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Thread started 21 Mar 2015 (Saturday) 12:26
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First try at studio lighting

 
hoaindao
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Mar 21, 2015 12:26 |  #1

So this is my first attempt of using an indoor studio set up. I've read and watch a lot of posts and videos but yet to try anything out until now. This is my wife after finding out the sex of our baby. I decided to use this opportunity to try out a simple setup to create an announcement photo for our friends/family. Basically, its just one key light left of camera, almost facing my wife with a background light on the right aimed at the background. Also used a white reflector on the back side of my wife, but didn't really notice much difference. My question is, what other lighting can I add to make this better? I know people add kicker light, hair light, but at the moment, I am unsure of where to put them. Any comments is appreciated!

IMAGE: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8720/16253435194_8f911e8066_c.jpg
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qLg7​2h  (external link) The Reveal (external link) by hoaindao (external link), on Flickr

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Alveric
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Mar 21, 2015 13:16 |  #2
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I think it's good as it is. For a first attempt, it's exceptional.


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Left ­ Handed ­ Brisket
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Mar 21, 2015 18:43 |  #3

Yes, it is very good as is.

A tiny bit of a hair light on the back of her head would provide a bit of separation from the background. Generally those kinds of rim light is 45 degrees from the surface you want to light. You might be able to mount something above your backdrop.

As for the reflector, depending on your exact set up, her body might be blocking most of the light that would be hitting the reflector. It needs to be offset a bit (a little closer to the camera) to be out of her shadow, and angled slightly to reflect light on to her left side. Depending on the efficiency of the reflector (silver vs white) it needs to be very close.


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Alveric
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Post edited over 8 years ago by Alveric. (3 edits in all)
     
Mar 21, 2015 19:22 |  #4
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The hair light suggestion is sound if you're intending to print it. With the dynamic range of photo printing being ~6EV her hair would likely melt into the darkest parts of the background. For digital display the hair/rim light is optional, as the spotlight on the background is already doing a nice job at separation.

Experiment away. At worst you already have a winner. At best you can have several versions, all of them winners. :)


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Mar 21, 2015 23:12 |  #5

The main thing that jumps out to me would be more of her front side (from her perspective) could be lit. Having that shadow creeping onto her stomach seems a bit off.


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Mar 23, 2015 01:26 |  #6

Just out of curiosity, what kind of modifier was used for the key light? Is it a strip softbox?


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hoaindao
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Mar 23, 2015 02:08 |  #7

Thank you everyone for the critiques!

Battletone, I see what you mean about the shadow creeping. That's probably due to her standing on on axis with the light in addition to the fabric of her dress.

rkaufman, it was just a 30x40 pcb softbox that i used.


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First try at studio lighting
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