The Lovely Ms. Gina

[harryd]

I ask Mrs. Gina if she would come and model for me and let me practice with my lights. She is the wife of one of my firefighter friends. C&C always appreciated, it helps me learn to do it better.

[Mr. Pickles]

I would say I like the 2nd one better than the 1st. I really like the face in the first one, but since there is no (virtually no?) difference between the background and her sweater (shoulders, body, etc) it looks like a floating head...and the head tilt might be bothersome to some too.

[harryd]

Thanks Mr. Pickles, I am not sure what I did wrong but the converted one for the web is really dark compared to the original. I hope this one looks better.

[Benji]

Harry! These are awesome, absolutely awesome. Great use of your lights, her hair looks really good and the background looks good.

Critique. The black and white image is just about 1/3rd of a stop underexposed, and the color image is about 1/3rd over!

Black sweaters are a photographer's nightmare. They soak up light like an outer space black hole. When I have black clothing I save the image two ways, once with correct exposure for the skin, the other so the black shows lots of detail. Then in Photoshop I stack the darker image (the correct skin one) on top of the lighter one then erase the black to bring back the details. Works wonders.

Ben

[Song4themoon]

Very nice lighting and perfecty sharp. Well done. The black sweater doesnt personally bother me because on my screen I can see the pattern in it which makes it easy to see that its a sweatger. Now other screen might show it a bit dark, I dont know

[k9ofkaos]

I was hoping you'd post some new ones soon. I have to say I like the B/W one better, which is unsual for me. I'm a color guy. I can see some separation between the background and her sweater on my monitor on the second one.

Post some more. I like 'em Harry.

[spuckett]

Good work! I see separation on my monitor with #1, it's my fav. The only thing that bothers me with #2 is her left arm. It's flowing out of the frame and being cut off. Try putting her left arm behind her back and doing a cross camera facial angle. This would short light her.

[JACKCAT]

Looking good harry.

[harryd]

Originally Posted by Benji

Harry! These are awesome, absolutely awesome. Great use of your lights, her hair looks really good and the background looks good.

Critique. The black and white image is just about 1/3rd of a stop underexposed, and the color image is about 1/3rd over!

Black sweaters are a photographer's nightmare. They soak up light like an outer space black hole. When I have black clothing I save the image two ways, once with correct exposure for the skin, the other so the black shows lots of detail. Then in Photoshop I stack the darker image (the correct skin one) on top of the lighter one then erase the black to bring back the details. Works wonders.

Ben

Thanks Benji, I owe a lot of the lighting to you and lots of help from the JZL thread, your a great teacher now if you just need a better student. I will be sure to try the photoshop trick, I am guessing when you say you erase the black on the top layer your talking about a layer mask?

[harryd]

Thanks Song, this forum has really helped me with the learning curve on lighitng.

Mojo, we know you just wanted to see another pretty lady from up North. Thanks for the karma, I will look and see if I can find another I think you would like.

Sally thanks, I see what your talking about. I will be sure to try that next shoot.

Jackcat thanks, I know it is not up to your level but I am trying hard.

[k9ofkaos]

Originally Posted by harryd

Mojo, we know you just wanted to see another pretty lady from up North. Thanks for the karma, I will look and see if I can find another I think you would like.

Hey I never said we had a monopoly on pretty girls down here in the South. But if you watch the beauty contests (Miss America, Miss USA, etc.) it is interesting that ALL the girls, no matter where they're from have nice refined Southern accents. It's always funny to hear Miss New Jersey drawl it out.

My wife can do the best Savannah accent you've ever heard. She always talks about how UGA is bred by the Sonny Siler family in Savannah, Georgia.

[patterfr]

Harryd
I like your style and I like these, the repost shows up better.
I haven't posted a pic in awhile since I've sworn not to until they are as good as the ones posted recently, including yours. Great job!

[harryd]

Your right Mojo, I have a supplier in TN that I call instead of emailing just to hear that sweet southern voice . Maybe I need you to send me your wifes cell number and she can give me my southern fix.

Originally Posted by patterfr

Harryd
I like your style and I like these, the repost shows up better.
I haven't posted a pic in awhile since I've sworn not to until they are as good as the ones posted recently, including yours. Great job!

Thanks for the kind words patterfr. I have a tip for you, if you post your photos you will get great help and it will help you get better faster. Trust me I know, I have been know to stink up the forum from time to time with my photo post . On the bright sideI have learned new things each time that has made the next one better so if you want to get better faster post something and see if if I am not right .

[felix.reichardt]

Harry, good to see yoru work again. I think they are really nice. No reflection iin her glasses and the hair looks fantastic. Sure she will like them. Maybe I would choose another crop on the second one.

[Dratom]

i really like the second posting of the b&w. Nice lighting you have done well on this one. I'm sure she will love it!

[harryd]

Originally Posted by felix.reichardt

Harry, good to see yoru work again. I think they are really nice. No reflection iin her glasses and the hair looks fantastic. Sure she will like them. Maybe I would choose another crop on the second one.

Hi Felix, good to hear from you and thanks for the Karma! Here is another shot with a different crop of #2, is it better? We were trying to duplicate a pose from a photo I had but I did not like the hands.

[harryd]

Thanks Dratom, I will find out after school if she likes them or not. She teaches special education at the elementary school here in town.

[Worm324]

Excellent lighting Harry!! I really like the color versions and the blue BD brings out here eyes nicely

Best,
Jay

[harryd]

Thanks Jay, I really like JZL now that I kind of have it figured out. I saw where you were talking about needing a background light for high key, if you buy an AlienBee be sure to get their LiteMod Unit Mainframe, a grid or two and some gels, they are fun to play with!

[Worm324]

Thanks for the recommendations Harry! You think a B400 will do the job well enough?? Also do you hang yours from the ceiling or use 1 of those stand/ pole things?

I'm looking up the Mainframe unit now

Best,
Jay