First (and probably last!) studio session

[GaryB]

Hello - my name is Gary, and I am a Wildlife Photographer, so I have no idea how I ended up in a studio :crazy:

Actually one of our camera club members is a pro portrait photographer, so he spent us a morning teaching us about lighting and a bit about posing, and then one by one we were thrown into the studio with a model.

Fortunately Laura (the model) knows a bit more about studio work than I do, so between us we came up with a few shots

I have to say I have little idea how to process shots of people so these have had my standard treatment (which is not very much). Anyway whilst realising I am not destined to be the next David Bailey, I am quite pleased with the results - here are a couple. I will be interested to hear what you think - I have fairly thick skin and Simon the pro has already told me how bad they are, so bring on the full works!

[fujifilmnut]

Gary,

What are you upset about? These are nice shots and look great for your first effort.

[Melody]

Ok well since you asked for opinions anyway....and granted I am no expert...however it's an opinion..

You did very well on your first attempt a heck of a lot better then I did, I was muttering around figuring out how to even unpack and turn on the lights and get them exposed right.

Now I have a question for this PRO and this 'model' why on earth did they set up a highkey backdrop/ground and then have her in RED and Black? Hello?? Uh not exactly something you'd do for highkey... I also love models who can't even brush their hair, and you would think if she is a model she'd have a clue about posing and make the shots a bit easier for you.

Melody

[GaryB]

Thanks Jim - I actually quite happy with these, but I am sure I can do better.

Thanks Melody. I have to admit that I chose the backdrop and clothes :confused: Also I set the basic poses - it seemed a waste of the learning oportunity to let Laura do it for me, although she did help!

What colours do/don't work for highkey? I had rejected a white top on the basis that white would probably merge in. What colour backdrop would work with red/black? (I told you I have no idea!)

[Igor]

Gary, I agree with Melody and Jim. You did a good job for a first timer.

Technically my only critique would be the uneven lighting of the white BG. As you can see the lefthand side is much more bright than the right one, which turns to be gray by the edge... You could either put a second strobe at the right to light up this section (stopped down a bit of course) or remove that gray shade in PS.

Otherwise, great job! :) now you can go back to birds :lol: :cheers:

[GaryB]

Thanks Igor!

Is there an easy way in PS to even out the background without destroying the shadows?

[Igor]

Gary, I'm no PS expert, but the easiest way to me seems GRADIENT tool.
Use white color and approx. 20-30% opcity in NORMAL or LUMINOCITY mode.
Take a couple of passes from right picture edge to ladie's face. Then restore model's detail and shadows (partially) with a history brush set to low opacity.

Maybe PS experts will suggest other ways :)

My attampt is below your original.

[GaryB]

Thanks Igor, that is much better - I will have to have a play.....

[easternherp]

Well done Gary on your first portrait session.

Portraits get better the more you do. Keep at it.

[GaryB]

Thanks Andrew!

[Marytp]

Hi Gary,

Hi Gary, I'm no expert as I am only just starting out in portraits and studio work myself, but I think these are great for a first attempt. Dont give up now. :)

Maz

[GaryB]

Thanks Maz!

[GaryB]

Gary, I agree with Melody and Jim. You did a good job for a first timer.

Technically my only critique would be the uneven lighting of the white BG. As you can see the lefthand side is much more bright than the right one, which turns to be gray by the edge... You could either put a second strobe at the right to light up this section (stopped down a bit of course) or remove that gray shade in PS.

Otherwise, great job! :) now you can go back to birds :lol: :cheers:

I found a way to sort the background out in PS. On a layer I used the extract filter to separate Laura and the shadows form the BH, then on a separate layer I used the replace colour tool to replace the greyer tones with white. Finally just flatten the layers.......

[Igor]

Sounds good :righton: