new at lighting

J

john818

Well-known member
hi everyone,i just took some quick head shots of my bro,i am very very new at lighting,and i was using 2 500w work lights and a scoop on top of his head,i would really appreciate it if you guys could give me some criticism,thank you

DSC_2638_W00000.jpg
 
Color is subjective and it depends on the feel of a shot that you want to create.
If you go to Home Depot and buy some 5100 or 5500 cool flo bulbs you can see what that type of light will create. Floresence bulbs are being used alot all over the place along with tungsten. I use both and shoot both video and stills. We have started using the flo lights more often to get more of a sunlight look.

I might have had the light on the right up a little higher but thats just me. The Flo lights produce much less heat and use about a tenth of the electricity.
Good luck.
 
I think the lighting is okay. I would have chose one direction of lighting though, maybe used broad lighting? I don't like the dark hollow eye look. Also, I can see two directions of light and both are a little awkward to me. And that shadow ring around his neck is a little concerning too. I personally do not like to light from below the face either unless I'm going for a spooky effect or something. As a general rule of thumb it is best to light above the subject's face for basic portrait work. As mentioned, it's all personal preference, if you enjoy it that's all that matters.

In a nutshell it look as though you overcomplicated the light. His skin is also pretty burned out. I would cool it down.
 
john818...it goes to show that ya can't please everybody.

I think there can be some improvements of your lighting set up...but I think you have a lot of good things going on there...

For one...I love the right/left side lighting set up. Personally, I would have loved a little more front light but all in all, I think its a pretty good set up.
 
thanks,im going to work on it more,do you guys know where i could get a basic studio light kit thats cheap
 
hi everyone,i just took some more headshot of my brother,this time i add more light to the eyes and 4head,the lighting setup is a little diffrent,if you guys could critisize these photos for my i would be so thankfull

DSC_3721.jpg


DSC_3729.jpg
 
How do you feel personally about this? I think the first pic is a lot better. The point of lighting like this for a headshot is to make a 2 dimensional picture look 3 dimensional. Adding a keylight, backlight and fill helps by showing the roundness of the head and face. You might try losing the 2nd 500w fill and try bouncing light in as a fill. Also, make sure your camera is balanced for the proper color temperature the work lights are putting out. Your pictures look very warm. I did some grading in photoshop and came up with this:

1185386495.jpg



Also, here is one I did. All natural lighting from the window, with a bounce card filling in the side of her face.
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/12042/1185388277.jpg
 
thanks i really like the window picture,did you sharpin my pic it looks much more crisp
 
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I like eye's, shadow and lots of shadow is very cool, but eyes, the Iris and pupils I need to see. The first grab is very good except the dark shaft of shadow, down the middle of the face, prevented me from seeing the eye.

oops im in the wrong forum!
 
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