First time trying to use artificial lighting -- fail?

Here is my sub-par attempt at using any type of lighting besides natural. I used two flood lights that we had lying around. Please give me advice on light placement and what I should do next time to improve.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/joshuaat/738503​8934/

I have an issue with the cropping....why half a face.....Fine to use any kind of light just need place it differently .... a separation light behind the subject would have been nice...you can do nice portraits with one light and there is plenty of examples on this forum do a search...

use the onr light partly one the subject and let some light spill over to background...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=412392

https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=one+l​ight+setup


http://portrait-photographer.blogspot.​com …rking-with-one-light.html

look at this instead of the strobe use a flood and learn to bounce light around using reflector and foam poster board,,,,,,I saw a beautiful shot and they used kitchen foil on cardboard as a reflector...

JoshuaaT wrote in post #14590180
Here is my sub-par attempt at using any type of lighting besides natural. I used two flood lights that we had lying around. Please give me advice on light placement and what I should do next time to improve.

IMG_6198-4 by JoshuaaT, on Flickr

Why do you say that its a sub-par attempt? What do you not like about the lighting?

One main problem I know of regarding flood lights (assuming that you aren't somehow using modifiers) is the fact that they have little if no control over the amount of light they provide. Which means, the only way that you can control the light is by moving them closer or farther away from your subject. At the same time that is also affecting the apparent size of the light - how big the light is compared to your subject. If you have to move the light far away to reduce its brightness you have also made the light smaller, with respect to your subject. Doing so, also makes the light harder (more defined shadows) at the same time. If you want softer light you have to bring the lights in close... which A) is going to be pretty bright on your subject, and B) probably pretty hot!

stanclark wrote in post #14590264
I have an issue with the cropping....why half a face.....Fine to use any kind of light just need place it differently .... a separation light behind the subject would have been nice...you can do nice portraits with one light and there is plenty of examples on this forum do a search...

use the onr light partly one the subject and let some light spill over to background...

look at this instead of the strobe use a flood and learn to bounce light around using reflector and foam poster board,,,,,,I saw a beautiful shot and they used kitchen foil on cardboard as a reflector...

Thank you for those links. Letting light spill into the background would result in a non-black background which I wanted. I did not have a black backdrop, so I had to keep the lights off of it.

drvnbysound wrote in post #14590698
Why do you say that its a sub-par attempt? What do you not like about the lighting?

I did not like the harsh reflections on my skin from the light, but as you said, I had no control over the intensity of the lights. What would be the best way to even out the light?

You used two flood lights one should be behind him and pointing at him the other light is out front lighting his face unless its a road side yellow stand ones....even with one light your only letting a little spill over....keeping the light highat an angle to his head....

JoshuaaT wrote in post #14591118
Thank you for those links. Letting light spill into the background would result in a non-black background which I wanted. I did not have a black backdrop, so I had to keep the lights off of it.


I did not like the harsh reflections on my skin from the light, but as you said, I had no control over the intensity of the lights. What would be the best way to even out the light?

I think there are a couple of things that you could do to alter both of the above comments... but they both also require space. Regarding the background that you wanted to keep black - move your subject (yourself) further away from the background. This will allow you to retain light, and even add more if desired, while keeping it off the background. Regarding the reflections on your skin - this goes back to intensity of the lights, other than moving the lights close or further away from yourself, you can also feather the light; for example, leave it in the same place, but point the light further in front of you, so that you are positioned in a section of the light that is not as intense as the center is. As with strobes and Speedlites, you can also get modifiers (such as an inexpensive shoot through umbrella) and set it up so that it's in front of your light as a diffuser, to also soften the light.

Thank you everyone. I will try this again this week. Hopefully, I can improve some things based upon your guy's advice. What would be a better pose for this type of shot?