Some more practice shots of the models (err, kids)

[Paul Lange]

The kids are fairly cheap to bribe and sometimes they pose without complaining and find it fun!

I'm sure about the backgrounds on all of them I should have flashed it but in some ways I like the unevenness. Really I think I need a larger area as I keep running into problems with the light reflecting off the walls and ceiling. Would some black material help with this??

 

[Hamish Gill]

Some great shots Paul, but the last one is the clear winner for me!
It just looks a lot more polished of you know I mean?
But then I prefer low key stuff to lighter stuff, and it is more the direction I would go so I guess I am biased ...?

 

[Pete Askew]

Very ncie series there Paul especially the first and last. I know it's nice to get the background / foreground balance right in camera but, as I'm sure ypou know, you can alway apply a layer and use either curves or levels to blow out / burn in the background and then paint the forground in with a layer mask.

 

[Brian Moore]

They're great shots. Real keepers for the family! I like the two close ups in black and white best. They are lovely shots!

 

[Hamish Gill]

... I answer to your question, yes probably!
I have used black material to stop reflections in the glass of framed paintings before, so I say It's a legit way of controlling light?!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

#1 and #4 for me

#1 - the eyes have it - very nice focus, and great reflection in the eyes to really give the shot life

#4 is just a cheeky pose - very cute

I've used rolls of a black velvet-like material (bought off the local market) to absorb light when doing portraits.

Very effective in tight quarters.

 

[Paul Lange]

Thanks guys, these can do with a bit more work on the background as Pete said but I wanted to get an idea on peoples thoughts about backgrounds and see if there were any allergic reactions to them being uneven. Believe it or not I have enhanced the eyes in some shots (maybe a little too much) but in the ones were the eye's look overly big bright are natural. She just has big bright eyes!

Off on a hunt for some black material next I think.

 

[Pete Askew]

There's some fake back velvet on a plasticy background you can buy for photographic applications that comes on a roll. I can't remember where I bought mine but I'm sure one of the trade members will know. It's perfect for this sort of thing.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

That's the stuff Pete - I used it with this shot, as the backdrop - taken in my living room

It really soaked up the light very effectively.

 

[Paul Lange]

Sounds just the ticket, does anyone know what it is called. I used to have a sheet of plastic that was lined with terry toweling, is it the same as that or does it have more of a velvet / flock lining.

 

[Paul Lange]

Great shot by the way. It's that kind of control over the light that I'm after. The flash guns are good due to the low power and smaller spread but they are limiting. The studio flashes are much bigger but just kick out too much light, even at their lowest power. I get far too much reflecting from the walls and ceiling

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Mine was more velvet material like - not real velvet as I expect that would be a tad pricey!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Great shot by the way. It's that kind of control over the light that I'm after. The flash guns are good due to the low power and smaller spread but they are limiting. The studio flashes are much bigger but just kick out too much light, even at their lowest power. I get far too much reflecting from the walls and ceiling

For that shot I used a single overhead softbox, very close to the model, then a three panel reflector in-front of her and below her face, to bounce light back under the chin and around the sides of the face.

Provides a great deal of control, and a nice final effect.

 

[Kev Pugh]

Love the last shot, I follow Hamish with low key preference, Black is great for pulling light, we always tend to think that reflectors need to be..... well ' reflective' but controlling light involves much more than putting it in.