Haha, I know what you mean about getting lost in this place, I still do regularly when I have free time.

Well I must say that honesty is good but some people are too sensitive sometimes and take it way too personnal when there is critics (constructive ones included) to their work, even when they ask for it. ( Yes, art is very personnal and about emotion so being sensitive is natural...)
I didn't meet any problems like that up to this day (I try to put on my white gloves and be as tactful as I can when it's time to give critics) but I've seen some comments exchange getting pretty nasty. Most of the time I comment about the positive aspect of what I see and like so I admit I tend to play it safe to avoid those troubles.
I am maybe wrong but getting to know more about you, we may be going on the same boat I think, experiencing the same problems and walking in similar paths to reach our artistic views. Not so long ago I was in the same shoes as you when I found out about this place (and was a bit intimidated by all those excellent artists), so if you really want "nudges in the right (don't like the word, that's subjective) direction" from fellow deviants, I could give it a try from time to time. (but I can't be "brutal", just not my style. )

If you need help about anything feel free to ask and I'll do my best to give a hand with my limited ability.

All the best
PartisanX

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Je suis un homme de peu de mots...

I've seen a lot of complaining when it comes to what is available on dA. In my opinion people need to chill out and realize that this is an internet forum, there's going to be crap on here. Oh well... what can you do? I usually don't get involved either.. but every once in a while I feel the need to say something. I just make sure that I pick my words carefully.

Anyhow, thanks so much for the offer for advice and such. I'll probably take you up on that. I should probably practice my French a bit more too. You've been doing all your writing in English, I should make an effort too. Next time... I swear. I don't know where my Bescherelle is right now .

Oh yeah... my softbox is well on it's way. The materials for the box cost about $8 and the light was about $14. Not to shabby, eh?

Well...take it easy... good talking to ya.
Ryan-o

Haha, that's the problem with Bescherelle, I know I have one too but I don't have a beginning of a clue where it is! (last time I openned it must be about 15 years ago) lol
I don't mind writting in english don't worry. I've made huge progress (I hope! ) since the last months and now I don't have to open the translation dictionnary at every 3 words.

On the subject of critics, honest ones deserve to be answered, even when they're clumsily formulated. As for the simply mean ones, some people may need attention on themself and I think artists shouldn't respond to them... But I dunno, maybe that's easy to say, it never happened yet to me.

So as I said, I'll try to help if you need something but I am no pro, still in learning myself but there is maybe some part that I know as you can give me some pointers yourself too...

Let me know if the softbox you're making is working good.

Ok now that's all, ciao
Guy-o (hahaha)

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Je suis un homme de peu de mots...

Hey Dude,

I've got the softbox up and running. There's still a bit of a hotspot on it, but it's better than just straight light. I was wondering what you use for lighting in your indoor photos. Even with my new advances I'm still having issues.

One thing I noticed was that if I set the light to shine from a side angle it takes away the sting of the flash (should I choose to use it). I still prefer not to use the flash as it tends to be too bright. Ok.. I'm kinda rambling now. Take it easy.. I plan on checking out your new stuff soon.. but I'm just bagged right now. Gotta go

Hello, glad to hear that about your softbox.

I almost never use flash (for now I only have the built-in one of my digital camera so it's never too successful for the results), so I got myself a package of 3 (cheap but they work) 250 watts lamps on tripods and a (don't know the exact word) "reflection umbrella" to install on one of them for the filling light.
All in all they give good results but they're not too useful if we go to a place where there's no power supply or for night outdoor shoot...
Indoor photos have unfortunnately no miracle solutions, only experiments with what you have will give you satisfying light level to be comfortable to work, without going to extreme ISO sensibility. I still have some troubles sometimes finding the right light but I try to learn a thing at each shooting, positionning a spot in another angle or closer to the model (it's very hot too), adding a spot here or there and studying how it came out. That's all I can say, I never used a softbox so I can't really help on that, sorry...

Take it easy Pal
Guy

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Je suis un homme de peu de mots...