Lighting, make-up and cheek bones

[DrGed]

In recent months I've been learning how to do portrait photography and my wife has been the model for me. I am using a single off camera manual speedlite and a shoot through umbrella.

I am finding that practice makes perfect but there is one problem I'm not sure how to deal with. Whilst I have got the exposure just about O.K. it is sometimes the case that small areas of my wife's face can be on the way to being blown out. It usually happens to be around her cheek bones but I did take one today when it was a small area on the end of her nose. Everywhere else seems correctly exposed.

The thing is, she doesn't wear any make up at all for these very informal shoots and I was wondering if it would help if she did. I also wonder if it's got nothing to do with make-up and that it could be something I'm doing wrong.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cosmix3]

Some powder would help, helps remove the shine from natural oils etc. in the skin, so would say use some see if it helps, but am sure it will

 

[bruno106a]

I went to garys place at bradford, While I was having a brew i spoke to the model and she said that she wore a matt foundation so to not create a shine on her skin

 

[DrGed]

Many thanks for the helpful replies.

I recall noticing that, on Match of the Day, Alan Hansen often wore so much make up that he looked like a Thunderbird whereas other people on the same programme seemed to be able to get away with a lot less. Does this imply that different people need different make up for the same lighting situation?

 

[Ivan S]

You want that stuff they waft over peoples faces on the telly with that big soft brush

No idea what it is though:shrug:

 

[Garry Edwards]

Yes, you need matt makeup, there's no substitute for it.
The amount of shine varies tremendously from one individual to another but even people with really dry skin need matt makeup.

Certain modifiers (e.g. beauty dishes, fresnel spots) are worst than most. Your umbrella is better than most, but you have the problem that you're using a hotshoe flashgun with no modelling lamp, so it's all trial and error.

 

[DrGed]

Thanks, Ivan.

Thanks, Garry. Yes, I'm all manual so trail and error is the way at the moment. They used to say "Must needs as the devil drives" In my case it's the bank manager not the devil although there may be certain similarities!