Softbox Debut Image

[Archangel]

Re: Softbox Debut Image

George, with regard to catchlights........they add a dimension to the eyes and are pretty much part and parcel of studio photography. Even when using ambient or natural light, you'll usually get something of the scene and the light-source reflected in the eyes themselves.

Tim,

Absolutely true in regards to the catchlights, ambient and natural light.

To me though, and most photographers, they aren't generally seen as something to avoid. Hope that helps?

Here we slightly disagree Tim.

It depends on what is the effect of the light reflection on the eyes.
In the specific photo the reflection has caused half of the eye core (if this is the correct word for the dark round part inside the eye, surrounded by the blue part) to be visible and the other half to be blown out by the light reflection.
For this specific side effect of this specific lighting reflection, it is something to avoid at least in my opinion.

What most photographers do, given the limited time of model availability, equipment and facilities (not all photographs of models are taken under personal private studios on ideal situations, but also on stage or behind stages, or other out of personal/private studio facilities) and given that the photos will be on magazines and not in photo exhibitions, is not something that should be always define a rule or a proper strategy/technique.


Regards

George

[Bearface]

Re: Softbox Debut Image

Here we slightly disagree Tim.

It depends on what is the effect of the light reflection on the eyes.
In the specific photo the reflection has caused half of the eye core to be visible and the other half to be blown out by the light reflection.
For this specific side effect of this specific lighting reflection, it is something to avoid at least in my opinion.

The iris hasn't been "blown out" by the light reflection, as the attached crop demonstrates. It's just a reflection, albeit one that some people are uncomfortable with. What makes it acceptable or unacceptable is purely subjective, and not subject to measurement or technical criticism.

What most photographers do, given the limited time of model availability, equipment and facilities (not all photographs of models are taken under personal private studios on ideal situations, but also on stage or behind stages, or other out of personal/private studio facilities) and given that the photos will be on magazines and not in photo exhibitions, is not something that should be always define a rule or a proper strategy/technique.

No single rule or set of rules can be applied to the multitude of contexts and situations we work in. In fact, in the fields I work in, the rules and trends change almost constantly, which means that nothing is ever right (or wrong) for any period of time. What's appropriate for an exhibition may be totally wrong for a magazine (and vice versa), but if a shot is considered and it has a legitimate place in the context of it's purpose, I'd argue that it can never be wrong...

[Patrick]

Re: Softbox Debut Image

The iris hasn't been "blown out" by the light reflection, as the attached crop demonstrates. It's just a reflection, albeit one that some people are uncomfortable with. What makes it acceptable or unacceptable is purely subjective, and not subject to measurement or technical criticism.





No single rule or set of rules can be applied to the multitude of contexts and situations we work in. In fact, in the fields I work in, the rules and trends change almost constantly, which means that nothing is ever right (or wrong) for any period of time. What's appropriate for an exhibition may be totally wrong for a magazine (and vice versa), but if a shot is considered and it has a legitimate place in the context of it's purpose, I'd argue that it can never be wrong...