Another selfie ... my first though

[MickT]

Hey guys, no where near as adventurous as Brad or Tatts, but I decided to have a go at a selfie earlier tonight. I know the focus is a off a bit (stuffed if I could get that right), but more interested in your thoughts on the lighting.

Nothing special, main light off to the side (camera left) and another behind me (camera right). The main light had a shoot through umbrella fitted. For rim light, in the B&W shot I had a snoot (also known as my beer cooler) fitted and in the other i used a second shoot through umbrella. Very little in the way of PP, just white balance and a bit of levels.

I'm reasonably happy, but really keen for some feed back so fire away and I'll head back downstairs tomorrow night to put your suggestions into practice.

Cheers

m

[Tatts]

Good work Mick. Good to see a few more brave (possibly stupid) enough to take a Self Portrait

For me the second one is the pick of the two, you are looking too far away from the camera almost as if you are distracted. The second one you are looking just out of frame and it works really well. The bright strip across your jumper is a bit distracting, especially in the B&W cos it really stands out.

I'm no lighting expert, far from it, so take my comments with a grain of salt. I like the lighting in the B&W with the snoot off to the side although i think it is probably a touch bright. It is also quite hard so creates a strong shadow line down your left (camera right) cheek. The light from the umbrella is great, you've nailed it, no need to change/move that one. Do you have a second umbrella you could place over the second flash (camera right) to soften it a bit?
I'm not sure if it would work but could you put the snoot on the flash and then shoot through an umbrella to soften it a bit, or does that just remove the whole idea of the snoot cos the light source would become too broad?

I think the snoot does a great job, really brings out some interest in that side of your head. If you don't have another umbrella then maybe a few stops lower would be enough to add that highlight but not overpower it too much.

Look forward to the next one Mick

[aslan]

Really good effort Mick. The right hand light is just a tad too hot and the shadow from your ear lobe is fairly long so maybe bring the light forward a few degrees.
When I'm shooting a model and I dont want her looking at the lens I tend to get her/him too look at my outstretched hand, so maybe 700mm/800mm away from camera. It seems to be a good angle.
I can only echo Tatts comments about the horizontal strip on the jersey.

[MickT]

Good work Mick. Good to see a few more brave (possibly stupid) enough to take a Self Portrait

For me the second one is the pick of the two, you are looking too far away from the camera almost as if you are distracted. The second one you are looking just out of frame and it works really well. The bright strip across your jumper is a bit distracting, especially in the B&W cos it really stands out.

I'm no lighting expert, far from it, so take my comments with a grain of salt. I like the lighting in the B&W with the snoot off to the side although i think it is probably a touch bright. It is also quite hard so creates a strong shadow line down your left (camera right) cheek. The light from the umbrella is great, you've nailed it, no need to change/move that one. Do you have a second umbrella you could place over the second flash (camera right) to soften it a bit?
I'm not sure if it would work but could you put the snoot on the flash and then shoot through an umbrella to soften it a bit, or does that just remove the whole idea of the snoot cos the light source would become too broad?

I think the snoot does a great job, really brings out some interest in that side of your head. If you don't have another umbrella then maybe a few stops lower would be enough to add that highlight but not overpower it too much.

Look forward to the next one Mick

Thanks Tatts. Big day at work and was not up to it tonight but will take on board your suggestions. I'll have another go soon and post up something else. I have a few umbrellas, soft boxes and stuff to play with. Thats been my problem, so many bits and pieces and so little time to play around with them

Really good effort Mick. The right hand light is just a tad too hot and the shadow from your ear lobe is fairly long so maybe bring the light forward a few degrees.
When I'm shooting a model and I dont want her looking at the lens I tend to get her/him too look at my outstretched hand, so maybe 700mm/800mm away from camera. It seems to be a good angle.
I can only echo Tatts comments about the horizontal strip on the jersey.

Cheers Andrew, i was hoping you would have something to say. Both flashes were on manual so I'll have a bit of a play with them and drop them back a bit. Would moving them further away help as well?

The shirt was just something I was wearing at the time. I was actually cleaning up the room that I use as a studio (so to speak) and got bored, but i do take both comments on board and might shop the strips out.

[aslan]

Moving the rim flash forward and further away will work nicely - I'd almost have it at 90 degrees to the camera. Worth a try IMHO.

[MickT]

Moving the rim flash forward and further away will work nicely - I'd almost have it at 90 degrees to the camera. Worth a try IMHO.

Thanks, I'll it a go (hopefully) tomorrow night

[Tatts]

Look forward to seeing the result Mick

[Tatts]

Did you ever go back and try this again Mick?

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I know everyone says follow the light but it just doesn't look natural to me for a bloke to look up and off like that. I think if you were a dreamy eyed young lady perhaps the cliched pose would work better. Can you think up a variant that suits your personality more?

[MickT]

Another selfie ... my first though

Did you ever go back and try this again Mick?

Hey Tatts. No, have not gone back downstairs for ages. Been so dram busy travelling at work I have not had much time for anything. Hopefully that will change soon ...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[MickT]

Another selfie ... my first though

I know everyone says follow the light but it just doesn't look natural to me for a bloke to look up and off like that. I think if you were a dreamy eyed young lady perhaps the cliched pose would work better. Can you think up a variant that suits your personality more?

Hey DPR. I was more thinking of the lighting than the pose, but agree that I could find a better one. Will definitely consider that when I get back down there ...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Tatts]

Hey Tatts. No, have not gone back downstairs for ages. Been so dram busy travelling at work I have not had much time for anything.

It's a bit annoying how work always seems to do that. Why can't they just pay you to stay home and take photos. lol