Portrait Lighting - Feedback on this shot

It is hard to tell what you were trying to do, to be honest.

First, there is a sort of greenish cast to the whole thing, pretty sickly as if shot under fluorescent light--need to watch/correct your white balance. Next, I think there is almost no sense of lighting here, more like you were just trying to flatten everything out which ends up being sort of blah! But I have to go back to my first statement and say that the way you have set the lights, based on the catchlights in the eyes, and this result, I really have no idea what you wanted to achieve and so I do find it difficult to comment on any success you might have or not have had.

Trish I`m not sure what you are using, but the biggest issue I think is the lighting is flat. You want more of a ratio between the fill light and main light. But you have a light meter? If not that would be your best tool to determine the ratios.
I would try to have the main light at least 1 stop above the fill, possibly more depending on the look you want.I would also raise his face a little, that would clean his chin a little, you could then raise the camera to achieve the same look.

I would suggest a good available/flash meter would be the first thing I would get, otherwise you are just guessing as to what is going on. Except for the ratio you are doing great......Keep shooting, that`s how you learn....

Hi John and Russ -
Thank you for your feedback. I am using the following source for lighting with 2 umbrella reflectors.

• 6500K 105W Ultimate Power Day-light Energy Saving Light Bulb
  (Produces 1000 Watts of useable light: Total 2000W)

Also, I have my camera set on manual white balance and on auto aperture priority exposure. I'm also studing the Kelvin scale to measure the right temperature with the bulbs.

I guess I have tons to learn, as this is my first time shooting on a studio setting!!! The scary part is that I have my first indoor-studio client tomorrow!

Thanks again for your feedbacks!

Trish

I don't think you're ready for a client.

The scary part is that I have my first indoor-studio client tomorrow!

I would change white balance to auto for the shoot, shoot in RAW so you can adjust it easily afterwards. Try moving one of the lights in closer to give you more light on one side so it isn't so flat. Not sure what lens you are using, but be sure you are focusing on the eyes, change to manual focus if you need to. If you mean your first indoor-studio 'paying' client, you might want to reconsider and do it for free as you clearly need more practice.

This picture was taken on AWB, the ISO at 200. It has less of a greenish tint to it. I will use PS to correct the imbalances.

The shots for my client will be for her new book. She has been a client for a while now, but this is the first time working on a studio setting. The shoot will consist of 4 outfits with the white backdrop. I will do my best and with the help of PS, I should nail it. Thanks for the input, everyone!

The scary part is that I have my first indoor-studio client tomorrow!

Yikes!

Suggestion; take a lot of photos and try everything; at least you might get a few keepers.

1) Either manual white balance or use auto WB.
2) You're too close. The subjects features are exaggerated, nose, chin etc...Use more telephoto, 75mm minimum...135mm even better.
3) Cropped too tight. Capture more head & shoulders. Leave more dead space around the subject. You can crop and/or scale later.
4) Consider shooting outside with available light until you learn lighting a little better.
5) Try more positional poses. This pose is not complimentary from a number of stand points.
6) Get a good book on basic lighting and practice like there is no tomorrow.

I don't think anyone here is trying to be mean; so I hope you will take all advice in the spirit it is intended.

You do have a lot of work to do; and the good news is..anyone can do it.

Thanks, Kevin - I know I have tons to do. The good news is that I have all day today and part of tomorrow. You can see my "nicer" work on my site at www.trisholiveira.com and on www.pbase.com/trisholiveira