Critique Lighting

Minus the mild lens flare (I like it in this one), how can I improve my lighting?

Please comment on lighting, not the pose.

Thanks!

Nothing?...

What don't you like about the lighting? It looks fine to me. If you wanted more of a dramatic look you can always lose the modifier on the key light and go with a hard light.

jcolman wrote in post #18540743
What don't you like about the lighting? It looks fine to me. If you wanted more of a dramatic look you can always lose the modifier on the key light and go with a hard light.

I didn't say it's bad, but there's usually room for improvement.

icor1031 wrote in post #18540789
I didn't say it's bad, but there's usually room for improvement.

Well it all depends on what you wanted the final result to look like. If this "look" is what you wanted, you nailed it. If you want to try something different, next time go with a smaller modifier on your key light and see if you like the results.

jcolman wrote in post #18540794
Well it all depends on what you wanted the final result to look like. If this "look" is what you wanted, you nailed it. If you want to try something different, next time go with a smaller modifier on your key light and see if you like the results.

Mostly I wondered if anyone would tell me to move my hair light, modify my kicker, add another light somewhere, etc.

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I've been using a 4ft shoot-through umbrella, but this one is basically a 6ft softbox.
I'm torn on which I like more, for head shots. I imagine most clients would prefer this one, and this one is easier to work with.

I think the overall lighting is excellent, the only thing I would find fault with is the shiny highlights on her fingers.

I like impressive statement in the watermark. Due to this I don't feel confident to say anything not overwhelmly positive about this picture.

Ramon-uk wrote in post #18541193
...the only thing I would find fault with is the shiny highlights on her fingers.

Really the only critique I could see as well; overall, the lighting is quite well done with a pleasing result.

Nice photo. I really like the lighting.

icor1031 wrote in post #18540420
Minus the mild lens flare (I like it in this one), how can I improve my lighting?

Please comment on lighting, not the pose.

Thanks!

Hosted photo: posted by icor1031 in
./showthread.php?p=185​40420&i=i256914989
forum: Critique Corner

Overall the lighting looks really good. The colours look clean and natural.

Personal Opinion here:
I would have placed the hair light pointing downwards and diagonally from above towards HER left shoulder(with a snoot & grid) just to get the richness from her natural hair colour.
I would turn the background light fractionally down 1/3 or 1/2 stop. And, I would direct this same light more towards the background to reduce the highlights.
Your model has tremendous hair that I would prefer to see more of and clearly.
(In a nutshell: I would have swapped the lighting emphasis from the rear of her hair/head and more to the front)

Cham_001 wrote in post #18544406
Overall the lighting looks really good. The colours look clean and natural.

Personal Opinion here:
I would have placed the hair light pointing downwards and diagonally from above towards HER left shoulder(with a snoot & grid) just to get the richness from her natural hair colour.
I would turn the background light fractionally down 1/3 or 1/2 stop. And, I would direct this same light more towards the background to reduce the highlights.
Your model has tremendous hair that I would prefer to see more of and clearly.
(In a nutshell: I would have swapped the lighting emphasis from the rear of her hair/head and more to the front)

Direct the background light more toward the background?...

Also, you're saying to place the hair light in front of her, instead of behind?

icor1031 wrote in post #18546387
Direct the background light more toward the background?...

Also, you're saying to place the hair light in front of her, instead of behind?

1.> yes, lessen the highlights at the rear of her head/hair
2.> try and get the light to 'run-off' her hair "camera-right" so that this main-body-of-hair is illuminated and thus appreciated!
to do this, if you have a snoot and grid available, you will see the magic happen!
Try and add a modifier to a light source positioned camera-right at a height of 7'+ pointing down towards her left-side

For me, your original photo was more than good enough!
It is just my preference to illuminate the main body of hair always.
a.) you capture the shape of the head better
b.) the hair is a significant part of the overall portrait and should be prominent
c.) the model has really lush hair that should be exposed a bit more

I really like this lighting a lot. . I wouldn't want to change it at all.

It is very nice and even, which works great with this kind of background.

Very nicely done.


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I didn't find any lighting missing. It's good overall.