People One light at sunset

Xsalfior · 06-27-2011, 11:26 PM

I was practicing some lighting with my buddy. I used one sigma ef-530 dg super on a light stand with a shoot through umbrella shooting at about sunset. I'm really trying really hard to wrap my head around lighting. I did add a lot of structure to the pics which is not everyone's cup of tea but that is what I was going for in my mind. C&C is always welcome.

Last edited by Xsalfior; 10-28-2013 at 09:58 PM.

pop4 · 06-28-2011, 02:48 AM

Did you do a bit of dodging/burning? The halos around the head look quite unnatural and draws away from the photos

Wombat · 06-28-2011, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by pop4

Did you do a bit of dodging/burning? The halos around the head look quite unnatural and draws away from the photos

That was my immediate reaction.

Actually, I like the structures and the general atmosphere you've created. There's a touch of surrealism in the skies, backed up by crisp focus and clean images. Very interesting approach.

I really want to congratulate you on going out with a friend to practise. That shows dedication, passion and willingness to try new things. With that attitude you'll surely gain the improvements you're seeking. Keep on!

Xsalfior · 06-28-2011, 07:02 AM

Arrrggg!! Darn halos will get you every time. Now I think dodge/burn is a photoshop term right? I don't use photoshop (learning curve is a bit steep) but I think the halos are probably caused by me trying to underexpose the sky in Lightroom. I will try to get in tighter to his head and eliminate those. Now if only Pentax would give me a faster flash sync speed I wouldn't have to underexpose the sky in post. Anyway, thanks for your comments guys keep them coming.

D4rknezz · 06-28-2011, 11:54 AM

There is a lot of room for underexposing there : Reduce ISO to 100, increase shutter to 180 and drop aperture to F11

That would darken everything immediately!

smf · 06-28-2011, 12:31 PM

I like the photos, but you might consider:
• cropping the first photo dramatically from the left, to a point near his shoulder.
• cropping the second photo from the left, eliminating the wooden structure in the left background and perhaps continuing to the right, as far as either or both of the fence posts.
• seeing whether you can clone out the antennas in the right background of the first and fourth photos.

Xsalfior · 06-28-2011, 07:11 PM

Great suggestions smf I will try those adjustments later and maybe try reposting the results here. As for underexposing the sky I will definitely move to iso 100 next time and increase the power of my flash. I was trying to use only 1/4 power so I wouldn't have to wait for that recycle time mosquitos were pretty bad. As for increasing my shutter I find that I get a black bar at the bottom of my pics 50% of the time at 1/125 and like 95% of the time at 1/180. I might need to buy me an old Nikon D70s for shooting outdoors.

D4rknezz · 06-29-2011, 06:49 AM

Black Bar?

Are you triggering your flash with a radio trigger? Or...? whats your flash brand? I have a K200D and sync 1/180 just fine....

Xsalfior · 06-29-2011, 07:05 AM

Yes radio triggers the Yongnuo rf602 they don't like going above 1/125, my two flashes are the Pentax af360 and sigma 530 super.

D4rknezz · 06-29-2011, 08:44 AM

Hi,

Here is a thread about modding the YN triggers to sync 1/180 :

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-flashes-lighting-technique/69648-r...ml#post1123488

Not that I recommend you to open up your triggers and soldering inside, but...just to point out that some have gotten it to work.

Also, a cheap solution in your case is to just wirelessly trigger the flashes....

06-27-2011, 11:26 PM	#1
Xsalfior Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 149	One light at sunset Lens: 18-55 kit lens Camera: k200d Photo Location: Calgary, AB ISO: 400 Shutter Speed: 1/125s I was practicing some lighting with my buddy. I used one sigma ef-530 dg super on a light stand with a shoot through umbrella shooting at about sunset. I'm really trying really hard to wrap my head around lighting. I did add a lot of structure to the pics which is not everyone's cup of tea but that is what I was going for in my mind. C&C is always welcome. Last edited by Xsalfior; 10-28-2013 at 09:58 PM.

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06-28-2011, 02:48 AM	#2
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Did you do a bit of dodging/burning? The halos around the head look quite unnatural and draws away from the photos

06-28-2011, 03:27 AM	#3
Wombat Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 901	Originally posted by pop4 Did you do a bit of dodging/burning? The halos around the head look quite unnatural and draws away from the photos That was my immediate reaction. Actually, I like the structures and the general atmosphere you've created. There's a touch of surrealism in the skies, backed up by crisp focus and clean images. Very interesting approach. I really want to congratulate you on going out with a friend to practise. That shows dedication, passion and willingness to try new things. With that attitude you'll surely gain the improvements you're seeking. Keep on!

06-28-2011, 07:02 AM	#4
Xsalfior Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 149 Original Poster	Arrrggg!! Darn halos will get you every time. Now I think dodge/burn is a photoshop term right? I don't use photoshop (learning curve is a bit steep) but I think the halos are probably caused by me trying to underexpose the sky in Lightroom. I will try to get in tighter to his head and eliminate those. Now if only Pentax would give me a faster flash sync speed I wouldn't have to underexpose the sky in post. Anyway, thanks for your comments guys keep them coming.

06-28-2011, 11:54 AM	#5
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196	There is a lot of room for underexposing there : Reduce ISO to 100, increase shutter to 180 and drop aperture to F11 That would darken everything immediately!

06-28-2011, 12:31 PM	#6
smf Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midland, MI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,083	I like the photos, but you might consider: • cropping the first photo dramatically from the left, to a point near his shoulder. • cropping the second photo from the left, eliminating the wooden structure in the left background and perhaps continuing to the right, as far as either or both of the fence posts. • seeing whether you can clone out the antennas in the right background of the first and fourth photos.

06-28-2011, 07:11 PM	#7
Xsalfior Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 149 Original Poster	Great suggestions smf I will try those adjustments later and maybe try reposting the results here. As for underexposing the sky I will definitely move to iso 100 next time and increase the power of my flash. I was trying to use only 1/4 power so I wouldn't have to wait for that recycle time mosquitos were pretty bad. As for increasing my shutter I find that I get a black bar at the bottom of my pics 50% of the time at 1/125 and like 95% of the time at 1/180. I might need to buy me an old Nikon D70s for shooting outdoors.

06-29-2011, 06:49 AM	#8
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196	Black Bar? Are you triggering your flash with a radio trigger? Or...? whats your flash brand? I have a K200D and sync 1/180 just fine....

06-29-2011, 07:05 AM	#9
Xsalfior Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 149 Original Poster	Yes radio triggers the Yongnuo rf602 they don't like going above 1/125, my two flashes are the Pentax af360 and sigma 530 super.

06-29-2011, 08:44 AM	#10
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196	Hi, Here is a thread about modding the YN triggers to sync 1/180 : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-flashes-lighting-technique/69648-r...ml#post1123488 Not that I recommend you to open up your triggers and soldering inside, but...just to point out that some have gotten it to work. Also, a cheap solution in your case is to just wirelessly trigger the flashes....