B&W version of a three light self portrait

[edG]

Another version of some recent self portrait work -trying to get a better handle on portraiture. Bought a Sekonic 308s light meter and have noticed a difference immediately in the shots.

Strobist info:

Main light is a 30" Photoflex convertible umbrella (shoot thru) with Nikon SB 600 at full power, camera right, 45 degrees, 7' up and angled down.

The fill light is a 30" convertible/shoot through umbrella shot reflective with a Sigma 530 DG Super at 1/16 centered over camera, 7' up and angled down.

An optical slave was fired off the floor (at my back) to provide separation from the drapes in the back ground.

Flashes were triggered via two Cactus V4 receivers and trigger. Settings were taken using a Sekonic 308s light meter.

Nikon D5000 with Nikkor 16-85mm at 68mm, 1/80 sec, iso 200, f 13 was triggered with an ML-L3 remote.

Conversion to B&W done in Lr 3.3

Link to larger version: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/...2d145610_b.jpg

[Iguanasan]

Nice work. I really like this one, edG, as it has a lot of character. I'm wondering if it would have been a good idea to hold a reflector or something to brighten up the shadows under your eyes and nose? Note, this isn't a critique but more of a question. I'd like to get better at taking portraits too so I'm just wondering.

[edG]

Thanks Iggy - I had actually used my 32" reflector on the rh side to provide a bit more fill/ bounce, but I think I had it back to far. Next time I am going to move a tad forward and angle it up slightly.

It is probably the most frustrating thing about not really having a lot of family around to practice on, it's becomes very difficult to fine tune all the little details and still reproduce the exact positioning and expression each time an adjustment is required - Oh well, just have to persevere.

With that said, I am finding that I like a little more shadow in a portrait to add depth and character.