Another hilite attempt

[Jchaplin]

Hi all,

Not wanting to jump all over hodders thread about his hilite attempt I thought I'd start another. I'm basically after some C&C on some shots I've done recently using my hilite/reflective floor. Its a similar set up to hodders but in a smaller space so I've not blown the background as much as he has and have dealt with it in post.

However the subject lighting doesnt seem to be as good as it should be - maybe a half stop underexposed? I'm using a shoot through brolly (large) quite low down on camera right. Any advice on how to get a little more detail and sharpness out of this setup?

A few images here:

and the rest here if anyone wants to look further - www.tstl.co.uk/customer/karenolly/selection

All advice greatly appreciated thank you!

Jeremy.

 

[Dman]

I like them, a nice set there. Where did you get the flooring? I got something from Homebase once and it cracked during the first shoot!

 

[Jchaplin]

Dave - it's 2mm clear acrylic - I bought sheets from Wickes at first but then B&Q had a slightly larger one that I *just* got in the car so I'm using that. Not massively durable but it'll last a few shoots for now. About £35 as I remember. Any suggestions on how I might improve them?

 

[Dman]

I think there's better examples on your site than what you've put up here. I personally think number 2 is pretty much there, number 3 is good but the boy's face is a tad overexposed. Maybe a tad too much contrast as well?

Do you use a light meter? How many stops are there between subject and background? I know Garry Edwards always recommends a half stop but I tend to find this difficult to achieve. I haven't got a Hilite though so haven't used one before. I do find things a lot easier with a light meter though.

 

[Jchaplin]

Thanks Dave - yes 3 is a bit over the top - I didn't use a meter to set up this time, but mainly because I didnt intend to blow the background out completely as I knew it would generate too much spill/flare. It blew out about a half stop around the subjects heads but otherwise was not blown and was then touched up in post. Do you think I should still be metering for the subject even though I'm not trying to overexpose the b/g?