Author Topic: First try high key kids portraits (Read 1980 times)

mandrake · « **on:** January 11, 2011, 12:02:01 AM »

Hi,

First pictures submitted for critique!
I recently picked up some studio flash units cheap from gumtree (they are called photolight 115 and I can't find any reference to them anywhere on the net, but hey, they work!). I would love to hear from anyone else that has these lights as I've some questions.
I tried shooting two of my kids at the weekend and got these results, I'm interested to hear what people have to say about these, as they are early attempts and I hope to improve!
Shot with A350 plus Minolta 50mm 1.7 using 2 studio heads a softbox and reflector.

Thanks
Richard

vaughaag · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2011, 12:17:17 AM »

Richard,

They look great. Nice framing and the light looks clean and consistent. My only suggestion would be to perhaps bump up the skin tone in 1, 3 and 4 just a tad.

Ref the lights, are the heads the size of a motorbike battery or just a little bigger and surrounded by big silver reflectors? I remember a guy on another forum talking about some lights by Photolight but I cannot find the thread. I will keep looking, he was after a user manual if I remember correct.

Rgds,
Dave

mandrake · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2011, 07:29:22 AM »

Hi Dave
Thanks for your comments. These are straight out of the camera so I will try your tips re skin tone.

The photolights are bigger than bike batteries. Approx 270 x 130 x 130 mm. They are simple to operate, but what I really want to find out is whether there are any light modifiers that fit them. I have largish softbox and a brolly that fit but I would like to get hold of a snoot. As I understand it most modifiers are either elinchrom or bowens fit but I don't know what the internal diameter is of the fitting for these?
Should I repost these questions in lighting forum?
Thanks
Richard

Clive · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2011, 04:26:43 PM »

No comments on lighting or exposures. Okay...I really like the lighting in the top photo.

What is your focal length? Seems to be set at semi wide angle, especially the last shot. A longer FL would be preferred for "facial perspective." Methinks the FL in the top photo is longer than the bottom one resulting in a more natural face shape. Yes? No? If it is the prime then I am dead wrong.

Clive

vaughaag · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2011, 04:46:59 PM »

Richard,

Allot of the kit out there is for spacific brands but there is also allot out there with universal fittings. You could also try the DIY route. I have two beauty dish's that I made, one using a large mixing bowel and the other from a flower pot trough. I have linked a video below. Youtube is packed with some great guides, as well as the beauty dish's I have made my own ring flash setup using a metal heat lamp.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_4tRIn2TGQ

You could try ebay and or some online / store retailers for the universal modifiers, I have also seen a universal to Bowens S converter on ebay before for relatively little money.

Apart from the basic grid and barn door set most of my softbox's, barndoors, grids etc are universal fit so I can use them on my Gemini 400 set and cheaper ebay slaves.

I have found that the universal kit I have from ebay and other sources such as smick are allot cheaper than 'named / branded' versions and unless your really really picky they perform just as well.

Rgds,
Dave

Stef. · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2011, 05:11:39 PM »

Great work! I think the first one is spot on re lighting. The other ones have a slight shadow over the kids faces but than you might have done this on purpose? With lights I usually start by adding one by one. First of all when you put the kids in front of a white background make sure there is some distance between the kids and the background or the light reflected from the background will spill onto the kids. I usually make sure that the light on the background is one stop above the lights on the kids, this helps to really burn out the background and turn it white. I then usually add the first main light about 45 degress onto the face. I then use either a reflector to fill in the other side or a second light. #3 and 4 could do with a bit more contrast in post-processing. Nevertheless, these a great shots!
Stef.

mandrake · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2011, 07:41:36 PM »

Hi
Thanks for the helpful comments. Clive, your info on focal lengths is interesting. These were all shot on a 50 mm prime (80mm approx on aps-c) and I really like the lens. When I am out and about I shoot the children with a 70 to 300 zoom which gives good results but I am a bit short on space to use this longer lens indoors. I also have a minolta 28 prime but I assume this will make the distortion worse.

Stef I was aiming to fill in the shadow with a reflector and it was a bit hit and miss. I will try filling in next time with a strobe hvl42am and brolly and experiment with that.

I really appreciate the equipment tips from Dave too.

Thanks

Richard

Clive · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2011, 11:11:04 PM »

Richard,

See? I did embarrass myself.

That bottom shot looked like a FL shorter than 50/80mm. With restricted space that's a fine lens.

Perhaps the different angle of his chin and face makes it look like a shorter lens.

The others have commented on lighting..I've no business talking about studio lighting as the others have.

Regards

Clive

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