Portraits at the Camera Club

Portrait night, last night. Pentax K-1 and D FA 28-105.

I like these. Care to share a bit more detail on the lighting?

A good tip is to look into the models eyes, you'll see the light reflected in her pupils

This looks to be a Softbox or Beauty dish to camera right, plus a hair light defiantly in the last image,

Nice pair of eyes. Like the photos

They are sparkling, beautiful portraits! Great looking photos that make the model look great also. The last one stands even more above the others I think, probably mainly because of the hairlight, but the angle and pose are excellent. I'm curious about the light placement here, because I can't see how her arms would not be casting shadows onto her face .... ?

I also favour the first one because of the higher contrast across the face. The middle two have the nice light illuminating the background. I wonder did you have only two lights, it looks like you have perhaps turned the hairlight around to light up the background in those two.... ?

The D FA28-105 is my favoured portrait lens now .... looks like a killer combination with the K1. It is very sharp and impressive at F8-F11. Plus the extra flexibility of having a zoom is a big help I think in these situations, which are always a bit dynamic.

This sort of photography is deeply satisfying, daunting to know how to get started, and there are setbacks and 'experiments' all the time, but when it comes off right its a great feeling. I'm sure you felt that satisfaction seeing those shots roll off from the camera and onto the LCD! I wish I could have the opportunities to develop and pursue this sort of thing more, but it will have to wait a long while unfortunately for now. It would be great to see a pull-back shot of the setup including the background and light positioning .... there's only a certain amount that can be gained from studying the catchlights.

All crackers from a man of many talents

Thanks everyone. And too kind Brian. First shot is a single Octobox camera right. Second and third are beauty dish in front with Tri reflector below, and another light on the background. Last shot is four flash. Main in front slightly to right. Fill to the left, and 2 to the left and right rear.
I don't normally do much processing, but I hate ugly highlights in eyes from multiple artificial light sources. So I removed the 3 of the 4 highlights in 2 and 3 and 1 of 2 highlights in the last one. And on that subject I detest the highlights from ring flashes. Glad there wasn't one of those in this sitting.

As good as any portraits I've seen anywhere.
Great shooting.
Last, first and third for me.

Simply wonderful Alan; great photocraft, lighting and stunning composition; doesn't get better.

Regards

Daronl

Fabulous shots, professional and polished. The model is very attractive too. I'm no expert on portraiture, but I know I like these.

Regards
David

Thanks so much for the comments. Not my usual thing

Thank you for the lighting detail. Very impressed with these.

Excellent control of lighting Alan and sharp, detailed images to boot.

Best regards

Very nice. A topic I have never tackled.

Great set of images. Like them all.
As someone else said above, portraits is something I have not dared to attempt. I feel it's a difficult and daunting art.