Self portrait, lighting experiment. I’m short one pocket wizard, so I set my single strobe to slave and blocked/bounced back the light from my on camera flash with foil. I think it helped soften that harsh flash look. What do you think? Any other lighting tricks to share?

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Self portrait, lighting experiment. I’m short one pocket wizard, so I set my single strobe to slave and blocked/bounced back the light from my on camera flash with foil. I think it helped soften that harsh flash look. What do you think? Any other lighting tricks to share?
Self portrait, lighting experiment. I’m short one pocket wizard, so I set my single strobe to slave and blocked/bounced back the light from my on camera flash with foil. I think it helped soften that harsh flash look. What do you think? Any other lighting tricks to share?
That is beautiful!!!! This has got to be one of the best boudoir masterpieces I have seen! I may have done bluegrass home style amateur boudoir modeling, but this is like on the level of art museum display style!
Everything about this is so good. The lighting, props, the backdrop and even the model are all good. Words alone cannot even begin to describe how much of a masterpiece this is.
It’s a great start. I think I’d tighten up the composition a little bit (move the camera a bit closer.). Try bouncing one light off of the ceiling to soften it more. Set one light at about 45 degrees to your left (the side toward your subjects head) plus your on cam flash diffused may work for you.
I love the lighting. Light is your subject. It is what tells your story. So your lighting is perfect for the story you are telling. Wish you were in LA so I could collaborate with you.
Great job. I’ve used that trick before as well and it works well for this shot. Generally, I prefer to use a beauty dish with a diffusion cover for key and a large softbox or 60 inch umbrella for fill, but the setup you use here gives more contrast and is perfect for this concept.
I think for having to think quick on your feet with what uou had this turned out amazing. I love that it has a very natural lit feel to it while still capturing the glow of the lamp. I also like your choice in posing here. That is biggest struggle with photography is guiding subjects into poses.
Love this shot! So beautiful!
Check out the godox triggers they’ll do full ttl with your camera brand flash and the godox flashes are great for off camera work
Edit: because you said you needed pocket wizards and these are noticeably cheaper
I think this is a pretty good image, but here’s my thoughts on how to improve on it.
Get rid of the white blanket and pillow, they’re competing with your light skin against all the darker reds. Try keeping your feet together, or crossed at the ankles in the opposite direction as they are currently, it will give better flow down the leg. While I read that you want to include all of the couch, that curio cabinet or window to the left is distracting.
This will be dependent on your equipment, but try lowering the power on your strobe and only use it for fill. Use the lamp as your key light. As it is now, the lamp and candle light are almost lost, it looks like they are on in daylight. This may prove difficult though, depending on what you have for light modifiers and how low the power on your strobe goes. This would also mean reversing your position to pick up more of the lamp light on your upper body.
Not sure what gear you have, but as someone suggested, a Godox trigger and a receiver for your strobe will give you the control you need. If you want to invest the money, get a Godox speedlight, and MS200 or 300, or an AD200 (those are in increasing level of cost).
I think it’s a really nice start. I’d take out the white pillow and blanket, because they distract a bit. If you can move your flash off camera and put it closer so it’s shining from the lamp area it will wash the shot with softer light. That should allow the wall to go darker an show off the candle sconces on the wall better. I’d also look at the color grading, maybe a little warmer to emphasize your skin tones.