ASKING FOR IMPROVEMENTS...

Took the photo with 500d, 24-105 lens... three lights using short lighting... Can I have your comments and suggestions please...

I do not know whats wrong with my posting... I hope you'll find time visiting the image... tnx...

Lighting looks good to me. However, the top of her hair gets lost in the dark background.

joedlh wrote in post #16387030
Lighting looks good to me. However, the top of her hair gets lost in the dark background.

bringing up the rim light a bit higher perhaps?

I think she needs to be turned a little more. And like joedlh stated, the hair gets lost. The gradient background isn't very pleasing either. Her eyes are a weird, creamish color.

Using the gradient light in the back you are beginning to lose the top of her head into the drop, you still have a little separation but not enough. You mention that you used short lighting, but honestly its so close to flat that I wouldnt have noticed short lighting if you didnt mention it. For business or promotional headshots thats fine, but for a more flattering portrait you might want a bit more difference between key and fill.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16387369
Using the gradient light in the back you are beginning to lose the top of her head into the drop, you still have a little separation but not enough. You mention that you used short lighting, but honestly its so close to flat that I wouldnt have noticed short lighting if you didnt mention it. For business or promotional headshots thats fine, but for a more flattering portrait you might want a bit more difference between key and fill.

yeah i agree... maybe my fill light was a bit strong that it had almost even my key light.. is my speculation right?

Jiggo0109 wrote in post #16387398
yeah i agree... maybe my fill light was a bit strong that it had almost even my key light.. is my speculation right?

If your fill is the same power as your key, then you dont have either key or fill. For short or broad lighthing to work you need the key to be brighter and then use the fill to bring up the shadows to the desired level.

defiantly needs a hair light and the photoshopped background needs work. the right arm has way to sharp an edge. try a radial gradient instead of the one you used. it gives a better impression its naturally lit.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16387403
If your fill is the same power as your key, then you dont have either key or fill. For short or broad lighthing to work you need the key to be brighter and then use the fill to bring up the shadows to the desired level.

thanks... my second speculation is, the space for my set up was only at 10 ft x 8ft, I think, was this a factor too? How will you attain short lighting in this kind of space if it was?

mike_311 wrote in post #16387422
defiantly needs a hair light and the photoshopped background needs work. the right arm has way to sharp an edge. try a radial gradient instead of the one you used. it gives a better impression its naturally lit.

Oh... I missed the right arm to be honest... and about the radial light, it worked... Thanks...

Jiggo0109 wrote in post #16387475
thanks... my second speculation is, the space for my set up was only at 10 ft x 8ft, I think, was this a factor too? How will you attain short lighting in this kind of space if it was?

When using a room that small a lot comes down to the modifiers you are using and the paint on the walls. If you have white walls its nearly impossible to get light to stay where you put it. What I mean is that you get unintended fill from your key light bouncing off every surface and back at the subject, same with the fill to the point where you have little control. If you are using umbrellas its bad, with gridded softboxes you can do okay but its still tough to shoot in that size a room.

I don't know much about the lighting stuff, but you should be able to get a more flattering expression.