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).
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
