[Dave]

As promised, here are a smaple of some shots taken this weekend with Elinchrom D-Lite 4's. Model is the lovely Katie. Exposure was measured using only the Camera + Histogram.

1st shot is with the typical 2 light setup with softboxes, situated at 45 degrees either side of model :-




2nd shot is with the 2 softboxes brought close together straight in front of model. Taking advice from Les, I place them higher this time to form shadow under chin, plus moved the larger softbox back further to try & even out catch lights.



3rd shot was going for more dramatic lighting with just a single light :-



I'll try & post some more up as I process the shots, but from 1st outing I have to say I am very impressed with the lights

Hopefully some of the other Cheltenham Camera Club members may post up some of their shots from the session

[Dave]

Above was shot using following kit :-

Elinchrom D-Lite 4 - 2 Head kit
Nikon D200
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 lens for shot 1 & 3
Sigma 105mm Macro f/2.8 lens for shot 2


Camera was set to Manual, ISO100, between 1/60 - 1/80 sec, f/8 as starting point. All handheld.

[Charlotte]

Commented in your gallery

[hoffy]

They look very good, she will be impressed with these, you will have fun with them.

[Charlotte]

Should have given my overall opinion, since I do have one

These are very impressive Dave, you are really doing so well with your portraiture. I particularly like the last one, you've captured such emotion here, and the conversion is, of course, excellent; you definitely picked the right image for mono, which serves to emphasize the feeling of the shot (colour would definitely have detracted from this).

It's a big change from your dramatic landscapes/arcitecure, and you've picked up portrait techniques + studio lighting extremely well, and quickly! Clever lad

[P-E]

For once the mono one is my fav

[gsgary]

#3 for me, you caught her beautiful eyes

[Les Meehan]

Dave

#2 shows the improvement in the catchlights, now even size and brightness (see I do know what I'm talking about! ).

#3 is definitely the 'keeper' of these three! Just one minor niggle, the 'fist' hand is too flat to camera. Might I suggest that now you are mastering the lighting bit, ALWAYS pay close attention to hands. Nearly always look better edge on and with fingers in elegant pose. The hands in #2 are better, they are slightly edge on and the fingers at interacting with the hair making the hand connect well with the model.

As an exercise you might want to do a series on just a pair of hands, posing them in various ways to practice what works (rather like artists do lots of sketches of hands for practice).

Question, does this model have a problem with her mouth because on the shots I've seen she always has her lips parted (or seems to have)? Sort of catching flies syndrome.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Les Meehan

Question, does this model have a problem with her mouth because on the shots I've seen she always has her lips parted (or seems to have)? Sort of catching flies syndrome.

Poor girl had been hit in the mouth the day before from a hockey match, so was slightly bruised ...ouch.

Tx for the tips as ever.

[Les Meehan]

Originally Posted by Dave

Poor girl had been hit in the mouth the day before from a hockey match, so was slightly bruised ...ouch.

Tx for the tips as ever.

Ouch indeed! In that case, she did well to have the guts to continue to pose for you image hungry lot! Good for her!

[polka]

Cracking photos Dave, any downsides with the D-Lites? Did it take very long to find the optimum light positions and camera settings or were you getting good results pretty quickly?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by polka

Cracking photos Dave, any downsides with the D-Lites? Did it take very long to find the optimum light positions and camera settings or were you getting good results pretty quickly?

Haven't found any downsides yet & very quick to get used to