Another from the session

[CarriageHouse]

I had a fill light to the left and a main light to the right, both about 4 ft from the subject. She was about 3-4 ft from the backdrop, and a backdrop light behind her. CC welcomed!

[jerryph]

The placement of the camera left light is good, same for the camera right, but I feel the overall picture is about 3/4-1 stop underexposed and could be brighter. I would also have her stand further away from the backdrop as her heels look as if she is standing on her toes.

You also have to pay attention to differing WB levels from different lights. It is important that all lights used have the same WB levels in this kind of a shot... this is not true for all shots, but in this case, I see a little more orange on the left side of her head than I see on her face.

Still.. its very nice! :)

[neonmike]

Did you shoot her in front of a green screen and add that background after?

I'd have had her turn her legs slightly instead of squaring up with the camera. I like the back drop though. I'm getting into the digitals myself because it saves so much space and money. I'm still trying to get the hang of imposing my subject on to them without it looking too fake though.

[jerryph]

With locations being what they are, one of the things that I enjoy about portraiture is that almost ANYTHING can be a place to shoot.

So far, I have the entrance ways to toilets, freight elevators, electrical panels, server rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, dark foreboding alleys, churches and so much more. Backdrops are nice, and I use those too, but there is something about standing someone next to an ordinary column and coming in close... you can make it look almost like anything you want.

Mike did hit on a couple things... never face a person straight on in a portrait, makes them look aggressive or pensive. Also, don't partially hide fingers or hands partially... it sometimes make sthem look physically handicapped or awkward.

I've enmassed a couple of rules about posing and portraiture HERE (http://jerryphpics.blogspot.com/2008/07/portraiture-guidelines.html), if you are interested. :)

[CarriageHouse]

Thanks for the pointers! The lights were all florescent so they shouldn't of had different casts to them. It is a green screen, trying to get the hang of correct and even lighting so it will seperate from the person easily!

[neonmike]

When using the green screen be careful that you don't leave any atrifacts behind. The goal is to make it look like the person was standing in front of the backdrop the whole time. In your shot I can see around the feet and her lower right pant leg that some of the erasing was off. It's a good attempt though.

I prefer using digital Muslim backdrops because they are actual photos instead of illustrated scenes. They just look more realistic. Another thing you can do is take some scenic shots that appeal to you. I've got shots of a few grafitti covered walls near my house. These can serve as realy cool backdrops for a number of shots. Plus you can setup a studio shoot for a rainy day and still have an outside shot after.

Jerry, was kind enough to lay a lot of great rules for posing out in his blog. You can also look up some Jeff Smith's books on posing.

As for the lighting. I'd suggest learning to use your in camera light meter if your camera has one. Eventually you'll want to get a hand held light meter though.