Test Kung Fu School Portraits - CC needed

I ran a couple of test shots for my Kung Fu School class portraits that we're doing next week. I had some difficulty with the lighting, so I did a little PS on the pics. Let me know your preference on the white vs. black backdrop. CC needed. Thanks in advance.

#1 (yeah, i know his belt is dragging on the ground)

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I like everything about these BUT - these are a litle too static meaning that movement is not being portraied as much as I 'd liked it to be. I kicker light on the last one is needed as well.

I prefer them on black but they really need another lighter to help with separation. My guess is the white background did not work because you needed more light on it as well.

i love #4, great presence!

as for #1 & 2, i find the modern looking shoes, socks, and glasses to be a bit distracting...

Series looks great.

What's the best way to get a kicker on the shots with the black backround? I have an extra stobe and 2 580EX's. Should I come from behind on the same side as main light or from above. How do I expose, I'm concerned about lighing up too much of the background?

#3 and #4 are not too convincing when the person is wearing glasses. Think about all the Kung Fu movies I saw (I'm from Hong Kong, which produces tons of Kung Fu movies in the past few decades). Nobody would wear glasses.

Just put a kicker to the opossite side of your main. It will separate the model.

:p WOW,chinese Kung Fu! My Pride ~

korrektor wrote in post #9017050
I like everything about these BUT - these are a litle too static meaning that movement is not being portraied as much as I 'd liked it to be. I kicker light on the last one is needed as well.

colormaniac wrote in post #9018607
#3 and #4 are not too convincing when the person is wearing glasses. Think about all the Kung Fu movies I saw (I'm from Hong Kong, which produces tons of Kung Fu movies in the past few decades). Nobody would wear glasses.

Good points. These were test photos, so I was more worried about the lighting than anything else. I'll definitely keep this in mind we when I do it for real next week.