Studio Setup Trial Shoot - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

01/08/2007 08:21:42 AM · #1

Last night I did a dry run of setting up my "portable" studio kit and took a few test shots. One reason I setup the kit was to get an idea of what I might be missing and a few ideas about properly setting up the lighting.

Lacking any other models, I used the two objects above. How's my lighting? Decent? Needs work?

The backdrop is a roll of slightly off white backdrop seamless paper.

This is what I learned that I need to acquire...

Clamps. I need clamps to hold the roll of paper together so it doesn't continue to unravel.

Weights.I also need at least two, possibly three clean sand or plastic covered weights to hold the paper in place on the floor.

More Lights. I currently have just one Alien Bees kit and I used two of those inexpensive clamping lights that you can stuff 100-watt bulbs into. I used one of these clamped onto the legs of one of the backdrop stands, to give a little light behind the subject to take care of shadows from the strobe and my helper held one from above, ponting behind Elmo.

More Space. I setup everything up in my basement. Unfortunately, the area that was available is cramped and thus I was right on top of the subject, the lighting was right on top of the subject and everything was just to blasted cramped.

TrynityRose

Nikon D100

01/08/2007 09:34:35 AM · #2

Looks underexposed and slightly blue.

Your light looks like it's coming from the right. Do you have a reflector on the other side? If the subjects are far enough from the background you shouldnt have to worry too much about shadows.

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/08/2007 09:59:19 AM · #3

You should try not to mix different kinds of lights as this would definitely give a color cast. Use a reflector, or make one using a board and aluminium foil.

Elmakias

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/08/2007 10:06:54 AM · #4

idk much about studios
but it seems alittle on the dark side
IMO

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/08/2007 10:42:39 AM · #5

Originally posted by ignite:

You should try not to mix different kinds of lights as this would definitely give a color cast. Use a reflector, or make one using a board and aluminium foil.

So, don't even bother with other light sources, just the single strobe and a reflector?

I'll have to see if I can work that out this week.

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/08/2007 02:16:42 PM · #6

Originally posted by Nelzie:

Originally posted by ignite:
You should try not to mix different kinds of lights as this would definitely give a color cast. Use a reflector, or make one using a board and aluminium foil.

So, don't even bother with other light sources, just the single strobe and a reflector?

I'll have to see if I can work that out this week.

Exactly. Depending on your strobe and how much power you have, in a small space all you need is reflectors and one strobe. People do portraits with reflectors and a single strobe in large studios too. You just need to practice with it.

smyk

Nikon D200

01/08/2007 02:25:21 PM · #7

Ok, this might sounds stupid, but what it s STROBE light? When i hear strobe, i imagine, the black box with white light that blinks really fast in clubs and somehow i doubt that's it.

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

01/08/2007 02:28:59 PM · #8

Originally posted by smyk:

Ok, this might sounds stupid, but what it s STROBE light? When i hear strobe, i imagine, the black box with white light that blinks really fast in clubs and somehow i doubt that's it.

A strobe is another name for a flash unit. It's the opposite of a continuous light source - it flashes to emit its light source when the shutter is released.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

01/08/2007 02:52:03 PM · #9

Originally posted by ignite:

You should try not to mix different kinds of lights as this would definitely give a color cast. Use a reflector, or make one using a board and aluminium foil.

You will get a color cast, unless you correct one source to be the same color temp as the other. Usually, that's done by placing a gel over the strobe to balance it with tungsten.

A reflector will make a good fill, You don't even have to bother with the foil, just use a big white card.

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/08/2007 03:16:48 PM · #10

Originally posted by Louis:

Originally posted by smyk:
Ok, this might sounds stupid, but what it s STROBE light? When i hear strobe, i imagine, the black box with white light that blinks really fast in clubs and somehow i doubt that's it.

A strobe is another name for a flash unit. It's the opposite of a continuous light source - it flashes to emit its light source when the shutter is released.

Yup. Your Alien Bees is a strobe. Your usual bulbs, work lights, lamps etc are "hot lights", that is they give off light continuously and get hot. Strobes just let out a lotta light in a very small amount of time. A white card will work very well as a reflector too. Depends on the situation.

01/08/2007 04:13:07 PM · #11

I do have a collapsable reflector that I can use and I could also setup my hammerhead flash to act as a slave or switch around the strobe to kick out a low-power flash from behind my subject.

01/15/2007 06:50:01 AM · #12

Here's one of the pictures from the photo shoot I was talking about.

Details of the shot are in the description. (I really do think I may need another light.)

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 for Canon

01/15/2007 07:02:46 AM · #13

Here is a closer crop of the previously uploaded image.

BethieB

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

01/15/2007 08:53:08 AM · #14

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by ignite:
You should try not to mix different kinds of lights as this would definitely give a color cast. Use a reflector, or make one using a board and aluminium foil.

You will get a color cast, unless you correct one source to be the same color temp as the other. Usually, that's done by placing a gel over the strobe to balance it with tungsten.

A reflector will make a good fill, You don't even have to bother with the foil, just use a big white card.

sorry for more newbie questions but define "big white card"... do you mean like posterboard???

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

01/15/2007 09:45:48 AM · #15

Yes.

Bright white, this would "bounce" back the light that hits it.

TrynityRose

Nikon D100

01/15/2007 10:43:24 AM · #16

Originally posted by Nelzie:

Here's one of the pictures from the photo shoot I was talking about.

Details of the shot are in the description. (I really do think I may need another light.)

Are you using a light meter? Part of the underexposure could be because you're using f/22.

PhotoFlex has some lighting lessons that could help, including a fair number of one light/reflector combinations.

TrynityRose

Nikon D100

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

01/15/2007 11:01:19 AM · #17

You're always going to need some PS work. The above took only a few minutes, but clearly it would be easier and quicker if you got the lighting sorted out too.

Message edited by author 2007-01-15 11:01:51.

01/15/2007 11:14:04 AM · #18

Originally posted by TrynityRose:

You're always going to need some PS work. The above took only a few minutes, but clearly it would be easier and quicker if you got the lighting sorted out too.

My backdrop isn't pure white.

It's slightly off-white.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

01/15/2007 11:48:45 AM · #19

Originally posted by skinnere:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by ignite:
You should try not to mix different kinds of lights as this would definitely give a color cast. Use a reflector, or make one using a board and aluminium foil.

You will get a color cast, unless you correct one source to be the same color temp as the other. Usually, that's done by placing a gel over the strobe to balance it with tungsten.

A reflector will make a good fill, You don't even have to bother with the foil, just use a big white card.

sorry for more newbie questions but define "big white card"... do you mean like posterboard???

Yes, or whatever you have that will work