Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

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Archive 2008 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

canerino
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p.1 #1 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

Greetings Lighting Gurus!

I am about to shoot my "I WANT TO BE" project (see below) for the second time. Last year, I just set up some hot lights (softbox camera right and hair light on a boom). I borrowed the lights and they really didnt give off too much light (I was around 1/160th, f/5.6, ISO 400ish). I'd really like to improve on the technical quality of the shots this year as I REALLY love this project.

I just got an AB1600, AB800, and AB400. I'd like to maintain the same look of the shots...simple and clean. I have some shoot through umbrellas for the main light, but do not have a snoot for the kicker. Any suggestions on that?

Also, I will be shooting in a GINORMOUS space this year (high school gym) and can set them up anywhere I'd like. I plan on using the 'school cream' walls as my background.

Now, my questions:

1. Do I have to buy the snoot from AB?
2. Should I light my background or let it go gray?
3. Should I use shoot throughs or buy a softbox/octabox?
4. Do you see anything below that you would change?
5. Any other suggestions?

Thanks! Here are the samples!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Dec 28, 2008 at 01:59 AM · View previous versions

Dec 28, 2008 at 01:39 AM

TJ Asher
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p.1 #2 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

Why change a thing?

Make it look just like last time. It's brilliant!

Use the same background as last time too.

That way you can compile last year and this year together into a seamless project.

Need a snoot? Make one out of cinefoil.

Dec 28, 2008 at 01:54 AM

canerino
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p.1 #3 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

thanks TJ!

I plan on making it look the same, but I have different gear this time around. I'd really like to shoot these at f/11 - f/16 ISO 100 for cleaner, sharper images.

i'll have to check out the cinefoil! thanks for the tip!

Dec 28, 2008 at 02:03 AM

tsaraleksi
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p.1 #4 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

I shot some stuff that looked a bit like this, though I didn't take the time to really perfect it--

This was with two AB800s, one with a brolly box to camera left, the other behind them lighting up the wall. I think with some tweaking a similar setup would give you about the same look you have in the (fantastic) example images. (this example was f/13, ISO50)

Dec 28, 2008 at 03:15 AM

crockett
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p.1 #5 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

one with a brolly box to camera left

camera right?

Dec 28, 2008 at 04:33 AM

tsaraleksi
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p.1 #6 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

Yeah I think you might be right about that one... considering the shadows and all. Good catch.

Dec 28, 2008 at 04:37 AM

cgardner
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p.1 #7 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

I've seen that previous series on your site - they are great. You can improvise just about anything you need in a pinch out of cardboard and aluminum foil

For future reference the set of four metal grids (10, 20, 30, 40 degrees) and what Buff calls the Modiifer Base are handy to have in your kit. The modifier base makes it easy to use gels (holders available from AB) and / or the set of barn-doors Buff sells. It will also hold a grid making it easy to use a grid, gel and barn doors on a light all at the same time to control a background or accent light.

Dec 29, 2008 at 01:24 AM

Matt Leitholt
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p.1 #8 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

That's the best series I have saw in a while. Why change a thing? I love it.

Dec 29, 2008 at 03:03 AM

sifpandor
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p.1 #9 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

I remeber seeing this series the last time and thought it was a wonderful idea. I'm really pleased that you are doing it again. Whatever you decide make sure to let the FM community know that it's done so we can check it out.

-- Mark

Dec 29, 2008 at 04:39 AM

stiksandstones
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p.1 #10 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

this is one of those 'if aint broke, dont fix it' moments.

Dec 29, 2008 at 04:41 AM

canerino
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p.1 #11 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

so you are all saying that i should get the same hotlights, and use the same settings vs using better strobes at 'better' apertures, at lower ISOs?

maybe I should rephrase. I have no intention of altering the style of the lighting. Style wise, these came out exactly as I intended. I just want to change the way to get there. I feel like I could do it better with better gear...no?

i feel like these would be better if shot at f/13, 1/200th, ISO 100?

Dec 29, 2008 at 05:50 AM

rico
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p.1 #12 · Would LOVE some suggestions! (samples inside)

Wow, great series! Your hotlight exposures seem quite workable in that setting. Especially in B&W and a modern DSLR, you can boost ISO two stops. That should allow extra DOF if you feel constrained. A psychological aspect of hotlight versus strobe might be the effect on your subjects' composure through their shoot... hmm.

Dec 29, 2008 at 06:05 AM

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