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07/21/2004 11:29:10 AM · #1 |
| Hi all... sent an email to Alien Bees requesting info on the best set-up for still-life photography. Haven't heard back yet and I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced a slow response time to product inquiries? |
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07/21/2004 11:38:55 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by digistoune:
Hi all... sent an email to Alien Bees requesting info on the best set-up for still-life photography. Haven't heard back yet and I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced a slow response time to product inquiries? |
Their studio lights can be used for many purposes, including still life. The lighting setup would depend on many factors - what kind of still life, what lighting effect are you looking to achieve, the background and setting you intend to use, etc.
I have Alien Bees lights (B400, B800) and so far love them. I haven't done a great deal with them yet, but have used them for still life and like the results. I suspect that the vendor may just be mulling your question, but if that's the case, should at least follow up with some clarifying questions for you.
Do a search on dpreview.com for 'Alien Bees' and 'still life lighting'. There's quite a bit of info there that should be of help.
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07/21/2004 12:23:01 PM · #3 |
Thanks for the info, Len! I will look that up as suggested.
These lights would be used in my (very small) home "studio" so a lot of power wouldn't be necessary. I am currently using hot lights which are fine I suppose but they are hot! They make me hot while working and I am a little paranoid about getting too close to the wrong material and poof! housefire!
There ad mentions that their modeling lights offer WYSIWYG - have you found that to be the case with your set-up? Do you have any examples of still-life images where your alien bees have been used?
(thanks again :-) |
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07/21/2004 01:10:46 PM · #4 |
Ellen, I'll post an example this evening of a still life using the Alien Bees. For now, yes, the modeling lights are a big help. They'll give you a decent preview of how the lighting setup will work on your image. You do need to experiment with the exposure settings to get it just right, however, since you're not using the camera's TTL or E-TTL intelligence...
-len |
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07/21/2004 02:08:28 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by lenkphotos:
You do need to experiment with the exposure settings to get it just right, however, since you're not using the camera's TTL or E-TTL intelligence...
-len |
A flashmeter would be a good investment if you are going to buy studio strobes. You can get a good one for ~$200.
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07/21/2004 03:52:41 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
A flashmeter would be a good investment if you are going to buy studio strobes. You can get a good one for ~$200. |
I agree. The flash meter is best, if cost isn't a big deal. In lieu of the meter I make an educated guess and test the exposure via the camera's LCD and histogram.
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07/21/2004 11:12:23 PM · #7 |
Ellen, here's the still life I did with my Alien Bees. It's nothing great, but may give you an idea of what can be done with the Bees. Some description is included with the image...
-len |
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07/21/2004 11:38:07 PM · #8 |
| Thank you, Len! You are MOST helpful! |
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