[Bristol Pete]

Another session unraveling the delights of strobe or flash as it used to be known. Again, three SB's fired. One through a snoot on the back wall, another via an umbrella and the third shot as and when. Various power ouput. Trial and error again, but netted some lovely stuff and I think possibly the best little bunch of people pics I have snapped in a long while. For reference, these were shot on my new Nikon 24-70 nano lens @ F2.8. Processed in light room to the point where I liked them is all.

Comments and feedback welcome. I have a big job on tomorrow with flash so all advice taken on board. (job depends on weather)....oh and the models are family so nice comments only please

[bluesilver]

stunning as normal Bristol Pete.

[stevegreen]

#1 and #3 are my favorites out of these Pete. I think the off central composition helps.The shadows in #6 are a bit too harsh in my opinion.

[Tobers]

Blimey you've been busy.

Some C&C as requested. I'd like to say at the start that all the models are supremely good looking. Forgive me if these are a bit critiquey but I've had some beer...

#1 Lighting is nicely done with no overly harsh shadow areas. Best of the bunch technically I think. Shadow on background bottom right could do with being sorted though.

#2 Male subject suits harsher treatment. Works well. Background better. Looks a tad over-bright on the cheek & forehead on the model's left - maybe a touch too much flash power on that side? Super shot though - very nice indeed.

#3 High key - intriguing but alongside #1 doesn't look as impressive.

#4 Shadow bottom right is a shame. Not keen on the vignetting and combined with that shadow it looks a bit of a horror movie type thing (dracula sneaking up behind etc). The lighting on the model is a bit harsh - big shadow under her nose for example.

#5 Whilst #2 suited the treatment well, the sepia toning makes me expect a softer pic but it's quite harsh so doesn't sit so well with sepia. I think maybe a reflector on the right or some fill light could have sorted the shadowed area on the side of the model's nose.

#6 Too harsh - I think you need some fill light again. Makes the model's lovely nose stand out too much with the shadow below.

#7 Very nice. Works well - nothing too over-bright and with soft shadows. Background shadow needs sorting again.

Good luck tomorrow!

Tobers

[edddie_veddder]

Nice set Pete, very nice. Love the high key one most. No.1 is a close second. I'm with Tobers on no.6, needs more fill or a reflector to the right.

[onefunkypenguin]

liking number one and three the most. great shots all round though, i was taking pics on sat with just one flash (the onboard one ) and found that hard enough with the shadows and things present in the room!

[springtide]

These all are very good. I think the more balanced (less shadow) lighting of the girl work better.

#1 is really nice and soft lighting and works really well.

#2 works well. Like the harsher lighting on the male.

#3 like the high key, but if asked to be "picky" would have prefered less shadow on the second eye.

#4 very joyful. Prefer #1, but I do like the vignetting.

#5 I think I just prefer the more serious look and harsher light/tones in #2.

#6 and #7 : Prefer the softer pictures above, but it does depend on what look you are going for.

But I have no authority on portraits, just think I know what I like