Model work! - DPChallenge Forums

10/26/2004 09:20:01 AM · #1

to work with a model in a studio i was thinking of buying softboxes! is that a good choice or is there any other recomendation? please help!

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

10/26/2004 12:00:11 PM · #2

My softbox is also extremely hot. When I want to adjust the angle of the light, I have to use protection on my hands because the unit is too hot to touch.

I believe, if I had to choose between my stobes and my softbox, I would choose my strobes.

10/26/2004 12:55:22 PM · #3

sofboxes are of course, all the rage.. But if your starting out you'll be quite happy with umbrellas and basic reflectors... they will not compete with the light quality of a sofbox... but you need to remember that sofboxes diffuse the light more and therefore require higher output strobs.

done with softboxes:

done with umbrellas:

when done properly, both have their meritts.

Message edited by author 2004-10-26 12:55:42.

10/26/2004 12:57:22 PM · #4

Originally posted by joanns:

Hi Fredrico,

I'm still learning to work with my lights so I'm sure others could answer you more thoroughly but, I have one PhotoFlex Softbox and two strobes. My complaint about the softbox is that the light is set at one strength so if I'm to use it, I have to adjust my camera settings. On the otherhand, when I use my strobes, I can be more creative with them,
"Swinging Pearls"

My softbox is also extremely hot. When I want to adjust the angle of the light, I have to use protection on my hands because the unit is too hot to touch.

I believe, if I had to choose between my stobes and my softbox, I would choose my strobes.

Joanns, your using a Non "flash" softbox from what I read? a flash head softbox will be cool to the touch and depending on the flash head, fully intensity adjustable.

Message edited by author 2004-10-26 12:57:42.

10/26/2004 01:24:42 PM · #5

i was thinking of buying two softboxes! is that alright or do you have any other opinion! just help so when i really buy i'll be getting something that will help me work for sometime without upgrade! not wanting to spend a lot maybe 250$.

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

10/26/2004 02:16:39 PM · #6

Originally posted by Gil P:

[quote=joanns]
Joanns, your using a Non "flash" softbox from what I read? a flash head softbox will be cool to the touch and depending on the flash head, fully intensity adjustable.

That is correct. My softbox it continuos light. Are you using stobes with your softboxes? I think I can get softbox attachments for my Alien Bees so perhaps I should do that. Your work is beautiful!

10/26/2004 03:35:22 PM · #7

Yes, I am using the sofboxes on studio flash heads.

Discraft: do you already own studio flashes?? assuming you do, you can look a Photoflex softboxes...but I really doubt you'll get 2 units for 250$... really doubt!

10/26/2004 03:37:35 PM · #8

no i don't but alienbees seem to have softboxes for the price of 109$ each softbox!

10/26/2004 03:42:06 PM · #9

Originally posted by Discraft:

no i don't but alienbees seem to have softboxes for the price of 109$ each softbox!

yes but if you add the price of the studio flash, stand, sofbox ring adapter and sofbax it will come up quite a bit..

ALSO at 109$ it must be a fairly small unit..something like 24"...at that size, you won't see much difference with a umbrella... a good size softbox should be at least 48" then you get the full benifits.

10/26/2004 03:50:03 PM · #10

so the prices they have in the site are just the softbox without the tripoed and the studio flash?

10/26/2004 03:52:32 PM · #11

Originally posted by Discraft:

so the prices they have in the site are just the softbox without the tripoed and the studio flash?

If a flash head is about 250$...how would it be 109$ with 3 times more stuff!!!

You need to understand, a sofbox is an accessory, not a "system"...so sadly, you have to pay extra for it...not forget the adapter ring, wich is generaly about 85$ !

10/26/2004 03:56:00 PM · #12

wow!! guess my ideia just went down the flush!! :(

10/26/2004 04:00:14 PM · #13

Originally posted by Discraft:

wow!! guess my ideia just went down the flush!! :(

Like I said earlier... get yourself a basic studio flash kit (2 heads@250w + stands + umbrellas) you'll be happy for a very long time. Rememeber, Sofboxes have only been around for about 10years..before that, photography was umbrellas and reflectors.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/26/2004 04:02:48 PM · #14

thanks for the advice i'll see what i'll get! or maybe just wait a while, and think about it! thanks anyways!

magicshutter

Nikon D70

10/26/2004 04:05:56 PM · #15

I started off with a pair of JTL 110s, one with a diffuser umbrella and one with a reflective umbrella. This worked ok but I decided to buy a white lightning x1600 light with a 32" octabox, this light is seriously bad ass (pardon my grammer) Both the flash and modeling lights are independantly adjustable so if you don't want to move the light you don't have to (although I myself must move the light around for more creative lighting effects). I use one of the JTL 110 with the diffuser umbrella as a fill light and still have to move it around (because it has full or half power settings,, very irritating when you're trying to be specific). Anyway, This set-up seems to work but is expensive. I hope to buy a second white lightning x1600 in the near future.. I wonder why paul c. bluff and his white lightning products do not get more attention
//www.white-lightning.com/

Joe

Message edited by author 2004-10-26 16:08:29.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/26/2004 05:38:04 PM · #16

Just one more question! what do you guys use for the background! is it a wite blanket or a special sheet?

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

10/26/2004 06:14:18 PM · #17

I have been so confused by all the lighting possibilities that I have never taken the plunge into that world.... until today.

Tonight I start a 6 week (2 hours a week) course on "Studio Lighting".

They'll have equipment I could never afford, but will help me get a grasp of what is involved.

There is one theory night and 5 prac nights. Only 4 people on the course which is great.

They are covering just about everything from studio shots of products for magasines, to model shoots (they provide a model for a couple of nights).

Hopefully that will answer a lot of the questions being covered here for me in a practical sense :)

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/26/2004 07:04:25 PM · #18

Originally posted by Natator:

Awesome! How did you find out about the course? I'd love to find something like that...

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/26/2004 07:23:52 PM · #19

Originally posted by dwterry:

Awesome! How did you find out about the course? I'd love to find something like that...

Yes, this course is EXACTLY what I have been looking for. It is done by a local photography college here in Brisbane. Another member here pointed it out to me on an Australian photo site we both frequent.

Not sure how you'd find one locally, but I'd suggest contacting a local photography club, they might at least know where you might call to find out if any colleges in the area run anything like this.

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

10/26/2004 07:24:40 PM · #20

Originally posted by Discraft:

Just one more question! what do you guys use for the background! is it a wite blanket or a special sheet?

Hi Fredrico, I used 9' seamless paper, white and I am pretty sure that Gil P also uses the seamless paper. I hope you can find it locally because it is expensive to ship - it's a long, heavy tube. If you're just doing head shots, you don't need this long, wide background.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/26/2004 07:27:46 PM · #21

Originally posted by Discraft:

Just one more question! what do you guys use for the background! is it a wite blanket or a special sheet?

I sometimes shoot in front of what is called a "cyc" wall (cyclorama)but this becomes fairly repetive after some time...so I try and either do locations or black backdrop.

It also has a lot to do with your subject matter, portrait? product? ect.. and in the case of SLR use, the lens choice.

Many people use very afforble paper backdrops...but I don't,(wink at Joanns!) they are way to narrow for me to use. since I use a 16-35 and a 70-200 lens for my shoots, 8' or 9' are not wide enough.

Message edited by author 2004-10-26 19:29:06.

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

10/26/2004 08:16:32 PM · #22

Originally posted by joanns:

I am looking at turning my garage space into a studio in the next month or so, and have been considering getting a roll of this stuff and building some sort of home made roll holder for it.

A couple of questions:

1) As long as you are careful, like not letting the model walk on it in heels if you have it on the floor as well .... how much life do you get from a roll? I am sure a pro just rips it off and starts afresh for each shoot if the paper gets creased. Can you use it for quite a while though if you are careful?

2) The ones I have seen are a sort of cloudy/speckled pattern, like sponged painty on walls (I am sure you know what I mean). What is the best colour combination for this? I have seen ones with a colour and white, colour and black, colour and grey, and I think even just 2 colours. Any clues as to which ONE would be best if you only could manage to have one?

Thanks :)

Simon

Nazgul

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

10/26/2004 10:36:46 PM · #23

does anybody know of an affordable light system like alien bees and white lighting that can be used in europe without buying a battery pack with it??

parrothead

Canon EOS-40D

10/26/2004 10:59:47 PM · #24

I have a 3 light system from calument, called travellites. I have had the in one version or another for 10 years! They are mono lights, so there is no battery pack. I have 2 750ws and one 350ws, which has all the power and versitility I need? I have a big softbox, 2 umbrellas, and a snoot light. I really don't do too many indoor portraits.......but I do have to do them sometimes. I think the whole kit cost me 1499.00 us dollars. I also had to buy transmitters, which cost me 300 or so bucks? It aint cheap, but I am really impressed with the ease and quality of them. Check out calumet's website.

Nazgul