First Studio Portraits

These are two of my first attempts at studio photography. Constructive c&c welcome and needed.

Shot RAW with a 20D, ef50mm f/1.4 USM. at approx. 10 ft distance. I used a Kaiser continuous light system. Very minor post processing ( clarify at 5.0 strength), and warming the colors slightly, because I don't know much about it and didn't want to over do it.

On photo #1 I used one umbrella with 400 watts approx. 4.5 ft. to left front of subject, a single barn door 150 watt approx. 6 ft. from subjects right front and a 150 watt backlight. It looks as though the barndoor may have been too much as her forehead seems to be washed out??? Maybe I needed to close the doors a bit?? Also, maybe I didn't have the backlight positioned right. However, I tend to like the highlight at her shoulders. Just my opinion!!

Photo #2 I used the same setup, but the backlight was pointed at a more upward angle.

Models are my daughter and new granddaughter. Say what you want about the photographers inabilities, but the models are off limits!!

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Cute models. These both look overexposed.

Both are overexposed.... nice pics other than that

Hi, great first attempt!

My suggestions would be with the first shot, not to face the person sitting straight foward facing you, but to one side a bit to give a better angle ...and yes it is overexposed. The are various ways to avoid this, being moving the lights, lowering them or adjusting your shuuter speed or aperture. If you don't have a light meter then just by simply playing back your photo you can closely tell if the picture will come out over exposed, adjust if necessary. If you can read histograms, then thats another way to tell.

For the second one I would crop it more and do a little PS to adjust lighting. (if you put your Image Editing OK option up, I will show you what I mean)

BTW, That baby is soooo cute!!!! Congrats on your new granddaughter!

Yes work on exposure.

Thanks to all of you. It's unanimous!! Overexposure!! I'll be sure to check my aperture and shutter speed next time around. And thank you Nathalie for the advice on postion of subjects. This is exactly the kind of critique I need. It's much appreciated. Thanks for the compliments about my granddaughter. She's a keeper!!