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Posted: 1/31/2017 4:32:30 AM EDT
Long story short, I was trying out some single light portrait stuff. I know the focus isn't perfect, as I was running the camera off my iphone. As a whole, I think it is decent besides the colors being off. It looks fine in photoshop but warm after it's uploaded, despite calibrating my display two weeks ago.
Only post was noise reduction and color/contrast. I'd have smiled but I just had oral surgery a week ago, so just smirking hurts. 33" silver umbrella from 3' away angled at 45 degrees. Unfortunately, the bulb doesn't put out a ton of light, so my settings were pretty up there. D7200 with 50mm f/1.8 1/250 f/3.5 ISO 1600 
1/250 secondApertureF/3.5Focal Length50 mmISO Speed1600 |
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Posted: 1/31/2017 7:44:13 AM EDT
[#1]
I'd like to see the eyes in focus.
Besides that it's pretty good |
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Posted: 1/31/2017 9:19:07 AM EDT
[#2]
It's ugly.
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Posted: 1/31/2017 11:12:47 AM EDT
[#3]
Almost there! You only need:
Better posing Longer focal length (85mm to 135mm) Smaller aperture (6.3 maybe) Lower ISO Slower shutter speed Closer main light Reflector under your face  
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Posted: 1/31/2017 1:05:18 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Almost there! You only need: Better posing Longer focal length (85mm to 135mm) Smaller aperture (6.3 maybe) Lower ISO Slower shutter speed Closer main light Reflector under your face Is that all?
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Posted: 1/31/2017 2:22:48 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Is that all? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Almost there! You only need: Better posing Longer focal length (85mm to 135mm) Smaller aperture (6.3 maybe) Lower ISO Slower shutter speed Closer main light Reflector under your face Is that all? No, he could slightly squinch his left eye so I don't need to fix it in post ;) |
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Posted: 1/31/2017 3:09:45 PM EDT
[#6]
lighting is too flat for my tastes
go longer with your lens focus on the eyes for most portraits this is a must subject could be better
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Posted: 1/31/2017 4:41:36 PM EDT
[#7]
I agree on the focus. The Nikon WMU app doesn't let you select focus points, or mine was acting weird. Wouldn't let me make any changes short of closing it all down, adjusting the camera, and starting over. For the lens, it's either the 50 or 70-300 though. Don't own a reflector, but it's on my list.
I did okay for my first semi serious posed photo since high school though. There is a reason why I stay behind the lens though.
Oh btw... 
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Posted: 1/31/2017 6:09:25 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I agree on the focus. The Nikon WMU app doesn't let you select focus points, or mine was acting weird. Wouldn't let me make any changes short of closing it all down, adjusting the camera, and starting over. For the lens, it's either the 50 or 70-300 though. Don't own a reflector, but it's on my list. I did okay for my first semi serious posed photo since high school though. There is a reason why I stay behind the lens though.
Oh btw... https://media.giphy.com/media/ZKijCzL5tqOiY/giphy.gif qdslrdashboard is your friend. It allows manual focus. More or less anyway, the auto focus on the camera has to be enabled..but you can focus manually by clicking buttons on the screen. I know it exists for PC and android, not sure if you're an evil apple user. |
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Posted: 1/31/2017 6:29:00 PM EDT
[#9]
Sorry. Wrong place
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Posted: 1/31/2017 6:36:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
qdslrdashboard is your friend. It allows manual focus. More or less anyway, the auto focus on the camera has to be enabled..but you can focus manually by clicking buttons on the screen. I know it exists for PC and android, not sure if you're an evil apple user. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I agree on the focus. The Nikon WMU app doesn't let you select focus points, or mine was acting weird. Wouldn't let me make any changes short of closing it all down, adjusting the camera, and starting over. For the lens, it's either the 50 or 70-300 though. Don't own a reflector, but it's on my list. I did okay for my first semi serious posed photo since high school though. There is a reason why I stay behind the lens though.
Oh btw... https://media.giphy.com/media/ZKijCzL5tqOiY/giphy.gif qdslrdashboard is your friend. It allows manual focus. More or less anyway, the auto focus on the camera has to be enabled..but you can focus manually by clicking buttons on the screen. I know it exists for PC and android, not sure if you're an evil apple user. Huh I'll have to look it up. This was mostly for trying the lighting more than anything. Going to be doing some photo stuff with a friend and wanted to have a few ideas before hand. |
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Posted: 1/31/2017 6:57:17 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I agree on the focus. The Nikon WMU app doesn't let you select focus points, or mine was acting weird. Wouldn't let me make any changes short of closing it all down, adjusting the camera, and starting over. For the lens, it's either the 50 or 70-300 though. Don't own a reflector, but it's on my list. I did okay for my first semi serious posed photo since high school though. There is a reason why I stay behind the lens though.
Oh btw... https://media.giphy.com/media/ZKijCzL5tqOiY/giphy.gif Great price for a good-enough reflector: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-43-inch-Collapsible-Multi-Disc-Reflector/dp/B002ZIMEMW Hold with one of these on top of a light stand: http://www.cheetahstand.com/product-p/rha.htm |
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Posted: 1/31/2017 7:26:01 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Great price for a good-enough reflector: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-43-inch-Collapsible-Multi-Disc-Reflector/dp/B002ZIMEMW Hold with one of these on top of a light stand: http://www.cheetahstand.com/product-p/rha.htm I've got that on my amazon wishlist already. Just have to find the money for it. Juggling selling stuff to fund other stuff since I have no income. 
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Posted: 1/31/2017 8:13:34 PM EDT
[#13]
Were you using a fill flash? If not, What is the super bright catch light low and camera left? I would ditch whatever that is.
Shoot at 105mm and 5.6. Also turn your body square to the light and then turn your head back to the camera. Stretch your neck a bit to get rid of double chin (just extend your face toward the lens). I would personally put the light a bit higher and further to camera right and closer you. It ought to create a more pronounced shadow on the right side (camera left) of your face. This will help shape your face to be more masculine and make you less ugly  .
If you don't have a reflector, just put a white towel or sheet on a table in front of you. You can also stand next to a white wall to get a little fill on the shadow side. |
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Posted: 1/31/2017 10:54:12 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Were you using a fill flash? If not, What is the super bright catch light low and camera left? I would ditch whatever that is. Shoot at 105mm and 5.6. Also turn your body square to the light and then turn your head back to the camera. Stretch your neck a bit to get rid of double chin (just extend your face toward the lens). I would personally put the light a bit higher and further to camera right and closer you. It ought to create a more pronounced shadow on the right side (camera left) of your face. This will help shape your face to be more masculine and make you less ugly .
If you don't have a reflector, just put a white towel or sheet on a table in front of you. You can also stand next to a white wall to get a little fill on the shadow side. Pretty sure there wasn't any flash, but it could have been a reflection or the flash firing. The Nikon WMU app got weird toward the end and started doing weird shit.  There kinda were a lot of reflective surfaces around since this was set up between my entertainment center, couch, computer desk, and bed.
Mostly it was a lighting test so I wasn't worrying about posing too much, but a reflector is on my list when my $40 tax return comes in. I also need a brighter set of bulbs for my lights since I can't afford strobes or monolights at the moment. Trying to DIY the single monolight with softbox method using umbrellas since that's all I have. 
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Posted: 2/2/2017 8:52:49 PM EDT
[#15]
Your ugly mug makes me think we should have a selfie portrait contest. Taking quality portraits is one thing, but adding self-shooting into the mix makes 'em quite hard.
I was a little rough on your work, so I should have to put my selfie out there. How many would be interested in doing this? |
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Posted: 2/2/2017 8:55:04 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Your ugly mug makes me think we should have a selfie portrait contest. Taking quality portraits is one thing, but adding self-shooting into the mix makes 'em quite hard. I was a little rough on your work, so I should have to put my selfie out there. How many would be interested in doing this? I'd play. I'm an ugly fucker though, lol. I also have no studio gear, I'd be using hax.
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Posted: 2/3/2017 2:46:26 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Your ugly mug makes me think we should have a selfie portrait contest. Taking quality portraits is one thing, but adding self-shooting into the mix makes 'em quite hard. I was a little rough on your work, so I should have to put my selfie out there. How many would be interested in doing this? I'm in! It's tough as shit to get a great shot of your self, but fun to do! ETA: Any limits to equipment use? IE: can we shoot tethered, keep it to one light... |
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Posted: 2/3/2017 3:05:08 AM EDT
[#18]
Damnit. Now I'm going to have to take this all seriously.
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Posted: 2/3/2017 10:58:54 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm in! It's tough as shit to get a great shot of your self, but fun to do! ETA: Any limits to equipment use? IE: can we shoot tethered, keep it to one light... Good question on equipment. I wouldn't be opposed to *some* limit on lighting, but I don't think a single light is suitable for a portrait challenge. We could probably put it up to a vote. Tethered? It's certainly easier to do it this way, and many portrait shooters are tethered for all session, so I see no issue with that. Further thoughts: it might be best if we don't post our pics here, for PERSEC purposes. We could probably use a public album somewhere to post pics. It might also be cool to incorporate an out-of-the-camera vs. post-processed/retouched challenge. |
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Posted: 2/3/2017 12:57:58 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Good question on equipment. I wouldn't be opposed to *some* limit on lighting, but I don't think a single light is suitable for a portrait challenge. We could probably put it up to a vote. Tethered? It's certainly easier to do it this way, and many portrait shooters are tethered for all session, so I see no issue with that. Further thoughts: it might be best if we don't post our pics here, for PERSEC purposes. We could probably use a public album somewhere to post pics. It might also be cool to incorporate an out-of-the-camera vs. post-processed/retouched challenge. Single light is all I've got, so I'll be having to do some high power bounce trickery. Hopefully I can come up with something interesting though.
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Posted: 2/3/2017 6:14:48 PM EDT
[#21]
Maybe pat your dome with something like Ben Nye's neutral set? It's cheap, colorless, and if you're going to be taking portraits it's nice to have a mattifying agent on hand.
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Posted: 2/3/2017 8:22:49 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Maybe pat your dome with something like Ben Nye's neutral set? It's cheap, colorless, and if you're going to be taking portraits it's nice to have a mattifying agent on hand. Portraits aren't my usual thing, but that's a good point. If I start doing them, I'll have to pick some of that up. |
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Posted: 2/3/2017 10:40:47 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Portraits aren't my usual thing, but that's a good point. If I start doing them, I'll have to pick some of that up. You're a guy with a camera setup and people aren't forcing you to take them and their kids/pets portraits? Lucky you, lol. |
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Posted: 2/3/2017 10:53:28 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You're a guy with a camera setup and people aren't forcing you to take them and their kids/pets portraits? Lucky you, lol. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Portraits aren't my usual thing, but that's a good point. If I start doing them, I'll have to pick some of that up. You're a guy with a camera setup and people aren't forcing you to take them and their kids/pets portraits? Lucky you, lol. Thankfully it's mostly 'hey dude, I'll pay you in ammo to take some action shots of me and my guns.' I can deal with that, and have gotten pretty damn good at it.
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Posted: 2/10/2017 8:30:20 PM EDT
[#25]
so who's up for a "portrait challenge?"
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Posted: 2/11/2017 2:19:35 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
so who's up for a "portrait challenge?" I'm up for it. Want to say a week from tomorrow is the due date? |
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Posted: 2/11/2017 10:21:13 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm up for it. Want to say a week from tomorrow is the due date? I think we need at least 5 people committed, and then we'd have to outline the rules. For starters, it would need to be a picture you took during the contest period, so it couldn't be your best selfie headshot of all time. |
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Posted: 2/12/2017 2:50:11 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I think we need at least 5 people committed, and then we'd have to outline the rules. For starters, it would need to be a picture you took during the contest period, so it couldn't be your best selfie headshot of all time. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I'm up for it. Want to say a week from tomorrow is the due date? I think we need at least 5 people committed, and then we'd have to outline the rules. For starters, it would need to be a picture you took during the contest period, so it couldn't be your best selfie headshot of all time. Sounds like we should start a thread and get a roll call. |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 1:57:13 AM EDT
[#29]
So a slight update:
Better lights showed up last week. Went from 45w fluorescent that came with the kit to 100w (equivalent) LED 90+ CRI Reflector is on the way from Amazon. So is a longer tether cable. I finally got Digicam Control to work, and it's pretty awesome for tethering your camera. Downside is the stock 2' Nikon cable sucks balls. Exposure on this is kinda 'eh.' Mostly this is the exact moment I realized that I didn't have any of the prior shots focused. Not like I could tell without my glasses. BUT at least I got it focused right. Turns out that clicking the focus point you want, doesn't actually focus it in digicam control. That's a different button. 
Need to spend more time fiddling with umbrella locations as well. White shoot through behind me, and silvers at 10 and 2 ahead. All at about 2-3' distance. Man, I need practice. At least with the 32" reflector and 6' tether cable, I should be able to get a lot more done. I was planning on a new battery to go in my battery grip, but Amazon refuses to ship them to Alaska. Already deposited the gift card on my account, so fuck me. Trying to sell some misc gun stuff locally to free up cash for another battery, this time from the camera shop I used to work at. Man, I am sick and tired of being too sick to work. 4 years without an income is killing me.
70-300mm (at 70mm) 1/30 f/4.5 ISO 640 
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Posted: 2/19/2017 2:06:52 AM EDT
[#30]
And that I apparently had the burn tool still selected instead of content aware fill. So I have a big mark in my nose.
I give up today. Just screw it. |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 7:01:09 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So a slight update: Better lights showed up last week. Went from 45w fluorescent that came with the kit to 100w (equivalent) LED 90+ CRI Reflector is on the way from Amazon. So is a longer tether cable. I finally got Digicam Control to work, and it's pretty awesome for tethering your camera. Downside is the stock 2' Nikon cable sucks balls. Exposure on this is kinda 'eh.' Mostly this is the exact moment I realized that I didn't have any of the prior shots focused. Not like I could tell without my glasses. BUT at least I got it focused right. Turns out that clicking the focus point you want, doesn't actually focus it in digicam control. That's a different button.
Need to spend more time fiddling with umbrella locations as well. White shoot through behind me, and silvers at 10 and 2 ahead. All at about 2-3' distance. Man, I need practice. At least with the 32" reflector and 6' tether cable, I should be able to get a lot more done. I was planning on a new battery to go in my battery grip, but Amazon refuses to ship them to Alaska. Already deposited the gift card on my account, so fuck me. Trying to sell some misc gun stuff locally to free up cash for another battery, this time from the camera shop I used to work at. Man, I am sick and tired of being too sick to work. 4 years without an income is killing me.
70-300mm (at 70mm) 1/30 f/4.5 ISO 640 http://orig08.deviantart.net/702f/f/2017/049/a/d/untitled_by_aknorthpolar-dazkzhf.jpg Ok. Your first one was better IMO. I think this one just has too much light coming from everywhere. You need defining shadows. Something that shapes your face. The difference from softening and lightening the shadows and completely killing them is huge. The white background is way too hot. It makes you hair look much thinner than it really is. I would suggest sitting (or standing) a few more feet from it. You don't want it to blow through your hair. You also don't want it being too much of a back light and reducing contrast too much. You want your RGB numbers to be uniform in the low to mid 90's (I shoot for 93-95). I would say to bounce into the umbrella from camera left onto you face and have the reflectors placed camera right and low. Also, I would really consider shooting at 100-135mm you'll be in the sweet spot of the lens and also it will compress your features better and be a more flattering look. Now I know I completely butchered this, but I added a bunch of shadow to show what I'm talking about. and the difference it makes. How you don't mind.  Attached File |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 7:07:51 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ok. Your first one was better IMO. I think this one just has too much light coming from everywhere. You need defining shadows. Something that shapes your face. The difference from softening and lightening the shadows and completely killing them is huge. The white background is way too hot. It makes you hair look much thinner than it really is. I would suggest sitting (or standing) a few more feet from it. You don't want it to blow through your hair. You also don't want it being too much of a back light and reducing contrast too much. You want your RGB numbers to be uniform in the low to mid 90's (I shoot for 93-95). I would say to bounce into the umbrella from camera left onto you face and have the reflectors placed camera right and low. Also, I would really consider shooting at 100-135mm you'll be in the sweet spot of the lens and also it will compress your features better and be a more flattering look. Now I know I completely butchered this, but I added a bunch of shadow to show what I'm talking about. and the difference it makes. How you don't mind. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/24268/NOPO-1-149933.JPG Absolutely agree with you on there being too much light. To be honest, I kinda phoned this one in. Was sick as hell yesterday so was just dialing rough adjustments and calling it good. I did want to see what having a light source behind me (and directed at me) would do. Can honestly say I don't like the end result 
Still playing around with lights, it's been since high school film shooting when I did any of this last. No reflector yet, and only had the funds to grab one. Will probably be here in 3 weeks or so, so other than a quick test it'll have to wait until I get back from Seattle most likely. Until the new tether cable gets here, I have zero movement on camera position if I'm plugging into my computer to actually be able to control settings. Once the new one shows up, I plan on pulling the camera back and using more zoom. At least (despite being sick) I still managed to get the focus right once I remembered to set it. I'm pretty much having to jimmy rig all of my photo gear. $70 on light stands, umbrellas, and bulbs as a Christmas present about broke me. Upside is I have 3 decent (2 full size and 1 mini) light stands, 2 silver, 2 shoot through white, and a gold umbrella, plus constant (albeit nowhere near the best) light sources for photos.
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Posted: 2/19/2017 7:29:51 PM EDT
[#33]
70-300mm (at 70mm) 1/30 f/4.5 ISO 640 are you using whale oil lamps for lighting?
With strobes at far less than 1/4 power I'm usually shooting portraits around ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/200 sec. |
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Posted: 2/19/2017 7:32:37 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
are you using whale oil lamps for lighting?
With strobes at far less than 1/4 power I'm usually shooting portraits around ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/200 sec. Quote HistoryQuoted:
70-300mm (at 70mm) 1/30 f/4.5 ISO 640 are you using whale oil lamps for lighting?
With strobes at far less than 1/4 power I'm usually shooting portraits around ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/200 sec. No money for strobes. So 100w 90+ CRI LED lights behind the umbrellas. Grand total for 3 bulbs, $12. |
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Posted: 2/20/2017 2:20:42 AM EDT
[#35]
Attempt 3 and one goofing off shot since a friend said I look so lifeless while working on stuff.
 To be honest, I really do prefer black and white for people photos. That said, as much as I hate posed photography, I do realize I need to learn to do it. I can't go around taking candids forever.
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Posted: 2/20/2017 12:32:07 PM EDT
[#36]
You see what your eyes are doing in the candid?
Do that in actual portraits. It's commonly known as a "squnich" and it is the hallmark of an authentic smile. If a smile is faked, a squinch will not be present unless you artificially add it in. (In fact, if you're trying to stop smiling, a squinch will give you away 100% of the time) |
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