Just thought that it might be useful to see some studio set-ups which include the whole scene including placement of lights , softboxes, reflectors etc..
Thanks for sharing
EDIT _ EDIT _ EDIT 1/11/2006
When you are doing a shoot please take a shot of the whole scene with model - lights etc - so that people can see the scene and get some feel for the shoot that you do -
Also if you can also give some details about light power just write F8 or F4 or whatever over the light in the photo
I know it will take a little bit of time but will provide more value to poeple who are feeling for these shoots -
I would prefere a real scene to a made up scene in PS2 what i have seen floating abround here - it looks real nice but does not give the atmosphere of a real scene.
I know JohnE does it a lot on his setups -
so please let him be the person to who we set our standard to.
Edited by ilegales on Nov 01, 2006 at 03:01 PM GMT
I'm so heartbroken. I just spent a week building a backdrop stand and a lighting diffusion panel. I setup in an empty apartment at the complex where my church had its fall festival. I was using my Home Depot work lights and an umbrella rigged (via cable ties) to a tripod where my SB-800 was mounted for remote firing. I had a hand-dyed backdrop that took me several hours to finish. And would you believe that even after reminding myself I don't have a single pic of the finished setup? Just what I captured in the portraits.
Some of the shots reulting from it (sorry, I've only done one shoot with it for web stuff up to now). For such a little investment it's made me a lot of return so far, and I've been nothing but pleased... http://img63.exs.cx/img63/9058/mag9.jpg
Hey John Im looking for booms and wondered if you have any tip's Actually any info on good set ups. I have two med. Photoflex Q39's and one Ex. LG. I want something that can hold my AB800 and the Ex Large SB. Also what is your source for Plexi Glass? I have seen you posts before and love your set ups. Nice shots!!!
I have Matthews, Bogen/Manfrotto and Alian Bee stands. The AB stands (LS3900, Casters and boom arm w/Counterweight) work just great and I would buy them again. The casters really make the lights easier to move around with the frequent set changes.
The one thing that I now use with all of my stands are weight bags or sandbags to ensure stabilization, especially when I'm using the (very heavy) 33" Mola Beauty Dish or the 60" Octodome. I also found 1, 2 and 5 pound (lead) shot (diving) weight bags at my local Sports Authority. These are small and work great in stabilizing the small background light stands.
The Plexiglas was purchased froma local plastics distributor. I buy it in sheets that are 6' x 8' x 1/4". You'll have to check your local Yellow Pages for a distributor near you. Mine was able to deliver the the sheets for $35. Home Depot did not carry these sheet sizes and thickness. Be prepared to do plenty of maintenance to keep the plexi in good condition. They mar and scratch very easily. They are also very cumbersome to move by yourself and and take up a lot of storage space. I picked up a $20 car polisher and polish pads and use a cleacoat liquid car wax to buff out the scratches and to put a protective layer to prevent some maring and scratching.
The black curtains are 30' x 9' and are of a very heavy black felt material that I found on Ebay in the photo equipment/backgrounds/studio section. I purchased the ceiling-mounted curtain-rail hanging system from an on-line hospital supply house. To hang the curtain, I picked up brass grommets and the tool to install them at Home Depot for around $10.
Uhhhh.... Tough act to follow. John, your work is nothing short of inspiring. I would have to say that my entry represents the other end of the spectrum. Having no money to invest in photography at present, I still wanted to learn lighting. So I cobbled the setup beolw together. I have more money invested in Duct tape than anything else. I would not say that it is in any way up to the quality standards around here, but it gives us something to learn and practice with until we can afford a light setup.
Truly a spacious studio, storage room converted to play area. Massive 7'6" ceilings ensure that we do not have to compromise our light setup.
I am just starting out, and I am slowly building up all the things I need to make a studio...I have no room for one, but oh well.
I just use dis-assemble the living room, and go from there. On the right is an Alien Bee 800 in a large softbox. The left light is an Alien Bee 1600 with a honeycomb grid on it.
I love it! I have looked like this often during my college days. The Kitten is simply priceless. Very well done. Just goes to prove, it's not what you have, but how you use it!
Funny you should ask if the cat was drinking too. Here is the problem...How do you get a 5 week old kitten to stand still in a spot that is barely as wide as she is?!?!?
Answer...you put something that has a very strong scent right where you want her to stand...then you can tear it out of the way and get ONE shot before she tries to attack your camera.
Christian S wrote:
Hey John Im looking for booms and wondered if you have any tip's Actually any info on good set ups. I have two med. Photoflex Q39's and one Ex. LG. I want something that can hold my AB800 and the Ex Large SB. Also what is your source for Plexi Glass? I have seen you posts before and love your set ups. Nice shots!!!
Prob can get plexiglass from Home Depot... I know they have lots of sizes...not sure if it'll be as big as John's though.
Also, I'd suggest www.amvona.com for light stands and booms. I have about 7 of their stands, plus lights, backdrops, etc. i support them fully. I have a wholesale membership ($45/yr) with them...which gives me about 1/2 off retail prices of similar products to Photoflex...same quality better price (IMHO). But I got most of mine off of their eBay store for about 1/3 of the wholesale prices! Amazing! VERY Strong ....almost identical to Photoflex and Bogen products. give em a try.
Actually any info on good set ups. I have two med. Photoflex Q39's and one Ex. LG. I want something that can hold my AB800 and the Ex Large SB. Also what is your source for Plexi Glass? I have seen you posts before and love your set ups. Nice shots!!!
Typically how I feel after recieving my credit card bill after a major Photo Purchase. 