Light patterns, OCF on lacation

I have been trying to get my light to give me, Rembrandt, short or broad but all I get is FLAT. And I tried feathering and moving the light.. is it my light source? Could it be too big? Should I feather the light more?

Yes.

Or no.

You've provided almost zero details on your set up or even the location, no way to give a meaningful answer.

Ok, a 600 watt strobe in a large octabox. I always have the sun at their backs. And you can see the catch light that is off to the side but zero shadows

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18673545
Yes.

Or no.

You've provided almost zero details on your set up or even the location, no way to give a meaningful answer.

I have my modifier too close don't I?

You do have some shadows, but with lots of ambient fill they just aren't prominent. I don't think Rembrandt is really what you want in that situation, but for short lighting the light needs to be farther th the subject's right side. When the catchlight is closer to the edge of the iris/white, sometimes distorted by the shape of the eye, that's when you get closer to short.

Backing the modifier up a bit would help, of course you loose powerquick that way.

I prefer harder light when outside. The eye expects it and this kind of soft light often looks a little off. Do you have double diffusion in that box? Ever tried it without the outer diffusion? Ever tried with a grid?

Evertking wrote in post #18673553
I have my modifier too close don't I?

Either that or too large of a modifier.

Remember that the larger the apparent light source the softer the light. You can change the apparent size of the modifier by moving it closer/further away or by actually changing the size of the modifier. If you make the apparently size smaller the shadows will get harsher which should allow you to see more obviously what the light is doing.

I'd recommend trying a smaller softbox/octabox or a beauty dish.

That being said, even though you didn't get exactly what you wanted, you did get a nice portrait.

IMO, that type of lighting is the most flattering for female subjects...