance.
If you do not already know about this site check it out.http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html

perfect example of super equipment not equaling great portraits. You must know how to use the gear and lighting.

Put that thing in manual and keep practicing!

Well Max, we all have to start out somewhere. I lucky enough I can afford good equipment and at 52 learned it doesn't pay to buy it twice or three times. My experience with digital has been about 3 months. Time will tell and yes practice is key.