Reading mode: Light Dark

ok, have alien bees, now what?

Go to last post
D

digitalwannabe

Well-known member
Messages
240
Reaction score
0
Location
Dallas, TX, US
I've just received the following equipment:

(2) B800 flash
5 in one reflector
reflector bracket
20 color filters
30" x 60" softbox
48" silver/white umbrella
3.5' backlight stand
10' light stand
13' heavy duty stand

Also soon to arrive:
Sekonic L-358
Background Stand for paper roll

I also have an EF-500 DG Super flash that can act as a slave - and have a background stand

1. I'm interested in some lighting diagrams or suggestions for taking some dynamic/interesting looking shots of people (not the Walmart standard look).

2. I also want to shoot some small objects. Considering making a miniature seemless background with sides out of paper - and putting the light box over it.

But, when I look at what I have, there doesn't seem to be a way to hang the lightbox over something and point down. The reflector boom arm doesn't seem to have the right kind of connector to mount one of the strobes and light box.

Any idea on best way to jury rig using what I have? Maybe some kind of mounting bracket for the reflector boom arm (to connect the flash/lightbox) and add a counter weight attachment (are these commonly available?) to the end of the reflector boom arm so that I can hang it over the small objects (or over people).
--
Thanks
 
1) Assemble Equipment per instuction book
2) Put up one strobe & reflector
3) Place a subject
4) Fire the strobe, and take a meter reading
5) Set camera
6) Shoot
7) Download image and see what you have.

8) If happy, crop / Print , if not, adjust that one light and/or reflector, meter, shoot.
digitalWannabe said:
I've just received the following equipment:

(2) B800 flash
5 in one reflector
reflector bracket
20 color filters
30" x 60" softbox
48" silver/white umbrella
3.5' backlight stand
10' light stand
13' heavy duty stand

Also soon to arrive:
Sekonic L-358
Background Stand for paper roll

I also have an EF-500 DG Super flash that can act as a slave - and
have a background stand

1. I'm interested in some lighting diagrams or suggestions for
taking some dynamic/interesting looking shots of people (not the
Walmart standard look).

2. I also want to shoot some small objects. Considering making a
miniature seemless background with sides out of paper - and putting
the light box over it.

But, when I look at what I have, there doesn't seem to be a way to
hang the lightbox over something and point down. The reflector
boom arm doesn't seem to have the right kind of connector to mount
one of the strobes and light box.

Any idea on best way to jury rig using what I have? Maybe some
kind of mounting bracket for the reflector boom arm (to connect the
flash/lightbox) and add a counter weight attachment (are these
commonly available?) to the end of the reflector boom arm so that I
can hang it over the small objects (or over people).
--
Thanks
Click to expand...
--
Regards,
Phillip@keepsake
http://www.keepsakephotography.us
 
digitalWannabe said:
1. I'm interested in some lighting diagrams or suggestions for
taking some dynamic/interesting looking shots of people (not the
Walmart standard look).
Click to expand...
=====

That's a lot of equipment you have there...

Now what?

Now practise...

Pfiltz provided good advice. If you're starting out it's easy to over-complicate things with so many lights. Take it one step at a time and practise with one light until you get the hang of it.

You want ideas for interesting shots of people? They're all around you - read magazines, books, go to your library and borrow books by other photographers. Browse the web. Maybe start compiling a scrapbook of favourite photos from magazines.

Check out some of the famous photographers, like David Bailey, who has been primarily shooting portraits with just one light for 40 years.

Regards

Paul

--
Paul Jones
http://www.pauljones.org
 
Dude -- that's a fairly large softbox you have there -- you need a beefy boom, stand, and counterweight to hang it over stuff. It ends up being surprisingly heavy. The little booms that people use to clamp reflectors aren't even in the game.
digitalWannabe said:
I've just received the following equipment:

(2) B800 flash
5 in one reflector
reflector bracket
20 color filters
30" x 60" softbox
48" silver/white umbrella
3.5' backlight stand
10' light stand
13' heavy duty stand

Also soon to arrive:
Sekonic L-358
Background Stand for paper roll

I also have an EF-500 DG Super flash that can act as a slave - and
have a background stand

1. I'm interested in some lighting diagrams or suggestions for
taking some dynamic/interesting looking shots of people (not the
Walmart standard look).

2. I also want to shoot some small objects. Considering making a
miniature seemless background with sides out of paper - and putting
the light box over it.

But, when I look at what I have, there doesn't seem to be a way to
hang the lightbox over something and point down. The reflector
boom arm doesn't seem to have the right kind of connector to mount
one of the strobes and light box.

Any idea on best way to jury rig using what I have? Maybe some
kind of mounting bracket for the reflector boom arm (to connect the
flash/lightbox) and add a counter weight attachment (are these
commonly available?) to the end of the reflector boom arm so that I
can hang it over the small objects (or over people).
--
Thanks
Click to expand...
--

Regards,
Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pgrupp
 
pfiltz said:
digitalWannabe said:
I've just received the following equipment:

(2) B800 flash
5 in one reflector
reflector bracket
20 color filters
30" x 60" softbox
48" silver/white umbrella
3.5' backlight stand
10' light stand
13' heavy duty stand

Also soon to arrive:
Sekonic L-358
Background Stand for paper roll

I also have an EF-500 DG Super flash that can act as a slave - and
have a background stand

1. I'm interested in some lighting diagrams or suggestions for
taking some dynamic/interesting looking shots of people (not the
Walmart standard look).

2. I also want to shoot some small objects. Considering making a
miniature seemless background with sides out of paper - and putting
the light box over it.

But, when I look at what I have, there doesn't seem to be a way to
hang the lightbox over something and point down. The reflector
boom arm doesn't seem to have the right kind of connector to mount
one of the strobes and light box.

Any idea on best way to jury rig using what I have? Maybe some
kind of mounting bracket for the reflector boom arm (to connect the
flash/lightbox) and add a counter weight attachment (are these
commonly available?) to the end of the reflector boom arm so that I
can hang it over the small objects (or over people).
--
Thanks
Click to expand...
--
Regards,
Phillip@keepsake
http://www.keepsakephotography.us
Click to expand...
 
should start off on the right foot wouldn't ya say? ;)

I started with throwing all my gear at a portrait, or shot, now I use 1 to 2 lights 4 years later ;) If you can't master 1, you will no doubt not master 4.... lol

Hope all is well at your end BAZ
Barrie Davis said:
pfiltz said:
digitalWannabe said:
I've just received the following equipment:

(2) B800 flash
5 in one reflector
reflector bracket
20 color filters
30" x 60" softbox
48" silver/white umbrella
3.5' backlight stand
10' light stand
13' heavy duty stand

Also soon to arrive:
Sekonic L-358
Background Stand for paper roll

I also have an EF-500 DG Super flash that can act as a slave - and
have a background stand

1. I'm interested in some lighting diagrams or suggestions for
taking some dynamic/interesting looking shots of people (not the
Walmart standard look).

2. I also want to shoot some small objects. Considering making a
miniature seemless background with sides out of paper - and putting
the light box over it.

But, when I look at what I have, there doesn't seem to be a way to
hang the lightbox over something and point down. The reflector
boom arm doesn't seem to have the right kind of connector to mount
one of the strobes and light box.

Any idea on best way to jury rig using what I have? Maybe some
kind of mounting bracket for the reflector boom arm (to connect the
flash/lightbox) and add a counter weight attachment (are these
commonly available?) to the end of the reflector boom arm so that I
can hang it over the small objects (or over people).
--
Thanks
Click to expand...
--
Regards,
Phillip@keepsake
http://www.keepsakephotography.us
Click to expand...
--
Click to expand...
--
Regards,
Phillip@keepsake
http://www.keepsakephotography.us
 
I wonder how he arrived at ordering all of that equipment without some study of how to use it.
 
One of my best childhood memories was getting a Nikon F with a photomic FTN (I think it was called), honeywell strobonar 660, etc. with my Dad and developing film and pictures in a bathroom darkroom.

I guess I'd lke to re-experience some of that 35 years later.

I can write off the equipment for business - I design databases and web commerce sites - and some of my clients give me very poor images.

I already have shots planned for my web sites and my client's (just not the skills to produce them yet).

I know I got in over my head, but figured I'd just quit agonizing over what to buy and just go for overkill - and see what happens. It seemed like good equipment that would last.

I just added a boom arm and another light stand for the reflector (the background stand just wasn't going to cut it) today.

I think I'm done purchasing for a while.

Onwards thru the fog!!!
 
digitalWannabe said:
I already have shots planned for my web sites and my client's (just
not the skills to produce them yet).

I know I got in over my head, but figured I'd just quit agonizing
over what to buy and just go for overkill - and see what happens.
It seemed like good equipment that would last.
Click to expand...
--
Yes, Philip's advice was brief but to the point. {Thanks Philip, I'm fine.}

Ease yourself in gently, -- start off with one light and a reflector, and get that 'off pat' before moving on. (The Lord God Almighty manages to light the whole world with just one light and a few white reflectors!)

Add other lights as you need to, for the background? -- maybe a 'clip' light?

And use that tethered connection to review what you do as you go.

If you really have no inspiration, just do what artists have always done to improve their technique. COPY a picture you like, and copy it as closely as you can. You will learn a very great deal from doing that.

Regards,
Baz
 
Barrie - yes, Pfitz always has good advise and great pictures!

I've been lurking on this forum a while and have found all the posts invaluable - esp. the shots that included diagrams of studio setups.

It would be great if there were a book that just shot the same subjects over and over with different lighting, different lights, etc. and showed a diagram of the lighting with relative levels, etc. for each shot - along with shot of studio setup.

Kind of a 'high fashion photography in 30 days for dummies as seen on tv, new & improved'.

I might try to create some docs like this for my own use as I'm experimenting.

Thanks
 
http://sell-it-on-the-net.com/photo_guide/portrait_usage.htm
http://www.lightingmagic.com
http://www.geocities.com/glowluzid/portrait/portrait.html
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/1615.htm
http://www.seittipaja.fi/data/Photography_lessons/a_Photography_lessons.html
http://www.webphotoschool.com
http://www.photo.net/learn/
http://www.paguk.com/artoflighting2.htm
http://photographytips.com/page.cfm/368

Model Tips
http://www.stnphotography.com/tips.html
http://www.photo.net/studio/primer
http://groups.msn.com/Asktheoleproaboutphotography/joezeltsman.msnw

Background lighting & studio info:
http://www.lightingmagic.com/bkgndqa.htm
http://www.photo.net/studio/primer
http://jzportraits.home.att.net
http://davidweikel.com/E20_Page/alienbees/bees.shtml
http://www.romanzolin.com/techniques/potraiture/

Books
Tony L Corbell, Basic Stuidio Lighting
Steve Bavister, Lighting for Portrait Photography
J.J. Allen, Posing and Lighting Techniques for Studio Portrait Photography

Regards,
Mike

--
300D Gallery:
http://tkis.com/mike/

Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift. -- Albert Einstein

 
Here is a book I recently bought from Amazon.com. It is called

Photographing People: Portraits Fashion Glamour. Apparently it is a compilation of some earlier books in this series. I think the book has pretty much what you are looking for. Every photograph has a 3D drawing of the setup, a lighting diagram, and a detailed description of the shoth. There is even information on the exposure nad comments from the photographer where available.

I am just starting to study studio lighting and bought this book for inspiration after it was recommended to me by a gentleman at my local camera store.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/2880466520/102-7393555-2602527?%5Fencoding=UTF8

At $17.50, this book is worth it just for the photos.

Good luck,

Steve
digitalWannabe said:
Barrie - yes, Pfitz always has good advise and great pictures!

I've been lurking on this forum a while and have found all the
posts invaluable - esp. the shots that included diagrams of studio
setups.

It would be great if there were a book that just shot the same
subjects over and over with different lighting, different lights,
etc. and showed a diagram of the lighting with relative levels,
etc. for each shot - along with shot of studio setup.

Kind of a 'high fashion photography in 30 days for dummies as seen
on tv, new & improved'.

I might try to create some docs like this for my own use as I'm
experimenting.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Big 60" Umbrellas
Really large difussion panels
Beautiful Models
And Shooting ALOT

Check out my site for a few lighting ideas - I have been trying to add more:

http://www.blackdiamondproductions.net/lighting101/main.htm

http://www.blackdiamondproductions.net/d100info.htm

And hopefully post the shots for all to see - then get slammed by all with many good comments and the results will be worth the pain.

I have to say - I bought all the stuff originally also - now i shoot with usually 1-2 lights max and a big diffusion panel or just balanced ambient light to strobe. It gets to be a pain to lug all that stuff around... but when you need it its good to have it.

Example 1 light shots located here: Warning - they are a little glamour nothing to showy thou.

http://www.blackdiamondproductions.net/lighting101/examples.htm
digitalWannabe said:
I've just received the following equipment:

(2) B800 flash
5 in one reflector
reflector bracket
20 color filters
30" x 60" softbox
48" silver/white umbrella
3.5' backlight stand
10' light stand
13' heavy duty stand

Also soon to arrive:
Sekonic L-358
Background Stand for paper roll

I also have an EF-500 DG Super flash that can act as a slave - and
have a background stand

1. I'm interested in some lighting diagrams or suggestions for
taking some dynamic/interesting looking shots of people (not the
Walmart standard look).

2. I also want to shoot some small objects. Considering making a
miniature seemless background with sides out of paper - and putting
the light box over it.

But, when I look at what I have, there doesn't seem to be a way to
hang the lightbox over something and point down. The reflector
boom arm doesn't seem to have the right kind of connector to mount
one of the strobes and light box.

Any idea on best way to jury rig using what I have? Maybe some
kind of mounting bracket for the reflector boom arm (to connect the
flash/lightbox) and add a counter weight attachment (are these
commonly available?) to the end of the reflector boom arm so that I
can hang it over the small objects (or over people).
--
Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Brent - having the studio setup with the shots sure helps - and it's great that you are putting this together on your site.

I wanted to be able to blow out the white background as you did on many shots with 4 B800's, but with 2 B800's and the smaller Sigma - I guess I'll have to do that in Photoshop.

All were very well done, but somehow this shot caught my eye the most:



and the shots on that page didn't have a studio setup or comments.

Thanks for posting - certainly looks like you are on the way to having a killer site.
 
More than likely you can do it with two lights - you just have to be much more creative.... like going to the art store and buying FOAMCORE board to use as reflectors.

This is where finding an assistant job to an established photog reallly helps... then you learn all the secrets by actually doing them. That is how I learned ...

And the site is just there to help people because I got tired of reposting examples - now I just leave them there and have opened it up to others to post great examples of crazy lighting setups.

You just have to get comfortable with your equipment then you can worry about making great images.
digitalWannabe said:
Brent - having the studio setup with the shots sure helps - and
it's great that you are putting this together on your site.

I wanted to be able to blow out the white background as you did on
many shots with 4 B800's, but with 2 B800's and the smaller Sigma -
I guess I'll have to do that in Photoshop.
Click to expand...
 
Well, with the right gels and scrims, you could throw a great party!
--
The most dangerous plan is to leap a chasm in two jumps!
Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Outdoor lighting looks much better than my studio setup, help requested
Replies
7
Views
53K
rumple
rumple
Satyaa
Suggestions on my setup please
2
Replies
22
Views
14K
A74Me
A74Me
D
The Best Approach to Illuminate Groups of 10 People with Godox MS300v: Translucent Umbrella?
Replies
6
Views
5K
Ellis Vener
Ellis Vener
canoniteSG
Passport photos
Replies
11
Views
11K
Ellis Vener
Ellis Vener
B
Simple 5-Strobe Lighting Setup for Half-Body Headshots in a Low-Ceiling Studio
Replies
11
Views
5K
Rico Tudor
R

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top