 Jessica R. Mitchell |
Critique....... I posted some pictures a couple of weeks back to get some friendly criticism, and I got a lot of comments about my lighting. So, I've practiced since then, can someone take a look and see if they see any improvement???? Thank You, Jessica
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Samuel Smith |
much better.i'm pretty sure I was the harshest critic.couple of shadows here and there but much improvement.now if you could coax out a few more smiles?that's entirely up to you and the person being photographed for the look intended. sam
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Mark Feldstein |
I didn't see what Sam offered you the last time around, but as far as shadows go, your lighting appears waaay too flat without shadows to help outline areas or provide depth to the shots. This isn't a softbox problem it's a placement problem and how you're using whatever light you have available. If these were straight newspaper photos they'd be ok in that sense, but I suspect they're more than that. Sam's also quiut right in that the expressions these people are conveying for the most part is pissed off. They just don't look like they're either enjoying the experience or that you're getting them annimated sufficiently to get a happy reaction from them. There's nothing wrong with getting someone to go into outright prolonged laughter and getting those shots. Allow me to offer you one bit of photographic wisdom I've learned from experience. When you create a photograph of someone, it may ultimately be the last time that person is ever photographed. Make it count in a way that you think people would want to remember that person. Engage them in conversation, find a common ground, TALK WITH THEM while you work and let them find their own best and most comfortable positions in the set you're working in. Okie dokie?
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Samuel Smith |
mark did'nt see the others I guess so he could'nt see the improvement.and um he's still right. ok,so I went and cropped a photo of my g-daughter that was taken outside. put her in the shade with a little sunlight filtering through.no reflectors,no flash and no make-up. it's a bit soft from the crop and I scanned the photo,but see if it's what kind of light your trying to achieve.it's the first one in my gallery. not bragging,she loves to see herself on the web. not full sun,not full shade. oh well,it's there if you want to look,sam
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Pete H |
Hello Jessica, Not one who is known to be overly diplomatic (LOL) I first have to go with Mark..The lighting is too flat. It is shadows that give a face some depth, not deep dark eye sockets type of shadows..more like a soft shadow of the nose falling just below and perhaps 30 degrees or so. No matter what lighting tech you use, please, get some depth. The other thing I noticed in many of the photos in your gallery is that they are at least 1 stop underexposed. Bring it up by either better metering or some post processing. This will also help the contrast in your pics. Either get close to your subject and spot meter the brightest part of the face (usually the forehead) or try a gray card. Stay out of bright sun..shoot in shade or wait til later in the day..or, early morning. Lastly; always focus on the eyes. All the best, Pete
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Mark Feldstein |
I like the gray card approach myself and although you don't need a hand held meter to use it, I think using an incident meter vs. a built-in center weighted meter is a better way to go. And I agree too that I'm not overly diplomatic...assuming Pete was referring to moi'. [Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk And Sam, I'm impressed. Try experimenting with a bit, and I mean a bit of fill flash to put a little light into the eye sockets which always get into deep shadows cause that's the way we're built I guess. Love the sunset/sunrise shot. Nice. It's a lovely day here. I'm gonna grab a camera and go for a hike with the dogs. Enjoy the rest of the weekend gang.
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Samuel Smith |
awww shucks mark.i meant for jessica to look. actually with my g-kids I let mom and them goof with each other while I go about 40 or 50 feet away and act like i'm having a problem and then when they get distracted,i can shoot away and I don't get all the stupid faces kids make when they think they're being photographed.i know I was over 200mm or maybe a little under,but then you get real smiles.natural,not put on. just sit on the ground,legs crossed,prop your elbows just below the knees for stability and as you slowly breath out,shoot away.but squeeze the shutter button,don't jerk it.or was that my rifle? ok,now if any of you use this technique,please send me $29.95 for each one time use. anyway jessica,ya gotta put them little young ladies at ease.if nothing else,just before you snap the picture,tell them you farted..that's diplomatic isn't it? DOB-9/24/50..thanks for the present mark,sam
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Jessica R. Mitchell |
Sam, the picture that you have is, I think, what I'm going for. You're talking the little shadows on her face right? Not too much but enough to define her face? I hope I'm understanding correctly. These 2 girls are actually my sisters and they like to practice different expressions. The brown headed one looks a little better with more the serious look, while the blonder one has a range of expressions that suite her well. Those aren't all of them, just a couple. If I were outside and it were a little sunny, how would I go about achieving the "few shadows" look? Should I not use reflectors? Isn't the whole purpose of the reflectors to help brighten the focal point of the subject so there aren't any shadows? However, I do see what you are saying with the dept of the face. Thank You, Jessica
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Samuel Smith |
yeah,don't even start before 5pm.little shadows little complimentary light. reflectors?i have never used them.really ain't got a clue.well I guess I have read a lot about them. jessica,i have learned my camera.which lens.shove that baby into aperature priority.pack the right film speed.sun behind you in back of you? now pete said you were underexposing.some digital cameras do.that is their nature. i'd say if you would try the evening shoot,and go from there,and recognize the light,your results will start off better,and from there YOU have to change what it takes to achieve your goal.the angle they are facing compared to which direction the sun is shining. in your own words;not too much but enough to define her face.plus compliment it. and don't forget about a stray ray of light to highlight the hair,even though slightly out of focus,adds to the overall photo. ya just need some practice and a bit more understanding of light and it's effects. doesn't matter how much you paid for your camera,only the operator. let us know,sam
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Pete H |
Actually Mark, I was referring to myself..Heh-Heh I've found diplomacy to not only cloud the issues, but offer a less than satisfactory answer of a nebulous nature at best....Your mileage may vary. LOL All the best, Pete
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