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01/28/2012 09:52:47 PM · #1 |
I am doing a shoot using a Profoto D1 500 W system.
I will be shooting individual families (mostly kids in twos and threes)
and I will be shooting groups of up to 15 kids in on sitting.
Going to go through tons of families 150-200 possible.
It was suggested that I use two large soft boxes, Using one for the small groups and Two for the large groups.
Prior shoots (not me) has been somewhat blan blan too much highlight no shadows etc.
Its in a gymnasium, but I might be able to move it off to a school room if the floods in the gym are a problem.
I want to add some definition and creativity to the lighting, and I am afaid if I go with large softboxes I will just cover them too much with light.
Wondering if I should go with umbrellas instead?
Any and all suggestions welcome. thx!
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01/28/2012 10:42:28 PM · #2 |
I have the same lights! I don't use softboxes (I know, sacrilege!!!) because they're such a pain to set up. So far, my umbrellas have been good enough, extremely comparable. However, I don't think the problem with prior images was the modifiers, but the photog's settings and/or pp'ing.
Also, that's a LOT of shooting, and a LOT of families. I'm suspecting that they're going to want good photos, not "creative" lighting. As long as the strobe output is greater than the overhead lights, they should not be a problem, and I imagine at least some of them can be turned off. I think the gym space will give you a lot of flexibility, and if you place them far enough from the walls, would avoid casting shadows - something that for a family (or two) would be nearly impossible with only two lights in a smaller room.
On the other hand, if the classroom is large enough, photogenic, and has windows, that might be very cool. Unless you're shooting at night. If there's sunlight, just fill on the darker side would be somewhat "creative".
Just my 2 cents. |
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01/28/2012 10:42:51 PM · #3 |
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01/28/2012 11:05:08 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Namnips:
I am doing a shoot using a Profoto D1 500 W system.
Any and all suggestions welcome. thx! |
Use whichever you prefer. They will both soften the light.
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01/28/2012 11:13:13 PM · #5 |
thanks Tanguera, there are some larger classrooms,
I will be using a 12 X 20 backdrop and stands.
I agree classroom could be tricky, but I am used to working in a studio.
I am thinking the softboxes are overkill, the folk I am renting from suggested two huge boxes, but I am used to using one large (fill) and one very small (main).
Perhaps it is pping, I plan to do the group shots justice with plently of pping. Then prehaps trying to build and record some actions for the rest (and believe it or not I plan to shoot raw).
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01/29/2012 04:43:55 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Namnips:
thanks Tanguera, there are some larger classrooms,
I will be using a 12 X 20 backdrop and stands.
I agree classroom could be tricky, but I am used to working in a studio.
I am thinking the softboxes are overkill, the folk I am renting from suggested two huge boxes, but I am used to using one large (fill) and one very small (main).
Perhaps it is pping, I plan to do the group shots justice with plently of pping. Then prehaps trying to build and record some actions for the rest (and believe it or not I plan to shoot raw). |
If you are already planning plenty of PPing, it might be worth getting hold of Viveza 2 (if you don't have it already) even just on a 15day free trial. Gives you a ton of control over 'lighting' (luminosity levels) in post - especially if you are shooting in RAW. |
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02/05/2012 01:22:48 AM · #7 |
Thanks Paul, I am also looking for new tips and trick. Been messing with the D1 Air system it pretty awesome.
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02/05/2012 10:20:32 AM · #8 |
Ive been shooting sports portraits in a classroom and it is very frustrating. Too small and the ceiling is too low.
Shutter speed controls ambient light while aperture controls the strobes. You should be able to completely lose the gym lighting with a shutter speed of 1/250.
Also, I really doubt people want creative lighting. They want good lighting. And with that many people and groups you are better off doing plain "good" lighting.
I know it stiffles your creativity and you want to do so much more but from a practical aspect, you just can't if you want to make this profitable and keep your sanity. Save your creativity for another shoot.
Also, it is REALLY important to get everything right in camera so you don't need to do much pp. Trust me on this. You will be overwhelmed if you have to do a lot of pp on every picture.
Another bit of advice: make sure you use a custom white balance.
These are things I've learned from my first few shoots. The first time I about lost my sanity because I wanted to be creative and artsy and blah blah blah and figured I could fix some things in photoshop.
Good luck.
Oh and as to your original question: whatever you prefer :-) |
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