Nicole

Same lighting setup as Cynthia (posted earlier).

Only edits here is a quite brighten of the background which wasn't quite where I wanted it, and a couple of wee spots removed (which no-one would have noticed anyway, but I couldn't leave them there).

View all photos taken: Sunday, 26th April 2009, This photo: 5:12pm

Next Photo: Matt

Comments

  • James Lagden said:
    I think the lighting looks better for the previous model. Probably down to her skin tone and hair colour.
  • David de Groot said:
    Yeah, Nicole was quite fair, and tall. As it was, I had to stop down further to cut some of the light as she was closer to the main light (being taller).
  • jaclyn_teh2000 said:
    She is so beautiful..
  • -Bennie- said:
    congrats mate.... nice work with the setup... however... to be truthful though, it looks a 'touch' over-exposed to me.. i prefer the skin tones on Cynthia compared to this one..
    hope you don't mind me comments... :-( i hope :-)
  • hari_kr said:
    lovely shot ..........beautiful work
    nicely done ...... my friend
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks
    Hi Bennie! Yeah it's a tough one, she was quite pale, and tall (thus closer to the top umbrella). However, given my monitors are calibrated, and that I've seen the histogram, I'd argue that the exposure is technically correct, but you're probably right about it seeming overexposed. If nothing else, it's another point to learn from - i.e. fair people need less light. ;-)
    Thanks muchly for the feedback.
  • Nicole Pearce Photography said:
    Very nice Dave, you have totally mastered this strobist thing, I really like this, I'm not a fan of lots to shadows, this looks really professional. Oh and after reading the above comments the other shot is great too but I'm seeing this on a calibrated monitor and it looks fine :D
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Nic :) Monitor calibration wins again!
  • teejaybee said:
    i think its the background and her neck throwing ppl off. Very nice - i especially like the shadows youve created with this setup - bright all over doesnt appeal to me
  • notime4jibbajabba said:
    Excellent shot.
  • -Bennie- said:
    Heya Dave...
    Righto.... yes... it is a tough one..... i'm now at work looking at this shot on two different monitors! :-)
    Your absolutely correct when you state that she's fair... and she is.. very.... i'll take back my comment of the shot being over-exposed.. :-) It definitely is a well balanced shot.. however :-) her neck looks white.
    Now, comes my problem... i drop my head down an inch on my work monitor here and suddenly the whiteness goes away.. her skin tones become more evident... if i drop my head further, it goes too far. she starts turning orange...
    bugger :-(
    I'll take back my comment.... totally !!!!!!!!!! sorry dave... pls forgive.. :-( I simply needed to get my head in the right position ! lol!
    It really does show though what an uncalibrated monitor can do to a picture and the challenges that we have as photographers to show our picture as they were naturally taken... Unfortunately with our model here being so pale, the window of 'looking right' on screen becomes quite very very narrow....
    It's literally one inch of vertical space (that is my head going up and down) making your shot look fantastic, to me providing some critical feedback ! :-) I've never had a problem with providing critical feedback if i think it's warranted... last night, i just said what a saw.. which i know you don't mind....
    I suppose one thing this conversation has highlighted is how other people are seeing this shot on their uncalibrated monitors.... hmmmmmmmmm. its a toughie...
    cheers
    Dave.
    ps. BTW: Great Shot... and i agree with Nic.... There are very little shadows here! very professional!
  • mitchell burns said:
    wow, great shot, n sexy model... i love her eyes
  • David de Groot said:
    Yeah you need shadows for definition.
    Thanks :)
    No probs Bennie - LCDs are a bit of pain that way. Yes, I use LCDs at home too, but I sit in the same spot and have set them up just right. Some have better viewing angles to others too.
    Now if everyone had calibrated monitors setup at just the right angle, our job would be soooo much easier. The biggest bonus of calibrated screens though is that you can take your photo to a decent printer, have it printed and it'll look exactly the same (within reason).
    But yes, I'm very open to feedback, positive and negative (esp. negative actually - well constructively so, as it helps one grow as a photographer).
    And would you believe she's just 14 ? (or at least I think that's what I was told).
  • mitchell burns said:
    holly god.. she looks way older i thought 16/17... :).....
  • Jack High said:
    Very professional looking result Dave, definitely a marketable image in my opinion. She has great eyes.
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Jack - yes the eyes are quite blue and very clear. Some of the best eyes I've shot so far really.
  • FrAcTuReD...fOtOs said:
    Great lighting job with these portraits mate. I think I will need to brush up a lot before I start using lighting. Bought a speedlight transmitter the other day and couldn't work the darned thing (could not find the manual of the flash) Didn't have access to a computer yada, yada.
    Craigs1 ended up emailing the manual later that evening and I was so excited about 11.30pm that night when I got it to work - Lame eh!
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Jeff. Yeah, lighting takes a bit of practice to get right. I've not played with the ST-E2 yet, but I've had a peek at them and they look mildly daunting ;-)
  • Rob Ferris || CARJO Photography said:
    Is this from the photos you took for James Lillis? I like the lighting... she has a great smile and lovely eyes.
  • David de Groot said:
    It is indeed Rob.