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05/05/2005 07:27:11 AM · #1 |
I don't do much studio photography, but recently have been called upon to do it. I need help from those in the know.
1) What kind of backdrop system is best to transport to homes and offices?
2) I have a 600W lighting system, but that seems too cumbersome to transport to home and office. What lighting system would you suggest?
3) What's the best way to bounce light to avoid hot spots on the subject's forehead?
Thanks All!
Mik
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05/05/2005 08:25:49 AM · #2 |
Same questions over here. Looking forward to replies from the pros.
Teresa |
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05/05/2005 09:26:00 AM · #3 |
I bought a backdrop stand and a grey sand washed muslin from Steve Kaser Backgrounds. The stand comes in a nice carrying bag.
For lighting I have two Alien Bee B800's with brollies and 7 ft stands. Again, all have nice carry cases to transport them to location.
Here's a sample of the background using the lights, that I set up in the living room.
If you have white ceilings, you can just bounce the light off that.
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05/05/2005 09:26:19 AM · #4 |
I don't do Portraits, but I think I can help with the rest.
Answers=
1) Your back drop should reflect what the client is after. Generally, at work, we use either douvatein (black), white muslin, or a green screen (blue, or red as well). I think you should survey your clientel to find out what they want.
2)600w lights are nothing, to me. How cumbersom can they be? You should lug around some of the crap I have to. What you should be thinking of is how to light your subject. The appropriate light will follow. If 600w lights are all you have , make it work. If you need something else, then RENT the light, don't purchase. Unless of course you have cash to spend then go for it. If you get flash, get an incidental meter as well.
3) the best way to bounce light is to go to an art store (cheaper way), or a Film Rental House (more expensive) and get yourself 4x8 white/black foam core. It is versital. The white can be used to bounce light in any size, the black can be used for Negative fill, or to help cut light, or to help hide nasty reflections, and can be used to help hide objects.
You could bounce off of the ceiling, but then you would just have a top "kick". the ceiling does not move like a card does, especially if you want a soft key, or back light.
this sample gives an idea of the stuff used at work.
the first is a silver bounce
next is the fiber bounce
last is a foamcore bounce.
each one has it own charecteristics.
Message edited by author 2005-05-05 09:38:22.
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05/05/2005 09:43:01 AM · #5 |
What if I only have one light? Can I make that work and how?
Teresa |
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05/05/2005 09:58:48 AM · #6 |
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05/05/2005 10:01:24 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by twm122:
What if I only have one light? Can I make that work and how?
Teresa |
My sister in law and I set up our own "homemade studio" just to photograph our kids. we hung a simple sheet up on the wall and had it roll onto the floor. we "borrowed"( from our husbands) a double low watt shop light on a stand ( available at local automotive store like advanced auto) and unattached one side and placed it behind the child for back lighting and the other one was used in front. turned off celing light and wala! portrait. we touched them up a bit in photoshop to have the desired effect but all said and done we liked them. Its not very professional looking but it got the job done. U might want to try this and have people come to ur house till u can get money to make a more professional look...just wanted to share my experience at a homemeade set up and it is another option. :)
edit: spelling...i need more coffee before posting next time..lol
Message edited by author 2005-05-05 10:02:58.
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05/05/2005 10:04:58 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by twm122:
What if I only have one light? Can I make that work and how?
Teresa |
Ya know it is possible to do. But, it all depends on your light.
If you have a 600w light I am going to say probly not. If you have a 6kw hmi light, then I would say yes.
Home Depot is a great place to find lights. It is the poor mans lighting source.
Also, I call them China Balls, they could be called Oriental Lanterns, or Paper Balloons, whatever. China Balls cost under $10. they are a great source for a Key light.
They are already soft, you can put up to 100w household bulbs in them.You will have to cover half of the ball with black cloth to control the light, and cap the top and bottom to prevent leakage of light, but we use them ALL THE TIME at work.
They come in 3 sizes, but they are extremely fragile.
This is not a great pix, but its on the set of "Will and Grace", notice the use of the Chinal Ball.
Message edited by author 2005-05-05 10:17:41.
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05/05/2005 10:16:12 AM · #9 |
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05/05/2005 10:18:59 AM · #10 |
Oh yeah, if you just want a single source light.
but if you need a thee point set up, you need more, more, more, more.
nice stuff sofap.
Message edited by author 2005-05-05 10:21:02.
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05/05/2005 10:25:19 AM · #11 |
Could not agree more swinging_johnson_v1
Well as I say you can never have too many lights, We have about 15 studio lights and on some location sets we need more.
Message edited by author 2005-05-05 10:26:40.
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05/05/2005 10:28:20 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by sofap:
Could not agree more swinging_johnson_v1
Well as I say you can never have too many lights, We have about 15 studio lights and on some location sets we need more.
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At work when we here "Available Lighting", it does not mean using the sun. It usually means to unload the truck and stand by.
I love what I do, I hate what I do. A conundrum.
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05/05/2005 10:32:40 AM · #13 |
Well swinging_johnson_v1 when I was a pup I worked for a studio in Chicago in the 70s that shot TV commercials. I was an assistant photographer. I know what the lighting crew went through, all I had to do was move the camera around and load mags and change lens oh and get coffee.
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05/05/2005 10:39:21 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by sofap:
Well swinging_johnson_v1 when I was a pup I worked for a studio in Chicago in the 70s that shot TV commercials. I was an assistant photographer. I know what the lighting crew went through, all I had to do was move the camera around and load mags and change lens oh and get coffee. |
And you guys got all the chicks.
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05/05/2005 10:43:27 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by swinging_johnson_v1:
Originally posted by sofap:
Well swinging_johnson_v1 when I was a pup I worked for a studio in Chicago in the 70s that shot TV commercials. I was an assistant photographer. I know what the lighting crew went through, all I had to do was move the camera around and load mags and change lens oh and get coffee. |
And you guys got all the chicks. |
That is how it should be
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05/05/2005 10:51:33 AM · #16 |
Well I hope we helped mikasi with his question. We seem to have gotten of the point.
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05/05/2005 11:42:18 AM · #17 |
| Here is a thread I posted a few days ago. It's a website that has good information for portrait and wedding photographers. Registration to the site is free. Hope this helps. |
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05/05/2005 12:25:07 PM · #18 |
Thanks all for the information. I know I didn't start the thread, but the info you provided was great.
Teresa |
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05/05/2005 08:33:45 PM · #19 |
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