portraits Low Key Self Portrait

Self portrait using 3 speedlites. Any thoughts on the lighting would help me a great

deal.

Thank you...

I'm impressed Jeff, the control of the low key lighting ratio of about 3:1 is just right for a male portrait. The composition is well balanced and triangular with your gaze on your fretting hand which also gives the shot some dynamism, very well done, much better than I have ever done of myself.

Nice Strat and cool shot. I do like it. Not sure why you cropped your feet, it could have been a nice element of the shot with some shoes, but since you did, maybe try using a little vignetting in Lightroom to make the feet cut-off transition smoothly into black instead of a drastic cut at the bottom of the photo. This will give the photo a more polished professional look and less like a snap shot crop.

It might also be fun to use a bit more kicker lighting from over head and behind, a bit brighter flash and faster shutter speed to make a more drastic light and shadow defined low key photo. Also some directed light on the guitar machinehead/winding pegs to get some noticeable shine sort of like catchlights for the guitar winding pegs.

Just a couple thoughts, you are inspiring me to pull out my Strat and Paul. Keep up the good work. I like the shot, pose, subject guitar player, it is good, just suggesting some things to try. Looks like this was fun. Happy shooting. Cheers.