Coping without a modeling light for the addicted

[Travis Burnside]

I've been shooting in the studio off and on for about 20 years now. I've always had AC-powered monolights of one sort or another, so I've gotten real used to always having modeling lights.

I donated that gear to a local school's photography program. I'm now running with just a few AD200 Pro Mark 1s. Modeling light options are .... limited. I do have the dual power head with its LEDs, and that seems to work well enough when I bring it along. But if I want full/balanced modeling light, I'm tying up two lights even if I don't need the power.

So, well, whatever, it is what it is, and I knew what I was getting into. But any tips to help out when shooting without modeling light? I mean, I know how to rough lights in blind. But it's the little things, like making sure a catchlight is still contained in the eye.

Or am I just going to be chimping a lot more than I'm used to?

 

[NAwlins Contrarian]

I've been shooting in the studio off and on for about 20 years now. I've always had AC-powered monolights of one sort or another, so I've gotten real used to always having modeling lights.

I donated that gear to a local school's photography program. I'm now running with just a few AD200 Pro Mark 1s. Modeling light options are .... limited. I do have the dual power head with its LEDs, and that seems to work well enough when I bring it along. But if I want full/balanced modeling light, I'm tying up two lights even if I don't need the power.

So, well, whatever, it is what it is, and I knew what I was getting into. But any tips to help out when shooting without modeling light? I mean, I know how to rough lights in blind. But it's the little things, like making sure a catchlight is still contained in the eye.

Or am I just going to be chimping a lot more than I'm used to?

At the risk of stating the obvious, instead of your AD200s, would you be happier with one or a few AD300s or AD400s? Depending on how much modeling light output you need, the AD300 has a 12 W LED and the AD400 has a 30W LED modeling light. You'd remain free from power cords, and your existing system (e.g. triggers and even AD200s) would integrate seamlessly.

Godox seems to be transitioning to Mark II versions. B&H has specials with an AD300 kit for a bit less than the monolight alone used to cost, and an AD400 kit for $99 less than the monolight alone used to cost.

 

[Travis Burnside]

Yeah, it probably makes the most sense to pick one of those up for a main, where placement is most critical. Thanks for those links; I'll look at their specials.

 

[Rico Tudor]

Or am I just going to be chimping a lot more than I'm used to?

I just chimp like a fiend and count all the money I'm not giving to Polaroid! I get more use out of my most powerful modelling light (500W) by heating lunch.

 

[BAK]

A 5-inch or 7-inch monitor on top of your camera makes it a lot easier to see the results when chimping.

BAK

 

[Travis Burnside]

Adorama had a combo deal on a Flashpoint AD400 Pro, so I pulled the trigger to have a main with a real modeling light. I blame you. (kidding)

 

[Travis Burnside]

Now that's an idea I hadn't thought about - thanks!

 

[jlafferty]

Tether into Capture One.

Also… 90% of what we’re paid to shoot falls into just a handful of positions: centered over camera, 3:30/7:30, short lit. The rest is subject specific and easy to figure out if you stand at their position and look back at your light.

Also also… if I’m welcoming a subject and want to get down to business right away I will either have a stand in roughly their height and skin tone to test things out ahead, or I will use an Apple Box of their approximate skin tone and position it ontop of a stool or posing table and rough lighting in that way. You’d be surprised how close you can get.

--
http://jimlafferty.com
Evocative beats academic.

 

[Travis Burnside]

Oh, I can do standard portrait setups just about blind. But I do a lot of “creative” work where I want fairly precise light placement. Lighting is the fun part for me, so I just about always have some half-baked idea I’m trying out.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

Oh, I can do standard portrait setups just about blind. But I do a lot of “creative” work where I want fairly precise light placement. Lighting is the fun part for me, so I just about always have some half-baked idea I’m trying out

I was about to suggest shooting tethered, and this sounds like the place for it.

Tethering to a computer and monitor, or even a laptop with a good screen, will let you really see what you're doing. And share with your subject if you want. You may be able to automatically apply some presets, or do some adjustments on the spot.

If not a computer, even wifi to a tablet will give you a larger view.

FWIW, I think of the setup time and "chimping" as a chance to get acquainted and warm up the client/model. It gives them a few minutes to settle in and lets them get used to the flashing lights and general studio feel.

Gato

 

[Rico Tudor]

FWIW, I think of the setup time and "chimping" as a chance to get acquainted and warm up the client/model. It gives them a few minutes to settle in and lets them get used to the flashing lights and general studio feel.

I was legit adjusting light levels and panel placement. Told my model to relax for a minute while I rolled some stands around, and fired off test frames. This was one of them:



Would not have this image if I used modelling lights.

--
Canon, Nikon, Contax RTS, Leica M, Sony, Profoto

 

[Travis Burnside]

Beautiful. I will give some serious thought to shooting tethered - I've never actually tried it.

Your story reminds me of probably my favorite picture I've ever taken, which was a chimping accident/gift from the gods. Buddy and I were still fiddling around, dialing lights in. In a pause between, the model was standing like this, wrapped in a blanket to stay warm, lit by just the studio overhead. In a panic to not miss it, I flipped the camera to auto and took this:

 

[Rico Tudor]

... I flipped the camera to auto and took this:

Nice! What we don't achieve by intent, we may achieve by serendipity.