I lost my studio virginty last week 56k warning

[Kev M]

Last week was another first for me, a studio and boy was it a learning experience. I borrowed a mate from work and his family and set off for a couple of hours.

I was hoping to get a bit more instruction from the guy who was runing the place but at times I felt like I had more of an idea what to do from what I'd picked up here and in the magazines.

Anyways, this is Georgia and the first lesson.

You can't reason with a two year old, they don't take instruction, they don't care what you want and they don't want to be in a studio getting lights flashed at them when it's time for bed.

Here's a rare moment of Georgia not being a diva. I like this wideangle shot but I don't know if the massive feet ruin it.

This is Alex. Four year olds are much more co-operative than two year olds but that doesn't mean you'll get your own way. The grimace is because he was struggling to stay upright.

This is what happens when your background flash doesn't fire. I actually quite like the muted tones it's just a shame they don't contrast with the shirt so much.

One of my better Georgia shots. All she wanted to do was climb stuff, including the fash stands. Time to turn it to my advantage and place a stool infront of the lights.

Another lesson, your really need two background lights for group stuff and mobile kids not one.

and now for something I'm a bit more comfortable with, no, not men in lycra but kid free stuff and sport. Something my imagination works better with.

What else did I learn????????????????????

A lightmeter would help, a histogram and a screen really don't help with perfect exposure when you're doing hi-key or low-key stuff, you need three lights minimum in a studio this size, kids are too much hard work, venture are welcome to them.

Oh yeah, and I still have a lot to learn about PP when it comes to skin tones and having a style.

Can't wait to have another go though.

 

[Kev M]

some more

 

[Joe T]

I have to say that the lighting looks much to bright on a number of these. Sorry

 

[ruralscotland]

Have to agree with the above, too bright in alot of the shots...the histogram comes in handy here.

 

[Kev M]

Alot of the brightness may be down to my PP. On a couple of them I've deliberatly gone high contrast.

Histograms are ok for for exposing a whole scene like landscapes but I think they fall down with hi-key stuff. The most important part to expose for is the skin in this case but with a blown out background the histogram is bunched up to the lift and clipped so doesn't really help much unless there's a technique to reading them I've missed.

 

[oldgit]

Dont be downheartened the above might be true, but you've some excellent shots there. A little extra PP (providing you shot in RAW and they arnt blown out) will bring em back in line.

The 2nd one is a great shot of kid and mum.

Sadly tho some of the focusing does seem a bit off. Shame.

 

[dazzajl]

I think that's a bloody fabulous half days work.

No, they're not all spot on but there is alot to take in and to have accomplished that just going on bits of info you've picked up here and there is nothing short of impresive.

There are some good lessons in there for you to take back to your next session and with a bit of practice, you'll soon get to know what is background and what is subject on your histogram.

 

[h.r.ford]

I love the B&W of the mom and boy laughing. Really great. I think for your first attempt you did fabulously!! It is a shame the focus is just out with the little girl on the stool good have been a cracker.

 

[Kev M]

Cheers for the words of encouragement. I knew I wouldn't get everything right on my first attempt although I didn't think I'd delete so many images due to focusing. Fast moving little girls can be very problematic. I'm going back in the next few weeks hopefully to do some more sport stuff with grown-ups but I think I might hire another light and a meter for that one.