Ian - first studio light shoot

My new mono lights came Friday and I gave them a whirl Saturday. I have been using window light, this is my first shoot with studio lights. Let me know what you think!

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good job!
what was your set up for lights?

I think the lighting was a bit flat and the pose is definitely out for me. It looks very uncomfortable for baby. *cringe* Keep at it. Newborns are hard work!

i agree about the pose. and yes it does seem a bit flat to me as well.

KimbrEsque wrote in post #11794605
i agree about the pose. and yes it does seem a bit flat to me as well.

I used my new Elinchrom 500's with soft boxes. Still working on my lighting technique. Actually this little guy was my first human subject with the new lights.

I did lighten some of the shadows on the baby's face, maybe that is why it looks flat.

Thanks for the cc!

I"m expecting my first in July, so I'm gearing up for tons of photo ops now It'll be my first time in OCF, so I bought some wireless triggers & will be getting an umbrella shortly too (I've got a 430ex II). I've been learning alot about newborn pics by viewing other peoples threads lately.

Could I learn from your mistake on the flat lighting & ask where you had the soft box positioned? Judging by the lighting & shadows, I think you had it in front of the baby, but just to it's right? maybe 45* to it's right?

For this image, since the OP got some flat lighting, where would a more optimal location be for the lighting to come from? I would think that turning the power down on the light would help as well?

oh...& cute photo too! yeah...posing looks a little awkward for the baby, but it's still cute nonetheless!

Hi John,
Overall your lighting looks good - but this picture doesn't do justice to really giving us a good idea. So... let's see some more pics .

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have not gotten others from the shoot processed, I have been learning how to soften the baby's acne. It is quite prominent and I plan to print a 20x30 for display.

The left picture is the original and the second is with some Photoshopping. I did some healing tool and then gaussian blur. I did not want to make a fake baby face, but tone the red pimples down and smooth the face.

Any comments are welcomed and appreciated!!

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