Lighting Question

Does this lighting work? The source is overhead wall mounted rack of bulbs and mirrors. The original was shot on 4x5 10 years ago and I am coming back to this image to see if there is a better way to light this subject.

Thanks in advance.

I love the lighting, I think it is beautiful.

This is such a striking photo, I really love it.

Bewitching image and one which is certainly worthy of gallery space. This works so well on many levels and can be interpreted differently many times over. There is an however,that being the portions of hair which are jet black and without detail. These present a conflict within such a tranquil setting. Have they been deliberately enabled subconciously by the author, a mere hint perhaps that hidden behind this facade is something quite contrary.

Yeah the shadows are mucked for sure. This is a fairly old print before I acquired any real PP skills. I think I would have liked to have had a reflector in front of her to lift the light on her face a bit. I sort of went nuts when I saw this image on the ground glass.

So you already know the answer.

poloman wrote in post #11269216
So you already know the answer.

It's more of a hunch than really knowing. I never took lighting. I was hoping someone with some portrait experience would come forward and make a few suggestions. I think the only thing that really saves this is the overhead light reflecting off the mirror.

One advantage of being a professional photographer is that we (at least I) see things in a photograph that others simply do not see until it is pointed out. The # 1 main rule in portraiture is to light what you want the viewer to see, and don't light what you don't want the viewer to see. In the above image I'm guessing you wanted the viewer to see her face first, but unfortunately the first thing we see are her shoulders because the shoulders are the brightest thing in the entire image. That brings us to rule # 2, the eye is attracted first to either the brightest area or object in the image or the area or object with the most contrast between it and the background.

Benji

Well stated Benji ... next question for this audience ... in terms of percentage where do you spend most of your time viewing this image:

shoulder light
OOF face on left
reflected face on right
the flower and silk wrap

thanks

Shoulder light whether I want to or not.

Fortunately her shoulder is connected to her torso and her head. I wish I had more time and experience back then.

Some interesting comments and sorry I can't add to them, other than to say I really like the image. Regarding your last question, I spend most time alternating between the two 'faces' and not the shoulder.