Metering with two lights or more

[Ronnie99]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

 

[Ellis Vener]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

I always meter with all lights, so I am measuring the cumulative effect.

Also, do not get hung up on fixed ratios like 2:1 (key: fill). Instead, use a balance to start and then adjust the fill light up or down until the result looks best to your eyes.
Don't forget that you can control the quality of the fill light by changing its size, distance from the subject, and angle to the subject.

While you are experimenting, You might even experiment with subtle color differences between the key and fill light; for example, set your white balance for the key light and use 1/4 CTB or other blue gel on the fill, or conversely use a 1/4, 1/2, or full CTO gel on the key and no gel on the fill light. When processing, set the white balance for the key light, the fill light, or somewhere between.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

I don't think or meter in ratios; I think, meter, and adjust in f-stops instead. This was something I learned a long time ago from Scott Smith's once-famous practical manual on studio lighting - it's a lot more straightforward.

I meter at the subject one light at a time initially, but when taking subsequent readings I don't turn off the other lights as long as I can shield the other lights with my body, after which I then take an overall incident reading. Luckily I use a wireless flash remote that can also meter and set the light power remotely in f-stops, but that's not required, it's just a convenience.

Mike

 

[Don89]

I don't think or meter in ratios; I think, meter, and adjust in f-stops instead. This was something I learned a long time ago from Scott Smith's once-famous practical manual on studio lighting - it's a lot more straightforward.

I meter at the subject one light at a time initially, but when taking subsequent readings I don't turn off the other lights as long as I can shield the other lights with my body, after which I then take an overall incident reading. Luckily I use a wireless flash remote that can also meter and set the light power remotely in f-stops, but that's not required, it's just a convenience.

Mike

 

[Ronnie99]

I don't think or meter in ratios; I think, meter, and adjust in f-stops instead. This was something I learned a long time ago from Scott Smith's once-famous practical manual on studio lighting - it's a lot more straightforward.

I meter at the subject one light at a time initially, but when taking subsequent readings I don't turn off the other lights as long as I can shield the other lights with my body, after which I then take an overall incident reading. Luckily I use a wireless flash remote that can also meter and set the light power remotely in f-stops, but that's not required, it's just a convenience.

Mike

Me too. I did learn to wear a gray or dark colored shirt so it won’t reflect into the meter as I get meter readings.

Thanks so much everyone! Can't wait to try all of your suggestions out.

 

[BAK]

Put a human on a stool, looking directly at a camera.

Put a light beside the person, pointing directly at the camera-left ear, so it illuminates the camera-left ear, temple, shoulder, etc.

Put a second light pointing directly at the camera-right ear.

Set the camera-left light at full power.

Set the camera-right light at half power.

Put a flash meter over top of the camera-left ear, pointing toward the camera-left flash, and place a hand beside the head so no light from the camera-right flash will hit it.

Set off the camera-left flash and read the aperture the meter tells you that you need.

Set the camera-left flash at this aperture and set the camera right flash at one stop less.

Take a picture.

The camera-left side should be properly exposed and the camera-right side should be one stop darker.

ADJUSTMENTS: If the picture is too bright, turn down the camera-left power level, and turn down the camera right power level one stop more than the left-side level.

Move the flashes closer to or farther away from the ears to make more adjustments, and twist or turn or otherwise alter the light path to adjust shadows.

BAK

 

[Ryan Steel]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

 

[Ronnie99]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

 

[Ryan Steel]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

Thanks so much. I've watched many tutorials and have never heard anyone talk about metering the combined output. Can't wait to try this tomorrow

How did it go?

 

[Ronnie99]

Thanks for checking in. I've not been busy and haven't been able to respond. I hope to be able to post a few images by the end of the week.

 

[A-Marc]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

you meter towards the light when you meter the light seperate ? or do you meter towards the lens ?

thanks marc

 

[Michael Firstlight]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

you meter towards the light when you meter the light seperate ? or do you meter towards the lens ?

thanks marc

Towards the camera/lens.

 

[Don89]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

you meter towards the light when you meter the light seperate ? or do you meter towards the lens ?

thanks marc

Meter each light separately point meter to the light. You can do a final to-the-camera check last.

For example, the below shot used 6 strobes. A week before the shoot, I designed the shoot on paper, position of the lights and power. Once at the location, I set up and metered each strobe separately from where the strobe would illuminate - pointing the meter to the flash and dialing up the power as designed. I could then move around the set and shoot all sorts of angles and compositions as the metering was done already. Each strobe was gridded. I don't use TTL. I shoot manually for Maximum control.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

you meter towards the light when you meter the light seperate ? or do you meter towards the lens ?

thanks marc

Meter each light separately point meter to the light. You can do a final to-the-camera check last.

For example, the below shot used 6 strobes. A week before the shoot, I designed the shoot on paper, position of the lights and power. Once at the location, I set up and metered each strobe separately from where the strobe would illuminate - pointing the meter to the flash and dialing up the power as designed. I could then move around the set and shoot all sorts of angles and compositions as the metering was done already. Each strobe was gridded. I don't use TTL. I shoot manually for Maximum control.

Thanks, correct, I should have qualified mine as to the lens for taking exposure in my response. to measure the relative light output meter towards the light.

Mike

--
The one thing everyone can agree on is that film photography has its negatives. It even has its positives and internegatives.

 

[A-Marc]

thanks for your detailed reply.

 

[Teila Day]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering.

Best practice is whatever floats your boat... whatever works best for y-o-u.

If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

You can meter each light to a predetermined spec (e.g. you've written down what you like from a previous shoot-- distance to the subject, power setting when shooting at f/10, and how much ambient-to-flash you may want, etc..)

Photography is subjective, it's about what lighting you find attractive.

Sometimes what's important to me is the flash to ambient ratio - I may want 60% flash, but that's simply an aesthetic that I may prefer at any given time; I may want no more than 20% flash to ambient if I'm shooting say, a soft nude in a barn or against a large window. It's all up to you.

Thanks

I always meter with all lights, so I am measuring the cumulative effect.

Also, do not get hung up on fixed ratios like 2:1 (key: fill). Instead, use a balance to start and then adjust the fill light up or down until the result looks best to your eyes. Don't forget that you can control the quality of the fill light by changing its size, distance from the subject, and angle to the subject.

Ellis hit the nail on the head.

 

[Ronnie99]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

Thanks so much. I've watched many tutorials and have never heard anyone talk about metering the combined output. Can't wait to try this tomorrow

How did it go?

Ryan,



Thanks for checking in. I took these pictures and I can´t help to see the big hot spot on my forehead, as well as in my opinion some pretty unnatural skin tones. Too much orange. . used a 2x3 softbox and a umbrella with diffusion on camera axis for fill. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thank you all

 

[Don89]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

Thanks so much. I've watched many tutorials and have never heard anyone talk about metering the combined output. Can't wait to try this tomorrow

How did it go?

Ryan,

Thanks for checking in. I took these pictures and I can´t help to see the big hot spot on my forehead, as well as in my opinion some pretty unnatural skin tones. Too much orange. . used a 2x3 softbox and a umbrella with diffusion on camera axis for fill. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thank you all

Nice composition. If you’re concerned over skin tone, try a WhiBal card to white balance the work.



--
I am the copyright owner of my work. Please don’t take or alter my images.

 

[Ronnie99]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about adding a second or third light to my studio portraits and I'm not sure what's the best practice as far as metering. If I am going for a 2:1 ratio my key meters at F8 and then when I take my meter reading for my fill, should I turn off my key light to meter for the fill or should I meter with both lights firing and meter to 5.6 on the fill side?

Thanks

Always meter the lights separately otherwise your readings will include incident light from another flash, totally defeating your purpose. Once you have each flash set, meter the combined output. Adjust all flashes together up or down to achieve a proper meter reading on your subject while maintaining the ratios. The latter is very easy with a digital trigger.

Thanks so much. I've watched many tutorials and have never heard anyone talk about metering the combined output. Can't wait to try this tomorrow

How did it go?

Ryan,

Thanks for checking in. I took these pictures and I can´t help to see the big hot spot on my forehead, as well as in my opinion some pretty unnatural skin tones. Too much orange. . used a 2x3 softbox and a umbrella with diffusion on camera axis for fill. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thank you all

Nice composition. If you’re concerned over skin tone, try a WhiBal card to white balance the work.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I´m trying to get better at composition

 

[A-Marc]

i d suggest to lower the modifier, so you will get prominent catchlights in your eyes.

further i think seperation from the background would add dimension. tiny spill on the background could help with that.

white balance with a gray card or better a whibal as don mentioned or a color checker passport can bring you into right direction. i think its hard to look at its own skin tone, i have the feeling its the same as when your hear your own voice on a record.

i personally dont care about that hot spot, i try to get them in my self portraits, but i fail cause i am pale like mozarella cheese.

taking self portraits for learning is quite hard job to do, keep it up and enjoy it. sometimes it does help me when i try and look at my self portraits as if it werent me, its easier to PP.

laters Marc