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How can I improve this image?

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pjbailey

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I have just started using my new set of lights and this is one of the first sets of images using the lights and the new backdrop. The camera is also new and I am still struggling with softness as I did with my first camera for awhile, but the lights seem soooooo bright! Any suggestions on how to eliminate the 'shine' on the right side would be greatly appreciated. I thought I was following all the rules, and it still just seems too bright.
Thanks,



pj
'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
 
Is that bouncing off an umbrella...?
is that strobe or hot lights...?
PJ Bailey said:
I have just started using my new set of lights and this is one of
the first sets of images using the lights and the new backdrop.
The camera is also new and I am still struggling with softness as I
did with my first camera for awhile, but the lights seem soooooo
bright! Any suggestions on how to eliminate the 'shine' on the
right side would be greatly appreciated. I thought I was following
all the rules, and it still just seems too bright.
Thanks,



pj
'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
Click to expand...
 
I am using a Starlight 3200 set with a white screen and louvers. No bounce on this one and no strobe. I was trying to use broad lighting and have it fall across her face rather than right at it. The frustration here is that I am going from bouncing light to direct or no bouncing and just not sure what I am doing wrong here.

pj

'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
 
Constant Light is not my thing but i assume this is going through a softbox
like included in their kit with the 3 masks for the front...?
First I would say that the Light is to Close...
Or not in the softbox...
And extremely side lit...
The shadow of her nose is so prominent on the left side....
You are metering your light and not also over exposing...?

You need at least a reflector on the other side to fill in and in gold will warm it.
or black to absorb it.
Try moving the light more to her front and further away...
It looks like it is aimed at her ear.....
If you have the 3 light starlight you might have to jury rig a softener...
shoot thru a white sheet....

but it really looks like you are bare bulbing it,too close,over exposed and too side lit...
now i don't know jack about this....
and i hope someone who does will jump in and correct all my misguidance
but while you are waiting give it a try
Try to get a setting of 1/250 or 1/125 at F5.6 off your meter...
you are on manual...?
PJ Bailey said:
I am using a Starlight 3200 set with a white screen and louvers.
No bounce on this one and no strobe. I was trying to use broad
lighting and have it fall across her face rather than right at it.
The frustration here is that I am going from bouncing light to
direct or no bouncing and just not sure what I am doing wrong here.

pj

'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
Click to expand...
 
shotonmaui said:
PJ Bailey said:
I am using a Starlight 3200 set with a white screen and louvers.
No bounce on this one and no strobe. I was trying to use broad
lighting and have it fall across her face rather than right at it.
The frustration here is that I am going from bouncing light to
direct or no bouncing and just not sure what I am doing wrong here.

pj

'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
At this time I am not on manual. I spent all winter learning as much about lighting as I could, and also about using manual settings for my camera. I bought a new camera a few weeks ago, so I decided to first get a good handle on the new lights, and then attack the new camera and its gadget settings. I do not have a light meter and am forced to wing it.

I am using a soft box, and I did wonder if maybe it was too close [about four feet in this shot] or if maybe I should raise the light higher above her and then shine down.

I spent a lot of time this winter using white styrofoam and boucing light, but was hoping i would be able to use these lights without jerry-rigging and bouncing on styrofoam.

I actually did not think to add a reflector to the left side for fill until after I looked at the images taken. Unfortunately it was then too late.

Should I focus on getting a quick and stable handle on the new camera and where everything is and then focus on the lights, or should I focus on the lights using auto settings and then go manual? It is frustrating after all the work I did this winter to have to practically start all over again! At least I have a better grasp of the concepts now, so that helps.

Do not worry about going on and on and not helping, you have already said several things that have helped, and it sounds like you have a pretty good knowledge base. What type of lighting do you use?

pj

--
'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
 
You are shooting digital...?
You can see the picture after it is shot...?
Set your camera to manual.....

your auto was exposing for the light and it was more than the imagined effect you wanted....
you have a 1000 watt bulb ...?
one correction from earlier.....
the closer the light to the subject the softer it is.
i thought you were on manual and too close earlier and over exposing.
I thought it was a closeness thing but it was not
so keep the light where it is...
if you have your old foam core put it on the left side or add a reflector.
those nice warmpics you see are usually one hot light and a reflector.
and metering.....but your display will work in reverse of pre metering
now try manual F.5.6 and work your shutter from 1/125 to 1/1000
see what looks best...
keep 2 constants, Subject Distance from Lights and F-Stop...
i use white lightnings...
aloha...jp
...PJ Bailey said:
At this time I am not on manual. I spent all winter learning as
much about lighting as I could, and also about using manual
settings for my camera. I bought a new camera a few weeks ago, so
I decided to first get a good handle on the new lights, and then
attack the new camera and its gadget settings. I do not have a
light meter and am forced to wing it.

I am using a soft box, and I did wonder if maybe it was too close
[about four feet in this shot] or if maybe I should raise the light
higher above her and then shine down.

I spent a lot of time this winter using white styrofoam and boucing
light, but was hoping i would be able to use these lights without
jerry-rigging and bouncing on styrofoam.

I actually did not think to add a reflector to the left side for
fill until after I looked at the images taken. Unfortunately it
was then too late.

Should I focus on getting a quick and stable handle on the new
camera and where everything is and then focus on the lights, or
should I focus on the lights using auto settings and then go
manual? It is frustrating after all the work I did this winter to
have to practically start all over again! At least I have a better
grasp of the concepts now, so that helps.

Do not worry about going on and on and not helping, you have
already said several things that have helped, and it sounds like
you have a pretty good knowledge base. What type of lighting do
you use?

pj

--
'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
Click to expand...
 
shotonmaui said:
You are shooting digital...?
Click to expand...
Yes, 5.0 megapixel
shotonmaui said:
You can see the picture after it is shot...?
Click to expand...
Yes, [I could not afford film and developing,...I just take way too many pictures at a time] Digital was the only way I could afford to pursue photography full time.
shotonmaui said:
Set your camera to manual.....
your auto was exposing for the light and it was more than the
imagined effect you wanted....
Click to expand...
even without using a flash? Forced myself to go no flash for indoor shots this winter, and am getting quite used to it.
shotonmaui said:
you have a 1000 watt bulb ...?
Click to expand...
500 watt-- couldnt afford the 1000 watt set.
shotonmaui said:
one correction from earlier.....
the closer the light to the subject the softer it is.
i thought you were on manual and too close earlier and over exposing.
I thought it was a closeness thing but it was not
so keep the light where it is...
if you have your old foam core put it on the left side or add a
reflector.
those nice warmpics you see are usually one hot light and a reflector.
and metering.....but your display will work in reverse of pre metering
now try manual F.5.6 and work your shutter from 1/125 to 1/1000
see what looks best...
keep 2 constants, Subject Distance from Lights and F-Stop...
i use white lightnings...
Click to expand...
Can you tell me what the difference is? I am not familiar with white lightnings. I promise I will quit pestering you. :)
shotonmaui said:
aloha...jp
Click to expand...
aloha...pj

'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
 
PJ Bailey said:
I have just started using my new set of lights and this is one of
the first sets of images using the lights and the new backdrop.
The camera is also new and I am still struggling with softness as I
did with my first camera for awhile, but the lights seem soooooo
bright! Any suggestions on how to eliminate the 'shine' on the
right side would be greatly appreciated. I thought I was following
all the rules, and it still just seems too bright.
Thanks,



pj
'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
Click to expand...
I like the lighting in this shot, but if you where going for soft and warm I don't think you have achieved it.

Have a look at this link, it puts lighting into perspective for me and as a result I find it much easier to understand and work with.
http://www.lumiquest.com/how.htm

By the way, if you're going for warm and soft try using a gold reflectors, one to the left and or infront bouncing light back into her face, they work well and flatter skin tones.

--
Cheers
macue
 
macue said:
PJ Bailey said:
I have just started using my new set of lights and this is one of
the first sets of images using the lights and the new backdrop.
The camera is also new and I am still struggling with softness as I
did with my first camera for awhile, but the lights seem soooooo
bright! Any suggestions on how to eliminate the 'shine' on the
right side would be greatly appreciated. I thought I was following
all the rules, and it still just seems too bright.
Thanks,



pj
'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
Click to expand...
I like the lighting in this shot, but if you where going for soft
and warm I don't think you have achieved it.

Have a look at this link, it puts lighting into perspective for me
and as a result I find it much easier to understand and work with.
http://www.lumiquest.com/how.htm

By the way, if you're going for warm and soft try using a gold
reflectors, one to the left and or infront bouncing light back into
her face, they work well and flatter skin tones.

--
Cheers
macue
Click to expand...
I am constantly reading all I can. It is amazing how much I have learned in the last six months. Thanks to kind people like yourself who pass on info and links and experience. The link is great.
pj
'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
 
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