Lighting Setup Tools

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Archive 2006 · Lighting Setup Tools

kkertz
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p.1 #1 · Lighting Setup Tools

Todd (TJ Asher) asked if I'd share my setup shapes. "But of course", I say

Below is a link to a FREE lighting tool I created to share your lighting setups. See restrictions below.

To use...
1) Download file LightingSetup.psd.zip (size 200k)
2) Unarchive the Zip file
3) Open the Photoshop file: LightingSetup.psd. (size 500k)
4) The file defaults with a Background, Subject and 35mm Camera.
5) To view (add) an item, open the appropriate folder and click on the item (as seen below). You click on the "eye" icon to make it visible or to hide it.
6) Move and rotate into place.
7) Save a copy of your finished setup. Don't save over original file (for future use).

Download here...
http://www.kevinkertz.com/fm/LightingSetup.psd.zip

Updates:
Sept. 13, 2006 - Original file
Sept. 25, 2006 - Version (1.1) Added Strip Softboxes and Hairlights

Restrictions:
• For personal use and to share your setups only!
• NO commercial use
• Please leave the copyright on ALL setups...Thanks!
• YES you can post your setups on other sites. Please refer others to download here so FM can profit from new visitors.

MOD EDIT: Hope you all find this thread useful. I just stumbled across it and think it will be a great resource for the FM community. Kudos to Kevin!

Scott

Edited by Scott Sewell on Sep 22, 2006 at 02:53 PM GMT (Reason: Included download in original post)

Edited by Scott Sewell on Sep 22, 2006 at 03:00 PM GMT (Reason: Made this thread a sticky)

Edited by kkertz on Sep 25, 2006 at 01:23 PM GMT (Reason: Updated file Version (1.1) & simplified op)

Edited by kkertz on Sep 25, 2006 at 01:28 PM GMT

Sep 07, 2006 at 05:15 AM

JimFox
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p.1 #2 · Lighting Setup Tools

Hmmm, this is showing up in Landscape.... I think the index is a little screwy...

Sep 07, 2006 at 05:18 AM

swampwalker
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p.1 #3 · Lighting Setup Tools

Fantastic idea, don't forget the stickfigure model. I look forward to seeing and using your templates. Thanks

Sep 07, 2006 at 06:55 AM

ketamine
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p.1 #4 · Lighting Setup Tools

"Light strip" Softboxes?
Background/Backdrop
Bookends
Diffussion Panels
Gobo/Flags

This is a great idea and this should be very helpful tool. I'm not trying to down play your effort here but just had something to add. Besides, I think you already know how much I admire your contribution to these forums.

I find having an actual photo of the setup very helpful as well. You can usually get a better idea of height and xy axis positioning of light sources. This is one thing that "bugs" me about a lot of the lighting books I've bought and read. Very very few actually, took a step back (or put on a wide-angle) to get a quick shot of the "behind the scenes" of the photo displayed. I think more books like this woud sell very well.

Sep 07, 2006 at 12:41 PM

dennysb
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p.1 #5 · Lighting Setup Tools

Kevin,

This is very kind of you, I am sure many of us will find it very useful.

Thx again

Sep 07, 2006 at 01:58 PM

mlorne
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p.1 #6 · Lighting Setup Tools

Definitely saves me an hour or so that I really don't have.

Appreciate the kindness.

Michael

Sep 07, 2006 at 02:08 PM

mufutau
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p.1 #7 · Lighting Setup Tools

This is gonna be good...
How about adding how to use light meters.. eg. Sekonic L-358 if possible.
Thanks.

Mufutau

Sep 07, 2006 at 03:39 PM

TJ Asher
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p.1 #8 · Lighting Setup Tools

Kevin,

You Da Man!

Sep 07, 2006 at 05:25 PM

Maxis42
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p.1 #9 · Lighting Setup Tools

Folks,

There still good people in this world!! Thank you Kevin.

Sep 07, 2006 at 06:48 PM

novi
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p.1 #10 · Lighting Setup Tools

Great Idea.

Thanks for your time and efforts. Look forward to the outcome.

Sep 07, 2006 at 07:08 PM

TJ Asher
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p.1 #11 · Lighting Setup Tools

If you really want to get creative and you have the time, you could do a 35mm style camera, a MF style camera and a LF style camera.

How about a studio stand? You know, like the big Fobas... http://www.foba.ch/eng/programm/programm.htm

Sep 08, 2006 at 02:22 AM

Brent Ward
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p.1 #12 · Lighting Setup Tools

TJ Asher wrote:
If you really want to get creative and you have the time, you could do a 35mm style camera, a MF style camera and a LF style camera.

How about a studio stand? You know, like the big Fobas... http://www.foba.ch/eng/programm/programm.htm

I have the cambo stand, those foba's are pricey!

Sep 08, 2006 at 02:33 AM

TJ Asher
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p.1 #13 · Lighting Setup Tools

Oh yeah, pricey but damn sweet. Wish I could afford one!

Sep 08, 2006 at 04:08 AM

dorkn
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p.1 #14 · Lighting Setup Tools

This will make sharing lighting setups much easier. Also a great way to make professional looking lighting setup diagrams for a personal book to keep at the studio. Thanks for doing this.

Sep 08, 2006 at 01:58 PM

rcooper
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p.1 #15 · Lighting Setup Tools

Ringlight

With AB about to come out with one, there will probably be a flood of ringlight shots shortly behind.

Sep 09, 2006 at 07:10 AM

kkertz
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p.1 #16 · Lighting Setup Tools

Hey guys... here's the status. Below is a made up setup just to illustrate what it looks like. Below that, you'll see all the different images I've made so far. Now's a good time to chime in with things I missed or if I screwed something up. I'll post the final PDF for you all to download Monday/Tuesday after I've received feedback.

The PDF consists of the images you see and a grid to lay images onto... 1 square = 1 foot. This may help with distance for some.

Hope you will find this helpful...

Cheers.
Kevin

Edited by kkertz on Sep 25, 2006 at 11:44 AM GMT (Reason: deleted second image)

Sep 09, 2006 at 09:35 AM

Maxis42
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p.1 #17 · Lighting Setup Tools

Wow! This is amazing...! thank you very much, I can't wait to see the rest!

Sep 09, 2006 at 01:32 PM

nowicki
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p.1 #18 · Lighting Setup Tools

Thanks Kevin!!! What about a ring light and possibly a gel holder?
Thanks again,
Ryan

Sep 09, 2006 at 10:20 PM

TJ Asher
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p.1 #19 · Lighting Setup Tools

Damn! That's amazing! And fast too.

Kevein, please post how to use these also. Not sure how we can get them out of a PDF file into PS.

If I may make a small suggestion on the model. Perhaps a shape that is a circle inside an oval to represent the shoulders so body position can be noted. I've seen this shape used a few times.

I'll post an example shortly.

Something akin to this:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

I'm certain your version will be far superior.

Sep 10, 2006 at 12:51 AM

cavis
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p.1 #20 · Lighting Setup Tools

That is so awesome. This is precisely what I am looking for. I just ordered two AB800s with umbrellas (one silver/white bounce, one shoot through), a reflector, gels, Vagabond, and wired remote... and I have not a clue what to do with them yet.

I can't wait to try them, especially with these diagrams. I think I understand all the aspects of studio lighting excpet for the main thing... I don't understand how the light measurements work in realtion to one another. I'm assuming that if main is f/8, then f/4 is half of that, and f/5.6 is between. See what a rookie I am?

Looks like time to buy a book. I guess I'm in over my head, but these will be a HUGE help. Thanks kkertz.

Sep 10, 2006 at 06:12 AM

elliotkramer
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p.1 #21 · Lighting Setup Tools

Thank you so much for your efforts.

Sep 10, 2006 at 05:54 PM

Egor
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p.1 #22 · Lighting Setup Tools

Great idea! cant wait to see!

Todd, I think you can just rasterize any pdf directly into photoslop. Just open the pdf from ps, specify which page and resolution and colorspace and voila! It will even come in with transparent backgrounds so you wont have to knock them out.

e

Sep 10, 2006 at 06:06 PM

Manny74
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p.1 #23 · Lighting Setup Tools

cavis wrote:
That is so awesome. This is precisely what I am looking for. I just ordered two AB800s with umbrellas (one silver/white bounce, one shoot through), a reflector, gels, Vagabond, and wired remote... and I have not a clue what to do with them yet.

Just did the same Cavis & Im on the same boat, I have no clue on how they work. What I do know its that after seeing Kevin's work, techniques has inspired me to venture into flash fhotography.

Thanks very much Kevin for all the wonderfull help/inspiration you have given to us.

Thank you

Manny...

Sep 10, 2006 at 07:58 PM

zoomfactor
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p.1 #24 · Lighting Setup Tools

Wow! Kevin thank you for your efforts!

John

Sep 11, 2006 at 04:58 PM

JohnE
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p.1 #25 · Lighting Setup Tools

Outstanding ideas! Something sorely needed. Huge, huge compliments to Kevin for sharing his talents.

Best regards,
John

Sep 11, 2006 at 05:06 PM


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