[Leica] [img] is this light too soft?

[rbrowne1 at mindspring.com (Robert Browne)]

Kyle,

I used to use a small (about 24" or so) silver or white umbrella for 
B&W portraits with film for lighting similar to what I believe you are 
going after. Up close and at a 45 or greater degree angle. You'll get 
light falloff if very close but that's OK if details other than the 
face aren't as important. You can adjust the coverage by changing the 
distance of the light head to the umbrella. It can be a bit 
unflattering but great for character faces. Turn a four year old into 
Harry Dean Stanton. I wish I had an example to show you but none of my 
old negs/prints have been scanned. Also be careful if using any 
reflector(s) as their effect with this lighting becomes more obvious 
than usual. I'm sure you'll figure out something that will work 
perfectly for you.

Robert

Kyle Cassidy wrote:

I'm thinking of doing a series of studio portraits of "heroes" -- 
doctors, firefighters, police -- people who for one reason or another 
put their lives at risk to protect others.

i'd like to have a sort of "standard" portrait lighting for all of 
them, and was kicking around the 63 inch photek softlighter II as big 
enough and soft enough (and easy enough to set up) -- but looking at 
last nights tests on trillian:

  http://www.kylecassidy.com/lj/2008/trill-sb1.jpg

  http://www.kylecassidy.com/lj/2008/trill-sb3.jpg

i'm wondering if it's just _too_ soft -- i'd like some sharper shadows 
on interesting faces and i'm wondering if it would be better to move 
to:

  a) a smaller umbrella

  b) a softbox

  c) "window light" is not an answer here, thank you for trying though.

  i'm afraid if i go to too small an umbrella, if just won't have the 
coverage to get "head to waist". gak.

what are your favorite ways to light interesting faces with wrinkles & 
character? i fear i've been photographing models too long, trying to 
get RID of wrinkles and character ..... i want their faces to tell the 
story, if you know what i mean....


kc