Camera settings and ligthing

AM1119 · Sep 25, 2021

Hi there

I have been taking pictures for a website and I have difficulties achieving a calm expression on my photos. I do not know exactly what I am doing wrong but my setup is this.

Camera settings are:
ISO: 100
F/9
Shutterspeed: 1/160

I use an 180 diameter octatbox which is placed right beside me on a 25/30 degree angle to the model. It is placed around 10-12 meters from the model I believe

I shoot with a Nikon D7100 and use a Sigma 30mm wide lens.

Also the lighting I use the is quite strong to lighten up the image.

The picture I have taken is Web2 (myshot) and the picture quality I would like to get is attached as web1 (goal).

Can anyone please give me some advice to how I can improve to get closer to my goal. I know it takes practice and many hours in the studio, but it would be nice to have some advice and things I can try next time I'm in the studio.

All I want is a softer feel to the image and the model and more deep feel or look. Do you have any suggestions to what I can adjust?

Thanks.

My picture

My goal

Brokenland · Sep 25, 2021

Your camera settings seem to be fine, but the light source you're using is not. Are you using a defuser , If not you need to plus use a less powerful lighting setup maybe even less lights. Looks that you have more than 2 or at least they are directed at the subject instead of bouncing off the walls. you want to illuminate the area not flood it which you've done.

FingerPainter · Sep 25, 2021

AM1119 said:
Hi there
I have been taking pictures for a website and I have difficulties achieving a calm expression on my photos.

What do you mean by that?

AM1119 said:
I do not know exactly what I am doing wrong but my setup is this.
Camera settings are:
ISO: 100

Good.

AM1119 said:
F/9

Which such a high f-number? If it is to darken the image, could you turn down the power of your lighting instead?

AM1119 said:
Shutterspeed: 1/160

OK

AM1119 said:
I use an 180 diameter octatbox which is placed right beside me on a 25/30 degree angle to the model. It is placed around 10-12 meters from the model I believe

That distance seems unlikely.

The framing shown is what you'd get with a 30mm lens on a DX camera if the camera was around 2.5m from the subject. If the octobox is "right beside you" then it cannot be 10-12 metres from the subject.

If perchance you have set the power on the light as if it actually was 10-12 metres from the subject, then it is providing much more light than you need.

AM1119 said:
I shoot with a Nikon D7100 and use a Sigma 30mm wide lens.
Also the lighting I use the is quite strong to lighten up the image.
The picture I have taken is Web2 (myshot) and the picture quality I would like to get is attached as web1 (goal).

So what is it in the second image that you would like to achieve and which you feel you are not getting in the first image?

AM1119 said:
Can anyone please give me some advice to how I can improve to get closer to my goal.

I think you'll have to explain your goal better.

AM1119 said:
I know it takes practice and many hours in the studio, but it would be nice to have some advice and things I can try next time I'm in the studio.
All I want is a softer feel to the image and the model and more deep feel or look.

Some of the feeling of extra depth in the second image is due to the differences in cut, colour, and material of the clothes.

What do you know about the equipment, settings and lighting used to take the second image?

AM1119 said:
Do you have any suggestions to what I can adjust?
Thanks.

My picture

When possible when uploading your own images. upload an image that still has the EXIF information intact.

AM1119 said:
My goal

JustUs7 · Sep 25, 2021

Camera settings are fine. Your model is facing the wrong way to achieve your goal.

- okay, sorry. Couldn’t resist.

Klaus dk · Sep 26, 2021

Don't cut off feet.

Move the model further away from the background and light the background separately — but with same colour temperature and type of lights.

It's easier to get good colour reproduction with strobes (flash) than with flourescent or LED lights. LEDs and flourescent lights have spikes and valleys in their spectrum which will cause some colours to be off.

Set white balance manually in camera or in post.

Shoot raw for more editing headroom.

Set the softbox at a 45 degree angle to the shooting direction and 20 to 30 degrees higher than the camera.

Read this article posted by Kelly Cook to your similar question from four months ago. You don't have to do months of practice, but you have to learn and understand the basics.

AM1119 · Sep 26, 2021

FingerPainter said:
Hi there
I have been taking pictures for a website and I have difficulties achieving a calm expression on my photos.

What do you mean by that?

What I like about the second picture (what I would like to achieve) is that the light is much softer, the colors more natural and more clear and the background has a more smooth feel in a way. The picture I have taken seams flat. if that makes sense?

FingerPainter said:
I do not know exactly what I am doing wrong but my setup is this.
Camera settings are:
ISO: 100

Good.

FingerPainter said:
F/9

Which such a high f-number? If it is to darken the image, could you turn down the power of your lighting instead?

Yes, I actually considered that. Turning down the F and also shooting with less power on my one strobe. Would that give me a better result.

FingerPainter said:
Shutterspeed: 1/160

OK

FingerPainter said:
I use an 180 diameter octatbox which is placed right beside me on a 25/30 degree angle to the model. It is placed around 10-12 meters from the model I believe

That distance seems unlikely.

The framing shown is what you'd get with a 30mm lens on a DX camera if the camera was around 2.5m from the subject. If the octobox is "right beside you" then it cannot be 10-12 metres from the subject.

If perchance you have set the power on the light as if it actually was 10-12 metres from the subject, then it is providing much more light than you need.

You are right. My mistake. I took this exact picture around 3-4 meters from the model as I recall it.

FingerPainter said:
I shoot with a Nikon D7100 and use a Sigma 30mm wide lens.
Also the lighting I use the is quite strong to lighten up the image.
The picture I have taken is Web2 (myshot) and the picture quality I would like to get is attached as web1 (goal).

So what is it in the second image that you would like to achieve and which you feel you are not getting in the first image?

As I referred to at the first question. Otherwise I think the pictures speak for themselves. The picture quality I would like to achieve has a softer overall feel. More natural colors.

FingerPainter said:
Can anyone please give me some advice to how I can improve to get closer to my goal.

I think you'll have to explain your goal better.

FingerPainter said:
I know it takes practice and many hours in the studio, but it would be nice to have some advice and things I can try next time I'm in the studio.
All I want is a softer feel to the image and the model and more deep feel or look.

Some of the feeling of extra depth in the second image is due to the differences in cut, colour, and material of the clothes.

Yes, sure. But I also believe the settings and camera plays a role in this as well?

What do you know about the equipment, settings and lighting used to take the second image?

As I have seen they also shoot with one big strobe. Do not know their camera brand, lense or camera setting for these.

Thanks.

lehill · Sep 27, 2021

AM1119 said:
Can anyone please give me some advice to how I can improve to get closer to my goal. I know it takes practice and many hours in the studio, but it would be nice to have some advice and things I can try next time I'm in the studio.
All I want is a softer feel to the image and the model and more deep feel or look. Do you have any suggestions to what I can adjust?
Thanks.

My picture

My goal

The two types of fabric (quilted coat vs top&pants) fall and drape very differently. They are altogether different than the shiny leather coat previously posted.

DPR does have a Studio and Lighting forum that's full of posts from individuals starting out with clothing just like you (example). This post from Sailor Blue could be interesting to you, especially when he talks about using a 2nd small light (like a cheap flash) to emphasize the shape and drape of the fabric.

--
Lance H

Bob · Sep 27, 2021

The pro model is standing well in front of a seemless background. Your model is standing against a white wall and thus casts a shadow and looks amateurish.
The color balance is off. The pro background is neutral grey. Your background has a cool tint to it.
You have light skin model wearing dark clothes. The pro shot has a dark skin model wearing light clothes. Completely different exposures. You really need to lift the shadows of the clothes in post-processing.
The pro model is shown full length. The look is long and slender. You're only showing from the knees up. Makes an already boxy sweater look more boxy.
Overall, you need to think about how to best show that jacket. Your model looks absolutely bored wearing it.

The issue here is not about camera settings and lighting. It's about placement of the model and post processing.

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