1d mk ii Soft Lighting?

My attempt at soft studio lighting. I used 3 ABees and an SP 920.

AB400 camera left for fill, AB800 slightly camera right both in 45in

umbrellas, center of umbrella shooting just past the front of my

daughter. AB800 on the background with a 20 degree screen on it and

the SP920 with a small 12 inch softbox as a hair light. Shot this at

ISO 50, 1/60th F5.6. Does it work?

I love all your details :) This works very well. I love the soft light effect, her skin looks so smooth. The hair light works wonderfully. My suggestions would be to move her farther from the background, I find I want it more out of focus, obviously the F5.6 didn't throw it out of focus. I'd crop in on her face more. I also like kids to look a little warmer, just a personal preferrence, not a mistake on anybody's part. Hope you don't mind, easier to show than tell. Nice job with the lights!

I like the background more OOF also. unfortunately my living room is only so long :). I just bought the 2 additional lights for a father/ son photo shoot I have scheduled and was practicing. When I only the one AB800 and SP 920 (very small cheap light)I found that when I used them I got more dark areas in the image and tried to use more ambient light as a result of that. Well Ambient light works when you have enough of it. SO anyway, I got the other lights hoping that I could get good results. I don't know how it will work with 2 people as opposed to one, but I at least feel confident that I am on my way.

Thanks for you ehlp.

Regards,

Rob

I know what you mean about the room! Try using a different lens. The 70-200mm may be the culprit too. You'd think the 70-200mm @ F5.6 would do the trick with the background. I have a 28-300 Tamron I am really attached to, go figure. One of the least expensive lenses I own. Bought the famous 24-70mm It's OK, but chasing kids around, it just doesn't cut it.

When I shoot in my studio, I normally shoot @ F8 & it pretty much does the trick. With kids, you need a pretty deep DOF, they move a lot. :)

I love AlienBees, they are great! Customer service is amazing! They are so....helpful. Enjoy playing!