I'm about to buy some studio equipment, and a thread like this is more helpful than all those confusing pages google found me about lighting.
Thank you so much guys!
Please keep them coming...
JohnE, you're my new hero. Great descriptions and really really stunning shots. Just a Q: do you actually need the B1600, meaning, do you often/regularly use it at full power, could you manage with a B800 just as well?
Rob (Walter Mitty),
Thank you for the compliment. You image is excellent. I'll admit :-) Its really nice to be able to have good equipment (I sink all of the money from surfing photo sales back into the business to be able to have the good stuff.) However, I am much more amazed and impressed at the stunning quality of work produced by many people here at FM's such as yourself and Roley (just to mention two), who product top-notch work with minimal and even home-grown equipment. I take my hat off to you and those that produce such excellent work with minimal equipment and huge passion.
Brian (vizualgraphix)
I've heard nothing but the best about Amvona. They have a great reputation. When I first started looking for plexiglas, I went straight to Home Depot. I was able to buy two sheets of 1/8" x 2' x 6'. I had a few problems with these sheets: (1) I always had to painstakingly clone out the seam between the sheets, (2) 1/8" is too thin when working on a soft/carpetted surface as the model's weight causes the plexi to dimple (bow) and (3) 6' x 6' was just a bit too small.
Karusel, ! Thanks for the (hero) compliment. As for the AB1600... yep I do use it on full power at times... mostly when I shoot outside, like when we shoot in the pool during the daylight and the light is 15-20 feet from the subject under a difusion panel.
clhurtt,
Just wanted to compliment you on your great shot of the kitten. One of the best I've seen. Too cute. Might be a good one to sell to a stock agency? :-)
Wow, what a great thread. Thanks to all who shared. Don't have anything to share myself except to say I also have a pair of the Home Depot hot lights and have modified them so they fit on my light stands. I've also used them in the past to mood light natural background outdoors at night for portraits. In studio (living room!) I use them bounced off big reflectors and have been having some fun getting into studio lighting this way, learning a bit more each time. My paying work is outdoor action and portrait that is available light only or with just a bit of fill so this is a new arena for me and I'm grateful for this nice thread with such great ideas and wonderful explanatory images. Not to mention the GREAT KITTEN SHOT Really awesome. And all of your stuff too, John E.- really inspirational. I'll bet you are not lighting those polo ponies!
I am going to break the rules and post pictures submitted by other Fred Miranda photogs from our FM Washington D.C. session in Sept.
This is our studio in Leesburg Va.
karst2 wrote:
I am going to break the rules and post pictures submitted by other Fred Miranda photogs from our FM Washington D.C. session in Sept.
This is our studio in Leesburg Va.
Don
A quick question... what type of flooring do you have in your studio?
I'm finishing off my basement and will be setting up a small studio in a couple of months. Don't want to leave the floor cement (too cold and hard), but at the same time I don't think a fluffy carpet would work because seamless paper would crumple and crease with any weight on it. Any recommendations?
Thanks for posting the photos of your setup AND the results... that really helps see how the light positions and the end results of the sessions. Great work!
What type of black curtain material are you using to isolate your backdrop and subject? Would any medium density black fabric work? Or is there a better product out there?
I'm converting my garage and will be using a Home Depot brand of Pergo plank flooring. Used it in my living room and office, easy to put in and with the underflooring it softens the step on it (don't know if that makes sense). Anyway it comes in different styles and colors as well.
I'm converting my garage and will be using a Home Depot brand of Pergo plank flooring. Used it in my living room and office, easy to put in and with the underflooring it softens the step on it (don't know if that makes sense). Anyway it comes in different styles and colors as well.
Yes, we have Pergo flooring in the studio up to the high key staging area.
Studio was once a loft for a feed store with huge trap doors to floor below.
Now we are above a jewelry store. Camera stand , light stands and camera platforms roll easily on Pergo and give a nice warm feeling to the studio.
Also very easy to clean.
Terry Richmond wrote:
John,
A quick question... what type of flooring do you have in your studio?
I'm finishing off my basement and will be setting up a small studio in a couple of months. Don't want to leave the floor cement (too cold and hard), but at the same time I don't think a fluffy carpet would work because seamless paper would crumple and crease with any weight on it. Any recommendations?
Thanks,
Terry
Hi Terry,
I have a concrete floor, over which we had installed (glued down) industrial-grade (not-fluffy) tight weave, gray carpet from Carpeteria. the 22' x 30' space cost approx. $900.
I have a concrete floor, over which we had installed (glued down) industrial-grade (not-fluffy) tight weave, gray carpet from Carpeteria. the 22' x 30' space cost approx. $900.
Hope this answers your question.
John
John,
Yes, this is the information I was looking for. Since you mentioned you glued it down, I'm assuming that there is no carpet pad underneath.
This really is an amazing hobby! My wife is amazed at the strange objects I purchase under the umbrella of photography. Just when you thought you were through with big purchases you have to spend $900 on carpet...because of a camera
Great, now I get an idea of what makes a good studio. Off to go buy some plexyglass and some extra difusers. Below is my useful but now not that impressive setup. I'm in the first picture.
JohnE wrote:
Okay, you asked for it. Here's a series of 3 studio setups using all Alien Bees and a photos from the shoot...
Hope you like them.
John
John --
You're work is great, and the illustrations are spectacular. Having hunted for books on setting up a studio, and found some of the not bad, but ancient works (like the Lighting Cookbook), you could certainly produce a best-selling book out of a collection of your "here's the setup - here's the result" pairings.
Squid Nick wrote:
What length muslin backdrops should I get? 10x12 I think is fine, but maybe I should shell out the few extra bucks to get 10x16 or so.
I'd get what you can afford. The 16' will give you enough mateial to run from ceiling to florr and then 8' or so towards you. This will allow you to keep the model a good 6' from the backdrop and will (depending on the aperture), would facilitate a blurry background.
By the way, nice setup.
Its not about the size (its nice if you have it. ), but more about what you need and what you do with it. Kortney and I shoot everything from models to products (skateboards, surfboards, individual parts, jewelry, etc.) We sacrificed a 3 car garage and permanently turned it into a studio with separate heating, air conditioning, cabinetry and recessed lighting to help us grow the business. The city has been great and we've been licensed for 5 years now.
! Thanks for the (hero) compliment. 
As for the AB1600... yep I do use it on full power at times... mostly when I shoot outside, like when we shoot in the pool during the daylight and the light is 15-20 feet from the subject under a difusion panel.
