jamesechols

Hello all, I'm very very new to portrait photography and have been playing around myself with trying to figure out headshot setups, but I feel like I'm getting this very wrong right now.

 

The look I'd like to achieve is at DavidNoles.com.

 

 

I've attached a file what I've been getting. Barring the not so great framing and slightly off focus (they're self portraits with no assistance...though help on achieving that is welcome as well I guess...though a secondary at the moment. And please no feedback on my doofy no-makeup look), I'm wondering what's so off about my shots.

 

I'm using a 20" softbox (with speedlight) slightly above head angled down and a silver reflector at about chest high angled slightly towards subject. Fill light is a speedlight angled slightly toward backdrop.

 

Any thoughts? Do I need a larger softbox for the key light? Am I totally off with my setup? I know speedlights likely won't achieve exactly what I'm going for but I'm hoping to inch closer to the principles of what I'm going for.

 

[ATTACH=full]1288080[/ATTACH]

Wow! it's a great capture for a beginner. I'm also a newbie here. May I ask if what camera did you use? and what are it's specifications? I love photography and I use Canon EOS 40 D and 100D. I don't have the silver reflector and other stuff you used but I might buy someday to fulfill my passion :) I'm fun of taking photos along the shore with pets as the subject. I want to do some portrait photography someday.

I think its normal for the sensor to heat up for a long period of use and you may also consider the temperature of the environment. But the increase in the sensor's noise would be alarming. It might be a mechanical fault which may lead to a more serious problem if you overuse your camera. I think you should rest your camera for a while to cool down. You can still do it in not-so-warmed-up sensor though.

Canon EOS 40 D and 100D would be great for a tight budget. It captures well in good lighting environment but I would advise you to go for a brand new with higher specifications. It would cost you a bit but worth it in capturing amazing subjects of yours.

On the other hand, go for it if your budget is really that tight. You might discover new techniques in capturing images.