U-taker Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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Hi all. A little about me. I'm a big time lurker on FM with very few posts on here. Photography had been a hobby for quite a few years (no formal schooling, only internet reading/video watching and trial and error and a little bit of mentoring after my employment). In March of 2011, I was offered a job at a wedding studio (someone on here commented in a former post of mine that I most likely work for a wedding mill, which I pretty much agree on, emphasis on cookie cutter/basic) here in CT and for the first year, I shadowed/2nd shot to learn the ropes of what to capture. I came a long way in that first year. After my first year, I was let loose all last year and I loved it! Some of my work is on my FaceBook page if any are interested. Sorry, no personal website since most of my work is for the studio. I also want to mention that working for the studio is my second job. My primary occupation is funeral directing and I've been a licensed full time director for 13 years now.
With that said, I recently purchased an inexpensive 3 strobe light set ([2]400w/s and [1] 300w/s Square Perfect, hey, it fit my budget lol) in hopes of teaching myself studio lighting. There are no in-studio shoots at the place I work so I can't get any instruction regarding studio lighting. Since I purchased these strobes, I have only used them for a few, very basic, even lit headshots and family portraits (all on location cuz I don't have my own studio space). Yesterday, I watched a video about lighting at Adorama Learning. The photographer used 4 lights, I have only three but I thought I'd give it a try nonetheless because I really liked the image/mood he produced. So last night, I tore apart my dining room and set up my "studio". I used a white paper backdrop and a gridded (don't know the degree) and snooted strobe to light it, at full power. Next to and underneath the snooted strobe, I set up a kicker(?). I used barn doors with a grid (don't know the degree) to light MY left side and further separate it from the background. The kicker was the 300w/s strobe at full power. My key (bare strobe, no diffusion) was positioned camera left, high and pointing down at approx. 45 degrees and was probably about 70-80 degrees to me, definitely not 90 nor 45. This was also full power. I also want to mention that I made two flags(?) out of heavy duty tin foil (I don't have black foil). I clipped one to the kicker barn door closest to the backdrop to prevent light spilling onto the backdrop and the other I attached to the key, again to prevent spill on the backdrop. I hope I explained my set-up reasonably well. I will include a pic of the set-up to give vision to the above description.
After I got a shot I really liked, I brought it into LR 4 for processing. I was hoping for a more "film noir" look but after playing around in LR, I think the hard light and shadows (and my attire) was suited more for an edgy look rather than "film noir" so I just ran with it. I am happy with my results. I see separation from the background and I believe the image has depth and doesn't look flat.
Without further adieux, I present my self portrait along with a cell phone pic of the set-up. I'd love to hear some feedback, good or bad, as to if I created mood with this experimenting. Again, I'm a novice at studio lighting and I like to run before I can walk, hence the 3 light set-up instead of a one light set-up.
Oh! Btw, this was shot with my 5Diii, 70-200 2.8 mkii with a 3 stop ND filter. Exif should be included.
Thanks for looking and commenting! I will be in and out today but will check back when I can.
Ryan
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