Having fun with some studio lighting

[ozimax]

My sister-in-law found an almost brand new studio lighting setup at a garage sale a few months, including a soft box and stand, for $80. She gave it to me and I have started using it, together with my old Cactus V4 flash triggers. The setup works flawlessly. I've had a few weeks vacation to muck around, and it's a lot of fun, even if the only subject, for the most part, is the photographer. Self portraits can be tricky, especially when you're as ugly as I am....

Anyway, here's a few from my efforts. Any criticisms welcome. Single studio strobe at 1/4 power, 45 degrees to subject with a 430EX strobe a 1/16 power for a backlight. Canon 60D/50mm F1.2 F8 @ 125th sec.


Portrait2 by Ozimax, on Flickr


Portrait1 by Ozimax, on Flickr


Tightcrop1 by Ozimax, on Flickr

[aim54x]

Nice work, you have done very well...nothing to complain about other than a bit more light is needed in #2.

[sirhc55]

#1 is outstanding. A powerful shot with a great pose that just goes to prove that masturbation of the photographic kind works well in your hands Ozi

[biggerry]

nice stuff ozi, gotta love a bargain, the first has great light and the last is a quaint quirky style shot i like it.

pose that just goes to prove that masturbation works well in your hands Ozi

i had to do it..context and a few words is everything

[sirhc55]

nice stuff ozi, gotta love a bargain, the first has great light and the last is a quaint quirky style shot i like it.

pose that just goes to prove that masturbation works well in your hands Ozi

i had to do it..context and a few words is everything

Thanks Gerry, do you work for the Associated Press editing dept

[gstark]

Oz,

Great work.

Set the light a little more towards the front in #2.

As Chris said, #1 is a very powerful image, but #3 is just superb; I love it.

[zafra52]

1 and 3 are the best. By the way, ugliness doesn't
come into it for as we all know some very ugly
people are very photogenic; and, some beautiful
people are not.

[Remorhaz]

For me I'd pick the last Ozi (maybe because I'm into tighter crops lately?) - but the first is also very good and I like the pose you've got going - gotta be happy with $80

[ozimax]

1 and 3 are the best. By the way, ugliness doesn't
come into it for as we all know some very ugly
people are very photogenic; and, some beautiful
people are not.

Very true. Some of us, like me, have it all; ugliness and non-photogeniciosity.

[surenj]

Very nice Ozi, you'd paid attention to detail (no reflections in the glasses etc etc) in creating these pictures. Did you like the tilt screen of the 60D for doing selfies??

Speaking of detail, #1 I reckon you could tuck that tie in, adjust the back of the suit (behind the neck) and slighly loosen up (easier said than done).

[ozimax]

Did you like the tilt screen of the 60D for doing selfies??

I only use the tilt screen for chimping. As for focussing, it was pretty hit and miss, estimating focus then self timer, then chimping.

Speaking of detail, #1 I reckon you could tuck that tie in, adjust the back of the suit (behind the neck) and slighly loosen up (easier said than done).

Good points Suren. I'm not too keen on selfies in general, but it's the only way I can practice the lighting setup at the moment.

[BBJ]

Not too shabby Mate, come up ok. I have a set of lights but have not played with them as don't really have a lot of room but oneday i might get to play with them. Well done.
BBJ

[ozimax]

Not too shabby Mate, come up ok. I have a set of lights but have not played with them as don't really have a lot of room but oneday i might get to play with them. Well done.
BBJ

John, what you up to mate? Still down in northern Antarctica (eg the Mount)?