lighting critique

From a standpoint of lighting on this image what can I do different to improve. I only have one flash and one octobox.

You can move it a tad bit higher so the catchlight isnt as full of a circle, but thats just a personal choice. The hotspots are good, is this sooc or edited? You pretty much got it, not much else can be done with 1 light and a fuzzy man :P

This is straight out of camera except for converting to jpg. Its a bit blurry because that's me and I use myself with the timer to practice.

Get a large sheet of white foamcore and you have now two lights.

His face appears to be out of focus. That would be one place to make a big improvement.

ijohnson wrote in post #16739895
His face appears to be out of focus. That would be one place to make a big improvement.

I knew I would be out of focus hence the "From a standpoint of lighting"
quote in my original post. What do you think about the lighting? Looking for constructive criticism.

It's good loop lighting, although, as mentioned above, get the light up just a little so that the nose shadow isn't horizontal and the catch light is a little higher.
It's a bit hot, I'd pull it down 1/3 stop
have the subject turn just a tad camera left, then move the light to maintain the current modeling (also move the light a tad more camera left).
a kicker camera right behind subject would be nice if there was more room to the BG
Keep at it.

mdaddyrabbit wrote in post #16739923
I knew I would be out of focus hence the "From a standpoint of lighting"
quote in my original post. What do you think about the lighting? Looking for constructive criticism.

It's harder to be constructive about lighting on a face when the face is out of focus. The lighting on his shirt is great!

ijohnson wrote in post #16740180
It's harder to be constructive about lighting on a face when the face is out of focus. The lighting on his shirt is great!

I practice every night of life so lots of times I don't have anyone to pose for me so I set the timer and model for myself. This is why I have issues being blurry at times.

I work with what I have. Really hate to make my camera look at such a bad looking fellow.....

Oh stop it bucko you're a good lookin guy. And self-timer is no excuse for missing focus or blur issues, UP your shutter speed, UP your aperture, UP your light power, problem solved. Sit something on the chair to pre-focus before hand if necessary. No excuses!

I look like a wilted fart!

I know the feeling.. When I can Practice everybody's asleep Its hard to capture the right light on our family dog, I think a sheet or Foam board on your left something to bounce and accent the octobox

mdaddyrabbit wrote in post #16740226
I look like a wilted fart!

Not true, did you know smiling with your eyes can make you appear younger? Go back out there and give us another shot! In focus this time, a little less heat on the hotspot.

mdaddyrabbit wrote in post #16740193
I practice every night of life so lots of times I don't have anyone to pose for me so I set the timer and model for myself. This is why I have issues being blurry at times.

I work with what I have. Really hate to make my camera look at such a bad looking fellow.....

Heh, I hear you. You're more courageous than I: I wouldn't dare post a pic of myself.

Alveric wrote in post #16740363
Heh, I hear you. You're more courageous than I: I wouldn't dare post a pic of myself.

I have never liked being photographed but I am sick and tired of not understanding how to light a subject. I can't have someone posing for me every night at the hours and times I am available for practice. I feel like, I will never get any better if, I don't continue to shoot. I need a model but don't have one so I said how am I going to pull this off? I only have myself so I improvise.

Critiques help me see things that I would not ordinarily see. I knock out two birds with one stone by using myself and asking for a critique; I have a model and also it helps to get over the fear of being photographed or the fear of feeling stupid in front of the camera.

I have had many hobbies in my life and for the most part enjoyed every experience but photography does something to me everyday that none of the other hobbies have never done. It intrigues me, it challenges me, it excites me, it aggravates me but most of all it keeps me coming back wanting more. I am trying to expand and get out of my comfort zone.

There have been times in the past that I have posted work in various different places and instead of getting constructive criticism, I got beat up verbally; I would take noting away from the opinions but disgust. Now when I post, I try to always specify "Constructive Criticism" wanted. Occasionally I still get some people who want to bring me down but for the most part everyone tries to help.

My goal is to become a professional with a business that would some day support me. I have no clue if I will ever get there but I think I would be selling my self short if I didn't try.