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How to get an indie look in photos?

How to get this look in photos?

  • http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6790117387_ffff68e3c5_b.jpg First off, I understand the logistics of photography and SLR cameras and the exposure cycle. My question is, how to get that very soft, warm, and back-lit scene with still having very soft directional light towards the models? I've tried to imitate shots like this, and all I get is washed out look. I've tried bouncing some of the light back at the models, but it tends to always be over-kill of light, either blinding the models and/or excess of bounced light. I have tried white and silver reflectors and from all distances but I can never seem to get the look I am shooting for. Here's an example of the closest I've gotten to what I want: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6790151905_4cb32604b1_b.jpg And if it helps, I do have an SLR with a 50mm so I don't think the lens is the issue.

  • Answer:

    Chances are that photographer has paid someone to edit the image professionally. Smooth the skin out a bit, soften things up. Your image is not at all bad. I understand you want something similar but if you spend all your time trying to copy others you're never going to get anywhere. It just doesn't work and where's the satisfaction of copying others? Stick to your own style, perfect that. Trust me, you'll be a lot happier in the end than constantly comparing your images to pros.

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that looks to have been done in photoshop

The_Castaway

Outdoor fill flash is tricky. I suspect your example was on an overcast day. The reflection in the eye points towards a big lightsource just next to the photographer. I suspect some lastolite screen was used. I've seen Joe Mcnally demonstrate those things: http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/5215456804/

Jeroen Wijnands

The example you posted appears to be an overcast day, and strobes of some sort were probably used to light the subjects using umbrellas as a diffuser. Your photo looks washed out because the sun appears to be lower, so you're getting lens flare.

quikdash6

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