Donovan, I didn't at all mean to sound like I was insulting anyone.

I think people are just mistaken on why they are seeing an improvement in the lighting when they move the light back. I don't mean to sit here and sound like a know-it-all.

You definately have very valuable experience to share with everyone regarding photography. Sorry for hijacking your thread. :(

what do you suggest for shooting in nightclubs/mardi gras ect?

Would have been a better image without the shadows IMHO

:)

Ivy

A good flash

when you first started up in the industry did you find it hard to offload your content?

Whats the best way to get the right skin tone without getting too hot on close ups?

Do you bounce your on camera flash off the ceilings? I have been getting great skin tone results by doing this, as long as the ceiling is white. I can dial down the flash and use a difusion for the camera flash to shoot direct to subject, but models tend to close their eyes more. Any advice is appreciated:glugglug

I just picked up one of these radio transmitters...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...VIClosedWinner

I still haven't recieved it though so I can't tell you if I'm happy w/ it yet. Do you think it's any good?

Thank you for posting this topic. This will help.

I personally dislike that picture quite a bit. looks flat to me.

Take a flashlight, hold it 6" away from a
peice of paper. Now move it back 18".

Seems obvious to me.


Of course, I mostly do 3D graphics with radiosity, which tends to be a bit different then traditional photography, mainly much much harder to get lighting done 'correctly'.

I see a transmitter... but what about a receiver?

Monica,

Dean and I are correct. Sorry. Just read Dean's explanation. If you don't believe it, print it out and take it to your local Junior College photography department and let a professor explain it to you.

the distance from the light source (and size of the light source) will effect contrast.

most skin will look best with fairly soft contrast, this reduces skin imperfections---to make the skin look best this usually requires a large bounced light source like a light bank, or very big umbrellas, (or the sun). the closer the light source is to the model the lower the contrast, modeling the light on the figure (small shadowing to simulate natural light) is necessary to give the girl a beautiful look, this is usually done with a "main" light, and a secondary or "fill" light.

with digital this is easy, adjust your lights, and look at the camera LCD, or shoot directly into the laptop with firewire, and check the lighting on a 17in screen.

killing background shadows is usually done with a small w/s strobe placed directly behind the model, sometimes with a color filter should you want a different colored background, but want to keep the model's skin tone the correct WB.

usually the photgrapher will have the model hold a standard color chart and do a manual white balance every time lights are moved or the lens is changed (some lenses will introduce subtle tints), then the images can be correctly balanced for sRGB in PS.

but the best tool any photographer has is his mind, and a good model. interesting images rarely just happen, they are imagined in someone's mind first, written on a notepad, then created on the set.

You're welcome to, if you're a customer, to turn up here anytime. Just give me some notice.

But it's also about creating something that makes the viewer think along the lines you want him to.

From, that looks nice and I would like to buy it, to our end where the thoughts should be "I can join in"

Thanks Dean, will take a look at it. I think Tim of Timi Photo uses it and will also ask him.

Built in slave.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/l...ges/129713.jpg

It came in the mail today. It works. It's setting off my flash heads. I got it on Ebay for $30. They are selling more of them for those who are interested.