spotlight effect?

[karin l]

Hi all
hope you can help me with this problem
I am struggling to get this image to look as though the guy is spotlit.
This is my attempt so far
It looks v bad to me
help?
what am I doing wrong?
k

[pixelzombie]

the shadow makes him appear as if he is right next to the curtain which wouldn't be the case, try make a cast shadow to give it more depth...

[WishfulPixel]

I would also try to add some contrast to the face area. He looks pretty flat and washed out.

It might help him jive with the rich color in the background better.

[des151]

Hi Karin,
This might be of some interest to you. www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html (lighting with layers)

Ray

[Alison]

Hi Karin,

The background blinds don't work for me. If the guy was on stage, there would more than likely be velvet type curtains and the spotlight. Perhaps the spotlight effect would work more successfully on a plainer backdrop with a blur filter.

If you like the blind effect, disregard what I just said

[Dave.Cox]

The back ground is a matter of choice, but It should have a shadow on it, consistent with the direction of the spot light. The same is true for the shadows on the subject. The spotlight appears to be coming from the front and high, yet the shadows on the subject look like the light is coming from the right. Observe the position of the shadows, and highlight on the face, and by the left arm, shoulder, and in front of the arm to see clues.

[Toilet]

I agree with Pixlezombie. Shadow depth was the first thing that came to mind when I saw it.

[pellepiano]

The image is not suitable for a spotlight effect as he is lit by a totally different lightsource to begin with. A spotlight is non diffused light and will create a lot more contrast and harder shadows.