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11/12/2005 11:03:32 PM · #1 |
Hello DPC wonders. I would like some help. This year I have decided I wanted to take some "professional" studio pictures for our christmas cards. I have built what I have dubbed a poor mans studio. And am using 3 100 watt lights with sheets as diffusers, and one sheet as a backdrop. My problem is when I use bounce flash they are way too bright, and when I dont use the bounce flash I end up with some unwanted shadows on the face. Can I get the shadows out of this pic by using bounce flash with a diffuser? Or do you have any suggestions on how to make it better. Please keep in mind I cant spend a fortune and I need to get this done in the next 14 days to get them printed in time to send out in our cards. Here is the picture and thanks for your time.
Edit to add photo with Bounce flash pic.
MattO
Message edited by author 2005-11-13 00:00:12. |
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11/12/2005 11:09:06 PM · #2 |
you can bounce the flash, but you need AT LEAST a speedlight..preferably off-camera.
Softer light comes from LARGER sources...if you reflect, the source then becomes the size of the reflector (assuming it reflects about evenly on it and not like a spotlight).
Alien Bee's are fairly cheap and you can buy a half-decent kit for around $300 (I don't know if that's an option for you).
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Ahh just read where you can't spend that much...
All you have is the on-camera flash? hrmm..you have to somehow increase the size of your source...or put your source closer to your subject.
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11/12/2005 11:10:42 PM · #3 |
Explain again your lighting....
From what you wrote, this is what i understand>
Three 100 watt lights, incandescent? Behind sheets. This would be VERY little total light.
Bounced flash...what flash? on the camera, off the camera ??
Too bright? Try a smaller aperture, lower iso or both.
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11/12/2005 11:17:05 PM · #4 |
Ok sorry, maybe I need to upload one that I used bounce flash with. I am using a Hotshoe FL36 when I bounce flash. And it just seems way too bright. I will download one of the bounce flash ones and add it to the original post. Thanks for the ideas and please keep them coming.
In essence I have a large softbox built with the sides and the top covered with white sheets. The back is a blue sheet used as a backdrop. I have a 100 watt incandescent from the top and one 100 watt incandescent on each side, about 2 foot of the ground and he is sitting on a small stool making the side lights just a little lower then he is.
Edit to add that the picture in the original thread is with no flash whatsoever, that is the lighting I have set up.
MattO
Message edited by author 2005-11-12 23:27:12. |
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11/12/2005 11:17:20 PM · #5 |
Ya know, the lighting is not that bad with what you have.
If you want to give it an back light to give an edge on the child, that may look nice, but this is not answering your question.
A DP on a commercial, in the industry I represent and am burnt out with, once use everyday newspaper over a soft box claiming that the ink and the paper gave more warms and diffusion from the light.
Bounce from the diffuser, put some newspaper over the flash.
I am an advocate to the poor mans lighting process, and home depot is the place for the poor man.
You might even try a 3200 K flouresent (spelling)to help accomplish your goal.
If you want more details, and some lighting set up examples, PM me with your email.
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11/12/2005 11:33:50 PM · #6 |
ONe issue you will have is the light color - the incadscent are yellow, the flash white/bluish (daylight). Unless you custom WB for these lights you will get a color cast that is nearly impossible to remove.
100w has to about useless. I have used 2000 watts of halogen lights and needed 1/60 sec or more to get shots.
 1/30 sec f3.6 iso 160
This one was more reasonable at 1.180 f3.2 ISO200
This is what flash can do - if you have enough lights in enough places
 
Both in the f7-f9 at 1/200 ISO 100 or 200.
Your shot does not look too bad as it is - try more exposure (longer, wider ap or higher iso). Either rearrange teh lights or add another incandescent aimed at the face or on the face side use 2 100watt lights.
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11/12/2005 11:41:24 PM · #7 |
I don't think the lighting is that bad either. I am no expert on this but I have been reading a lot about portraiture. I think the main light (light on your left) should be a little higher and maybe closer to the camera (it looks to be about 60 degrees out from the model) Maybe try about 45 degrees. Then move the fill light (light on right) a little further back.
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11/13/2005 12:56:10 PM · #8 |
Ok well after looking at some of your repsonses, and taking some advice, I purchased a 1000 watt lighting kit, that has 2 500 watt lights on stands one has a white umbrella and the other has a silver reflector. I am going to get them here this week and try again. I realize that my lighting techniques are not the best, however we all have to start somewhere. And thats where I am currently at the start. Thanks for the input and the push to get some bright lighting to make better studio style photos.
MattO |
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11/13/2005 03:09:01 PM · #9 |
Yep, we all have to start somewhere, that is how we learn.
Even if you had an unimited budget, you'd have to learn how to use the equipment you could buy, so you'd be no farther ahead that you are now.
If it is hard to acheive, the lesson is better learned.
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11/13/2005 03:37:23 PM · #10 |
I don't think your lighting is that bad,,,just play with it a bit. I know it is hard to do when working with kids! (he is very cute) Also, you might want to try to move your subject further away from the backdrop.
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