I give up on studio lighting. - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/21/2005 11:26:06 AM · #1

This site has both made me love photography more, and hate it a little more all at the same time. I am definitely discovering my short comings. The major one being studio lighting. After a disasterous attempt at lighting my self portrait, (and submitting a less than stellar submission instead-go ahead check it out) my confidence in lighting dwindled. But after my recent fight with my 1970's setup (just wait, you'll see) I think I've decided to stick with available light for awhile. I have been trying to rig together lights from home improvement stores and anything else to make it work, since I can't afford "official" studio lighting, and it's just not working. Sorry, this should probably just go into the Rant forum, but I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice for someone with a next-to-no-budget (at least for the time being) to attempt lighting setups with good results. I have multiple lighting books, but those are all designed for "professional lights." Thanks to all who are willing to help.

smellyfish1002

Canon EOS-20D

02/21/2005 11:34:59 AM · #2

I looked at your self portrait entry. The shot is very abstract in nature, so I can't really give you any lighting advice without knowing what your goal was. It is backlit, and shot through frosted glass. If you didn't get what you envisioned, please tell us what you were going for and maybe we can help.

I must say though, you are excellent with LED's!!

JD

hsteg

Fujifilm X-T20

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

02/21/2005 11:35:19 AM · #3

Use reflectors if youre gonna use natural light. A simple piece of posterboard can even be used and then you can bounce light in different directions.

LEONJR

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

02/21/2005 11:46:51 AM · #4

I have the same exact problem your having exactly to the "t" and there in fact some good tutorials on this board and post that explain lighting in detail however there arent any post for the less fortuante like my self who dont have access to the expensive real studio lights i been told soon there is gonna be some more tutorials on light that might address this .......

smellyfish1002

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/21/2005 11:52:01 AM · #5

There have been numerous threads at //www.fredmiranda.com about "home depot" lights. Some people there have been very creative with a small budget, and have achieved very professional results with home made lights. I think you have to register at the site to use the forums, but it is free. They have a forum search option, I think from the 'portal' page.

JD

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

02/21/2005 11:52:59 AM · #6

Left a comment on your self portrait :)

Prof_Fate

02/21/2005 12:12:09 PM · #7

I have tried hot lights -have 3 and used sheets to diffuse. the results are OK for some things. i hate the slow shutter speed needed, but like that i can see the effects.

I have a coworker who is a glamour model and her hubby a photog ( //www.vickilynn-model.com/ ). I got to go and play in their studio last friday. I am now a fan of strobes!

i have set up strobes in my basement now. (total cost $100 - 2 $10 ambico tripods from big lots, 2 quantarray strobes (on camera type flashguns) from ebay $20 and $24, an optical trigger ($15) and pc hotshoe adapter and extension cord $20 and one homeade adapter to mount a flash to a tripod (used one of my son's mega blocks).

it works!! I need to practice with control (need umbrellas me thinks) but WOW, so much nicer!

Message edited by author 2005-02-21 12:12:50.

02/21/2005 12:15:10 PM · #8

I should say that my self portrait submission ended up being available light. What I was saying is that I tried numerous attempts at lighting setups, and after being disgusted with those, ended up submitting something else. I started off on a high note with a 9th place on the Light challenge. After not submitting to either Pink or Pain (because the attempts I did were not up to my standards) I decided that I just need to start doing challenges even if I don't think that they are my best work.

If you look at all the photos in my portfolio, they are all available light. (minus the sparkler one) So I really need to start branching out.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/21/2005 12:20:49 PM · #9

Thanks for the advice Prof_Fate. I haven't even considered strobe lights. I just assumed that I would try to get into continuous light. (softboxes, etc...so I can see the resluts while I'm setting up) but it's hard to form a good debate when you've never seen either one in action. And I personally don't know any portrait photographers with studio setups in the Pittsburgh area that I could request to visit and pick their brains. (That's a big hint to any of you out there fitting that description) ;)

Prof_Fate

02/21/2005 12:25:32 PM · #10

Originally posted by jeffzoet:

I PMd you on that visit bit.

les0910

Canon EOS-5D

02/21/2005 12:43:30 PM · #11

I started with two of these strobes.

The only way to control output is to move them around and try different things. It can be a little frustrating but its a great way to learn lighting. I've gotten some really nice portraits using them.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/21/2005 12:48:01 PM · #12

Jeff,

there MUST be camera clubs in the Pittsburgh area that have a common studio with strobes and softboxes and a darkroom. Every city I've ever been in has 'em. Try looking for one.

Robt.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/21/2005 12:52:11 PM · #13

I would suggest getting some Vivitar 385 flash units. These have variable power and are about $70 each new.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

02/21/2005 01:36:37 PM · #14

So what's the big draw to flash studios? I just assumed softboxes were where it's at. I really need to just visit some studios and see them first hand.

hsteg

Fujifilm X-T20

02/21/2005 05:13:19 PM · #15

Originally posted by jeffzoet:

So what's the big draw to flash studios? I just assumed softboxes were where it's at. I really need to just visit some studios and see them first hand.

A softbox can be put over any kind of light, strobe or continuous. A softbox is just a way to diffuse the light, or make it softer.

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/21/2005 05:40:32 PM · #16

I used to use those hot lights, 3 of them, and just found them too frustrating.

I'd take, say, 100 shots and if I was lucky have a couple that were sort of ok enough to keep, and these were often more luck than anything.

Then I did a basic studio lighting course (6 weeks, 2 hours a week) and started to use proper strobes.

Now I take 100 photos, delete 10 as the model was blinking (or whatever) and have the problem of trying to work out which I then like the most to keep.

Sure, they are still not magnificent, but importantly I am now very pleased with the results I am getting.

For example:

Or the rest of my model shots:

//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio_mgr.php?collection_id=4993

There is no way I could, personally, have done ANY of those with the old lights I was using.

Unfortunately though it is usually a case of having to work with what you have, and dream of better things. It doesn't stop either when you do get the lights ... I have two ... and now desperately need a third I can't afford *laugh*

Message edited by author 2005-02-21 17:41:37.

magicshutter

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/21/2005 05:47:09 PM · #17

Originally posted by jeffzoet:

I just assumed softboxes were where it's at.

Well, I use an Octodome that actually has two diffusing mechanisms.. The first is inside, the second covers the softbox.. The bonus in this for me is that I don't need background lights. This sends soft light everywhere!

Now if you uncover the octodome but leave the internal diffuser you'll get more defined shadows... Removing both leaves a radical contrast effect. Can be good sometimes.. Another great thing about flash studios is gels.. What better way to capture perfect lighting in any situation.. These come in very helpful when using strobes outdoors. If you are shooting a model against a sunset, use a gold gel to match the skin tone to the background.. You can also expose to the background and adjust the strobes accordingly.. Then all you need to do to lighten or brighten the background is adjust shutter speed.

There is so much more for me to learn..

Joe

ScottK

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/21/2005 06:55:16 PM · #18

On the one hand, I'm not even going to begin to suggest that using halogen shop lights (I assume that's what everyone means when they're refering to "hot lights") has anything on proper studio lighting. On the other hand, I've had decent success with them. Here are some examples of the shots I've gotten with them:

Some of those also had a 60w incandescent gooseneck lamp for softening shadows. I've also used flashlights with some success.

Some of the tricks are getting a good background and a somewhat controlled environment to direct your light. Also, you usually want to get some diffusion of the light, to even it out a bit. My first attempt was on the ultra-cheep - a cardboard box. Here are some examples of it in "action":

Liquid Setup
Office Art Setup

Notice the velum paper in the first example. Another tip I found somewhere was a sheet of the diffusers that go in ceiling lights. You can get them at Home Depot - I think I paid 6 or 8 bucks - in 2' x 4' sheets, then cut them as needed. You do need to be careful - when shooting that office art shot above, the light fell onto the diffuser, and within about 10 seconds it was a warped mess.

Today I use a setup more like this: A Simple Lightbox. (More examples here.)

I haven't used them for portrait work (as I haven't really done any), but I imagine some of the same issues apply. Find something you can place or hang in front of the light to diffuse it. Here's a .PDF document with some pretty detailed setups for building frames for reflectors, softboxes and more from PVC piping: Tinker Tubes.

Hope some of this helps...

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/21/2005 08:00:43 PM · #19

I don't believe that softboxes are to be used with hot lights, they could catch fire. They should only be used with strobes.