New to Studio Lighting - C&C welcome and wanted

I just recently got a starter lighting kit and even thou I'm still pretty scared of it I've actually open the box and given it a go. Please let me know what you think and how I can improve.

Canon 40D
SS 1/50
f/3.5
ISO 160

Canon 40D
SS 1/40
F/3.5
ISO 160

Canon 40D
SS 1/50
F/3.5
ISO 160

First light is in the left front corner, pointed 45 degrees down toward subject. Second light is in back right corner pointed at about 35 degree angle down skimming back drop paper, also it's powered down a little compaired to the first. Both umbrella lights, shot into umbrellas and bounced back toward subject.

Your on your way to "stardom" . . . . . Mom with a Camera !
Your models are very cooperative too !

(could you please retouch the little red marks out around
the mouth of portrait #1) ?

GT . . . . .

Don't you just love the white seamless backdrops. What system did you go with?

Wow! These are really great! nice and sharp.

Gary Trent photography wrote: Your on your way to "stardom" . . . . . Mom with a Camera !
Your models are very cooperative too !

(could you please retouch the little red marks out around
the mouth of portrait #1) ?

GT . . . . .

Thanks, ya I missed the candy cane stain. I was all excited about them actually posing for me, lol.

PNMBritt wrote: Don't you just love the white seamless backdrops. What system did you go with?

It's a continuous lighting kit from Cowboy Studios, it came with a muslin backdrop but purchased a smoke grey paper backdrop instead, I like the look of the paper a lot more.

I think you did an excellent job!
BTW, I love your signature..just a mom with a camera.

D3pr355 wrote: I think you did an excellent job!
BTW, I love your signature..just a mom with a camera.

Thank you!

Ya I figured I'd embrace it and run: with it.

You did a really good job. How long have you been shooting portraits?

Beautiful work!!! Keep shooting and experimenting with different setups.

This is actually my speciality, I think you have done yourself proud, clean background, good posing, good lighting although I would turn down that main light just a touch as its burning out the skin too much, the smoke grey is the best background ever as you can get a black, grey or white background with it and if you purchase some colored gels then you could have any color B/G you wanted.
The name I am not to keen on, a lot of people will think you are not professional enough for them if you are clearly advertising that you are just a mom with a camera, although your photography says otherwise.
Post more please I enjoyed these, by the way keep the lipstick smears as they are that is how most young girls end up anyway and it shows their fun side.

Bobby wrote: You did a really good job. How long have you been shooting portraits?

Thank you.

I got my 40D 16 months ago, really started to take learning seriously about a year ago and switched off auto and turned to manual. I haven't tried anything with lights until my husband got me this 2 light starter kit for christams. These where from my 3rd try with them.

Please forgive any typos, I'm on my phone.

photobod wrote: This is actually my speciality, I think you have done yourself proud, clean background, good posing, good lighting although I would turn down that main light just a touch as its burning out the skin too much, the smoke grey is the best background ever as you can get a black, grey or white background with it and if you purchase some colored gels then you could have any color B/G you wanted.
The name I am not to keen on, a lot of people will think you are not professional enough for them if you are clearly advertising that you are just a mom with a camera, although your photography says otherwise.
Post more please I enjoyed these, by the way keep the lipstick smears as they are that is how most young girls end up anyway and it shows their fun side.

Thank you. I'l turn down the main light next time and see how it looks.

I'm not a professional, never had a client. I truley am Just A Mom With A Camera. I am no where ready to hang a shingle and call myself a business, and I at this time I have no desire to take on clients, the scare me more than studio lighting.

MWAC wrote:

photobod wrote: This is actually my speciality, I think you have done yourself proud, clean background, good posing, good lighting although I would turn down that main light just a touch as its burning out the skin too much, the smoke grey is the best background ever as you can get a black, grey or white background with it and if you purchase some colored gels then you could have any color B/G you wanted.
The name I am not to keen on, a lot of people will think you are not professional enough for them if you are clearly advertising that you are just a mom with a camera, although your photography says otherwise.
Post more please I enjoyed these, by the way keep the lipstick smears as they are that is how most young girls end up anyway and it shows their fun side.

Thank you. I'l turn down the main light next time and see how it looks.

I'm not a professional, never had a client. I truley am Just A Mom With A Camera. I am no where ready to hang a shingle and call myself a business, and I at this time I have no desire to take on clients, the scare me more than studio lighting.

I can honestly say that you appear to be very competent with your camera and lighting, why not try a few friends kids out first or some relatives kids and advance yourself along that way, I see no reason why you couldnt make a living out of photographing children, just my opinion of course.

If you dont mind me asking....Which setup did you purchase from Cowboy Studios? I am also new at lighting and am trying to find something affordable and worth the money.

Great job!
I am interested in knowing where you got your backdrop from? Maybe you can tell me also specifically "what it is.?"
I mean I know it is grey paper, but more specifically.