People Playing in studio

ZoeB · 01-04-2015, 07:24 PM

I was recently visiting a friend who has a small home studio set up. We spent an evening doing an impromptu photo shoot. I don't have any prior experience in studio, but it's something I'd like to learn, so I'm posting a few of my best shots from the session. I'd love to get some feedback on composition and lighting, what I could have done better. We had two constant lights, an umbrella for diffusion, as well as a flash (an AF200 FG with no wire or remote trigger capabilities, so I didn't use it much) and the fairy lights you see in the shots.

IMGP0271

fuent104 · 01-04-2015, 07:30 PM

The second shot is my favorite because it is the most fun.

With studio lighting, i'd recommend pulling your lights farther from your subject. This way, there will be less falloff from the object nearest to the light to the objects farthest from the light. It makes the light feel more "even." It may mean you have to raise your ISO, but I think it is worth it.

Also, images tend to be more striking when you have some dark shadows. Your 4th image has nice darks, and it is the most aesthetically appealing shot to me.

**ROBEFFY** · 01-04-2015, 09:54 PM

Is it easier to get people to pose if they are "playing" with costumes, props, etc?

Shots look candid, nice!

ZoeB · 01-05-2015, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by fuent104

The second shot is my favorite because it is the most fun.

With studio lighting, i'd recommend pulling your lights farther from your subject. This way, there will be less falloff from the object nearest to the light to the objects farthest from the light. It makes the light feel more "even." It may mean you have to raise your ISO, but I think it is worth it.

Also, images tend to be more striking when you have some dark shadows. Your 4th image has nice darks, and it is the most aesthetically appealing shot to me.

The second and fourth shot are my favourites too

The room we were working in was pretty small, so there wasn't really any space to move the lights back, but thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind in the future.

---------- Post added 01-06-2015 at 01:57 AM ----------

Originally posted by ROBEFFY

Is it easier to get people to pose if they are "playing" with costumes, props, etc?

Shots look candid, nice!

Thanks! I think it is, yeah. The girl in most pictures is a really great model though, she's incredibly comfortable in front of the camera

ChristianRock · 01-20-2015, 01:29 PM

I also like 2 and 4 the best. And I would get rid of 5 and 6 - the light is not very flattering for the model.

01-04-2015, 07:24 PM	#1
ZoeB Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tromsø, Norway Posts: 886	Playing in studio Lens: Pentax DA 35mm f2.4 L Camera: Pentax K-3 Photo Location: Richmond, VT ISO: 200 I was recently visiting a friend who has a small home studio set up. We spent an evening doing an impromptu photo shoot. I don't have any prior experience in studio, but it's something I'd like to learn, so I'm posting a few of my best shots from the session. I'd love to get some feedback on composition and lighting, what I could have done better. We had two constant lights, an umbrella for diffusion, as well as a flash (an AF200 FG with no wire or remote trigger capabilities, so I didn't use it much) and the fairy lights you see in the shots. IMGP0271

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01-04-2015, 07:30 PM	#2
fuent104 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,356	The second shot is my favorite because it is the most fun. With studio lighting, i'd recommend pulling your lights farther from your subject. This way, there will be less falloff from the object nearest to the light to the objects farthest from the light. It makes the light feel more "even." It may mean you have to raise your ISO, but I think it is worth it. Also, images tend to be more striking when you have some dark shadows. Your 4th image has nice darks, and it is the most aesthetically appealing shot to me.

01-04-2015, 09:54 PM	#3
ROBEFFY Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 248	Is it easier to get people to pose if they are "playing" with costumes, props, etc? Shots look candid, nice!

01-05-2015, 05:53 PM	#4
ZoeB Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tromsø, Norway Posts: 886 Original Poster	Originally posted by fuent104 The second shot is my favorite because it is the most fun. With studio lighting, i'd recommend pulling your lights farther from your subject. This way, there will be less falloff from the object nearest to the light to the objects farthest from the light. It makes the light feel more "even." It may mean you have to raise your ISO, but I think it is worth it. Also, images tend to be more striking when you have some dark shadows. Your 4th image has nice darks, and it is the most aesthetically appealing shot to me. The second and fourth shot are my favourites too The room we were working in was pretty small, so there wasn't really any space to move the lights back, but thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind in the future. ---------- Post added 01-06-2015 at 01:57 AM ---------- Originally posted by ROBEFFY Is it easier to get people to pose if they are "playing" with costumes, props, etc? Shots look candid, nice! Thanks! I think it is, yeah. The girl in most pictures is a really great model though, she's incredibly comfortable in front of the camera

01-20-2015, 01:29 PM	#5
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	I also like 2 and 4 the best. And I would get rid of 5 and 6 - the light is not very flattering for the model.