[Dave]

Having family around for an Easter meal, makes a great exuse to practise with the Studio lights Here is my Uncle, shot with the smaller light box. had to place quite high to stop reflection in glasses. In hindsight I would have liked to place light more to left, to increase shadows & back a bit to soften intensity.

[Charlotte]

Yes, I think the lighting is too harsh, giving his head a cut-out effect, especially as his clothing is so dark, as is the BG. I definitely think a softer light would've helped to provide more even lighting for a less stark/high-contrast look, and I also think his clothes + the BG both needed a touch of light on them as well.

On the plus side, I like the compo/crop, sharp eyes, skin texture, eye contact + a warm smile.

I think the white frame exacerbates the high-contrast look of the image as a whole, since the BG is pitch black against the white border.

Overall, it's a good portrait, it's just the harsh lighting that spoils it for me.

[Markulous]

Controlled the reflections very wel!

Think I'd like it slightly lighter (dodged would do) on LHS (can barely see line of shoulder which I assume is why you comp'd it that way) and slightly darker on RHS. Nice one tho!

[Dave]

Played with in PS & this is more how I would have liked to have got the lighting

[Summerleft]

I prefer the second one

nice smiley chap

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Summerleft

nice smiley chap

He was just waiting for his Sunday lunch to be cooked

[sawdust]

No prefer the first think it is spot on. all the attention is on the face but as we all know each to there owen.

[skipper954]

Yup, Dave. The second is much better. I like the shadow on the left side of Unc's face and the image is much more interesting. Great job.

skip

[Wannabe]

Beautiful photo! I love the 2nd too..

[Dave]

Thanks for all the comments

Originally Posted by skipper954

The second is much better. I like the shadow on the left side of Unc's face and the image is much more interesting.

Cheers Skip, as that was my thinking. Still relatively new to the lights..... I know what I want to achieve in my head, it's just getting the knowledge / skills to get the result .... analogy of photography I suppose

[Charlotte]

#2 is too dark IMO. I thought somewhere in between would do it, so I had a play ... combined the two versions, with #2 at 30% opacity.

[skipper954]

Well, OK. I like Charlottes the best. You can see the left ear and side of face better, and there is more detail everywhere. I still like the image tint.

Nicely done, Char.

skip