Newbie with a very basic home setup - tips?

Stevies

Stevies

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Stephen
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Hi folks,

I've bought a Photosel popup up background that I reckoned would be ideal for the type of portraits that I wanted to do which is basically just the family as we and kids as they grow up. My kit that I'm using is the Canon 60D with normally the 50mm f1.4 but sometimes the 24-70 f2.8 and a single Speedlite 430EX ll mounted off camera.

My results from today's messing around are below. Have you's any tips? Is there anything more I can be doing short of buying a proper set of studio lights?

My better half and our six year old:


Gillian and Ethan by Exif Data | Stephen Scott, on Flickr

The better half:


Gillian Scott by Exif Data | Stephen Scott, on Flickr

And Ethan!


Ethan by Exif Data | Stephen Scott, on Flickr

Not exactly studio but a shot of our 4 month old I couldn't resist sharing! At the time I hadn't the Speedlite to hand so I just had to stop it down and blur the background and hope the image stayed sharp. Pity he didn't smile but was pleased with it all the same.


Jenson Scott by Exif Data | Stephen Scott, on Flickr

Will take any advice - won't be offended in the slightest as I'm learning!

Stevie
 
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Not bad first attempt, you can see the edges of the photosel which is off putting.
On the second the shadows look a little harsh.
Baby shot is lovely
 
looks very good to me ! im about to start working out how to do this sort of thing..what did you use and how did you set it all up?
 
if you need a 2nd light source, and illuminate from one side, can you put a white vertical wall next to your subjects? any reflector is a light source.
also for the cheap, try experimenting with a snoot to direct the light, it's not the standard white backdrop flat lighting approach but you'll have a lot of fun!
I think they look nice , but there is a bit of over exposure on the edges, have you tried shooting with the over exposure highlights activated in your LCD to give you some feedback?
 
Thanks for the feedback, comments/criticism - still learning.
To answer tomkbucks question I used a Photosel popup background with a Speedlite 430EX ll mounted off camera (in my case a 60D) to blow the wrinkles out off the white side and then it bounced off the roof and down on the subjects.
Definitely need to keep practising...! Never thought of trying a snoot. A second light or set of Lencarta or similar lighting is definitely on the cards though.

Thanks

Stevie
 
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