Recent modeling work - critic please

[babytarantula]

Hi i would like your critics on those pictures. You can tell me critics all you want, i love it and it helps me a lot!

Also i would have a question regarding what would you buy next if you were me: see i only use a grey seamless paper and i have a flash that helps me get some pink effects (i use a cd case on it ) But it's not strong enough i think
This is my material (ebay hong kong stuff)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...B:EOIBSA:CA:11
My question is: if i want to start getting paid for studio work i need to be more original than that. So what should i buy next?
-Other color seamless paper (even if it's long to install and also 80$ each)
-Different color sheets that i can fix over my seamless paper
-More accesories to play with (faux-fur coat,different type of seats,glasses)
-A stronger flash with different gels to create better backgrounds
I know it depends and i should buy all that but if you were me, what would you buy next?
Thanks

[SteveB]

I still vote for light meter and editing software... after that maybe some lightstands, gels and lights. Maybe some reflectors you still have a long way to go but keep at it!

[babytarantula]

Thanks StevieB, could you please be more specific about why i should use a light meter and editing software.

The reason i ask is because i thought that i fixed my exposure problem (i don't think those are underexposed anymore, are they?). So would it be still important to buy a light meter?

The other reason is that i already have photoshop CS3 and used it on most of those pics. Is there some retouching i should have done?

your comments are really helpful! thanks

[kjtw]

Light meters are, in my opinion, almost as important as the camera itself. Yes, there are times that I don't use mine, but those are very rare. I can't recall a time that I didn't use it when in studio.

As for your progress, I would work on your lighting setups. There are a lot of good tutorials around the web on how to set up your strobes to produce different effects and a lot of them are free. There are also some very good books on lighting.

In the first shot, I think that the model's right side (our left) is exposed well, however, her left side (our right) is dark. Personally, I would place a reflector to her left to bring more light in on that side (a white piece of foam board from Office Depot worked for me once). Also, there isn't much definition in her hair. Another light focused on her hair from above and to the rear (in this case behind to the left of her - our right) would give more highlight to the hair and make her pop out of the shot more. You would have to be careful doing that with this shot, however, in making sure that you don't create a hot spot on the hand that is in her hair.

To sum up, I think the two best investments that you could make right now would be a light meter and a book on different studio lighting setups. As mentioned, the light meter is something that you can't live without when shooting in studio, especially when using strobes. As far as a book on lighting setups, I am constantly looking for new ideas, so I am forever looking at these types of books!

My biggest suggestion is to keep working on your technique. Getting to a point that you have consistant shots takes time. I have been shooting studio for about 5 years and am still learning. I am sure that there are photogs that have been shooting studio for a lot longer than me that will tell you the same!

Here is an example of Ashley using multiple lights (these were hot lights and not strobes, but the theory of lighting remains the same).


You can see the highlight on her hair on her left side (our right) from the hair light that is on that side. This seperates her from the bg and gives her hair more detail.

Those are some of my suggestions...keep working on it...you are going to get there...just practice practice practice!

[kombizz]

like the first image
indeed she has a pair of beautiful eyes

[iamcdn]

For me the photos look a bit flat, I would think that a greater key to fill ratio of say 3:1 would be better and give some depth to the models. also as suggested a hair light or separation light to pull her from the background.

Is it just me or do these images look a bit soft? try an aperture of f8 or so for more DoF

[PhotoDave1]

A light meter is always a good idea and I still never leave home without one but if you are shooting digital the Photo Vision Target is a better way to go. It took me a while to get comfortable with the use of the Target but now that I have it figured it has a permanent home in my gear bag. Good luck!