Well trying to set up a portable studio in my living room. Used my family as guinea pigs. Thought I would share my first test photos. My wife.

My Son.

My Daughter

handsome family you have...i think i like the one of your daughter the best as she's relating to something other than the camera...and, good luck with your portable studio!

Nice lighting. Bit over contrasted on your wife, But all such natural poses.I am interested to know what you used for that background.Looks real nice. Definitely hit the lighting perfect on your daughter.

"The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions."

I have to disagree with Doug here! The shot of ur wife is definitely my fav!! I love the high contrast! But I guess it's a matter of taste!!! I do agree with him about that background though!! I totally love it!!! Such beautiful colors!! And not as dull as a white or black background!! Great shots here Randy!

Randy

I 'prefer' the portrait of your daughter because the 'play' with lighting and shades in her face are perfect ! As for the background I agree with Pascale.

(did you use more than 2 light sources ?)

Carlos.

lak - Thank you. Doug - Thanks. Note taken on the contrast. The background set is as follows: Screw to decorative hooks in the ceiling. Take a 8' PVC pipe and screw hooks on each end, and hang from the ceiling with a simple chain. Then I draped a piece of dark gray fabric over it. This was the back drop for my daughter's shot. My wife of course wanted more color, so we went to Wal-Mart and bought a 12' x 6' piece of the colorful fabric. I draped this over the dark grey as the color fabric was quite thin. Viloa one colorful background. tibet2004uk - Thanks, I have always like contrasty prints myself, but know this is not always preferred. Carlos - Thanks. Yes I used 3 lights. One main light at a 45 degree, one fill right next to the camera, and a light placed behind the subjects pointed at the background.

Good portraits and lighting - the contrasts look good to me with a nice seperation from the background especially in #1&2.

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html

love all three portraits.. especially your daughter .. love the subtle back drop.. really brings your daughter into the forefront.. all lovely poses and perfect pov. mmm looking at your wifes portrait.wonder if the darker background works better with the red. it just seems a bit bright..but could be my monitor.. with contrast always taught a rule.. a thin line between black and soot.. reguardless all three are fantastic.. and theyve done you proud.. hugssss:)..)))

I Discovered the secret of the sea in mediation upon the dewdrop ... Sand and Foam Gibran

<a href="http://www.soulofharmonyphotographics.org/">Visit My Website</a>

Onslow - Thanks for your kind comments. soulofharmony - Thanks! With my wife, I agree the darker background would have worked better I think, but my wife picked the background. You would think the photographer should chose, but I was lucky just to get my wife to pose. lol!

wonderful family you have..always nice to look at

Ilona Krijgsman: My Tree Of Life
----------------------------------