First Portrait Using 2-580EX II

This is my first attempt. Straight out of the camera, no PP.
One 580EX II on stand into umbrella, camera right, 45 angle. 2nd 580EX II on camera. White reflector camera left.
Should I get the flash above the camera using a bracket?
Hubby only gave me 5 minutes to experiment with him.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Kath

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Very nice! Excellent for your first attempt!

Did you shoot jpeg or raw, and which lens did you use?

Oops! I shot JPEG! Gotta get used to shooting raw and then learning how to process the images. Have only done so a couple of times.
I used the 24-70. Beautiful lens.

sunnybeach wrote in post #5192428
Oops! I shot JPEG! Gotta get used to shooting raw and then learning how to process the images. Have only done so a couple of times.
I used the 24-70. Beautiful lens.

If you can nail the exposure everytime, then shooting jpeg is more advantageous as lot of pros rely on it for faster workflow... I shoot RAW because I don't trust myself with the exposure quite yet....

Thank you for your compliment
I think I will start shooting raw. I have ALOT to learn about exposure!
Kath

sunnybeach wrote in post #5192486
Thank you for your compliment
I think I will start shooting raw. I have ALOT to learn about exposure!
Kath

Look forward to seeing more images of yours....

Any other suggestions?

The ratio of the 2 flashes was 1:4. Would putting it at 1:2 have brought out more light under the hat?

Appreciate all comments, Kath

I can see the shadow lines right under the brim of the hat and above the eyes. It seems annoying to me. Sorry about that.

Maybe if you had a reflector down below in front of him, that would soften the dark shadows?

Disclaimer: I am not an expert at using flashes. I have been browsing the uses of flash topics to see if I should move into using flashes. I'm an outdoors man.

I agree---pretty good at first attempt. Hard to get perfect with the hat he had on......tell ted nugent to take the hat off for one min and try it again.

SYS wrote in post #5192460
If you can nail the exposure everytime, then shooting jpeg is more advantageous as lot of pros rely on it for faster workflow... I shoot RAW because I don't trust myself with the exposure quite yet....

me too, but I am getting better! RAW has saved me a couple of times.

I think the only pros using jpg are the ones under deadline or other tight constraints. Letting the camera process images is not usually a good idea, it has limits beyond not being able to "save" you.

That said, I like the photo. The shadow from the hat is from the camera flash, and seems harsh, but the catch light in the eyes is nice. Raising the camera flash higher would cast that shadow down even more and that would be distractive.A third light from the rear would make the subject stand out from the background.

Again, i like the photo, keep going!

Peace, Curt

Thanks guys.

As far as the reflector. I would put that in front & angle it up towards him? Any suggestion as to how close?

I do have another light for the background but I am trying to work with 2 lights only until I figure out exactly what I'm doing.

I'll try & get one without the hat.

It would depend on how big your reflector is. The larger the surface area of the reflector, the more brightness that would be reflected.

Just do a trial and error until you see that the shadow under the brim of the hat is no longer hiding his skin and hair features.

I would suggest to keep the hat on. It's the point of the portrait...showing an hunter in his apparel.

Really nice clean shot. If you had moved the main light down just a little, you would have lit up his eyes to match the rest of his face.
Cheers
Roy

Maybe have him tip the head backward just an inch? Might not have ruined the effect he wanted, and allowed a bit more light under the brim. And a reflector