how do you tell when to use softboxes vs. translucent umbrellas, to brollys? It is all so confusing..

I would like to be able to do portraits.. and also the stuff JohnE shoots.. full body like that.. very nice.. is there anywhere I can learn about each and what function they give?

Thanks JohnE, product shots pay the bills and I get better each time I do a session. Learning how to keep the glare down on those bright white packages these days by diffusion! I hope someday to get to the level of what you and your daughter are doing with your "vargas girls" photos. Love the polish that you put on each photograph. That's what makes it art!

Let's see more studios people!! We all learn from each other.

ibJames, I mainly use softboxes. Never have really used umbrellas but I'm from the advertising photography side of the business and we just always used softboxes. I use barn doors with gels and raw lights without any diffusion for background and effects from time to time.

I think JohnE and others will agree with me, the best way to learn is just get in the studio and start moving things around and see what works best for you.

Good luck!

For those of you looking for the curtain track as shown in John E's setup....I just found it at Ikea today. They have the track pieces, even the curves, and the clips to attach to your cutains. I plan on getting some when the second half of my studio is finished.

Any additional setup shots? I'm adding equipment to my collection so need ideas of anything else I need to buy. Amazing how you can spend $1k in a week just to overhall your setup. Like someone else said, it's hard to explain that you have to shell out $900 for a new carpet just because you have a camera.

I second that! Seeing JohnE's setup really helped me in selecting the equipment for my studio. Much to my wifes dismay heheh.

Just getting started with lighting. Isn't the Alien Bees just strobes. Not continuous lighting. Is this right?

Correct. Alien Bees are indeed strobes.

I was thinking about buying some continuous lighting for lighting the backdrop (no need to have expensive strobes for that), but someone stopped me before and said don't ever mix lighting. So that's to you slruser if you're trying to figure out what things to buy. If you go for strobes, go all the way. If you go for continuous (and don't mind the air conditioning bills), then do all them that way.

Here ya go:

and here is one shot from the shoot....

StevenD

Thanks alot for the studio shot. Looks GREAT. As does the above result.!!!!

Can you please indicate all that is in the picture in terms of what lights..and how many?

Oh sure, I had one x800 White Lightning on approx 3/4 power shooting thru a Photoflex large Multidome with two silver and two gold panels in it, approx 7ft from the Model.

One the other side I had another x800 White Lightning, at approx. 3/8 power bounced into a Calumet Umbrella.

The hair light was on the Boom, overhead, a B400 on approx. 1/2 power and a 10 degree grid in it.

The background is a Photek, Black, velvet-like material.

I had a B800 on 1/4 power shooting a pink gel on the background, when I saw that the black background was pretty much swallowing up all the pink from the background light, I turned it onto the Model, you can see the extra pink high lites on her left side, I liked it as it added a certain warm glow..

Steven, thanks for the picture of the studio, and the example shot. I am going nuts trying to figure out what to buy. I am thinking three WL x800's, but if they won't go low enough, and the x1600 is better because of the 1/4 switch which will let them go lower than the x800 then I am needing to rethink my purchase. It seems crazy to buy a more powerful light in order to go lower. If thats indeed an issue, then I would probably be better buying AB400's. I don't want to have to shoot all my shots at f22.

What was the aperture on the pink shot above?

Paul

For most most of my studio shots I shoot manual at F8 250 shutter speed.

A question for all those who use reflectors. What is the best general all purpose reflector you own? I'm gonna pick one up to start playing with some natural light portrait/macro/product stuff and want to start very basic.

Tips would be good ta. I have been looking at the lastolite range or 30com or 50cm relfectors.

Chris

Man!.........You guys are going make me spend more money!


Great info! Keep em' coming!

Unfortunatly I dont have my own studio, for commercial shots Ijust rent pro studio in Warsaw or my clients already rent them
but for my personal work and some boring days I shoot in my living room,

chris78cpr wrote:
A question for all those who use reflectors. What is the best general all purpose reflector you own? I'm gonna pick one up to start playing with some natural light portrait/macro/product stuff and want to start very basic.

Tips would be good ta. I have been looking at the lastolite range or 30com or 50cm relfectors.

Chris
try the calumet 3-d reflector..........

JohnE,

Your finished shots are amazing and setup photos are truly inspirational.

May I know where can I get the gold reflector in your third setup? What kind of stand did you use for this reflector? You and your daughter are very creative and talented.

Thanks,
Seth

Serg,
As always, I always admire your creativity and style.

splate wrote:
JohnE,
Your finished shots are amazing and setup photos are truly inspirational.
May I know where can I get the gold reflector in your third setup? What kind of stand did you use for this reflector? You and your daughter are very creative and talented.
Thanks,
Seth

Thanks Seth. Kortney and I appreciate the compliment.

The reflector is from PhotoFlex and it is their LitePanel reflector Kit. The material for the one that I have is gold on one side and white on the other. The frame is 6' x 3' and the whole thing collapses and stores in its bag. I purchase both the reflector material and the difusion material.

You can purchase the stand and the stand-to-frame connectors for it (I did.)

I also bought the 7' x 7' version and have suspended it over a pool with the difusion material to tone down the direct sunlight for a recent shoot (I think there is a photo somewhere on FM's where I show it suse.

Hope this helps.
John

http://www.photoflex.com

Translucent panel gives reflection or diffusion.
Shock-corded frame enables set up and take down in minutes.
Square tube frame prevents twisting and rounded edges make positioning two panels together easy.
Extensive Quality Control process ensures a perfect product.
The LitePanel Kit comes with a Crossbar, 2214 LiteStand, Main & T Clamp, Carry Bag, and two reversible fabrics:
Translucent and Soft Gold/White
Translucent is used to diffuse light. Produces broad light source and soft effects.
Soft Gold mixes silver and gold in zig-zag pattern. Warm, summery feel. Great with skin tones.
White White brightens the reflected light.

LitePanel Kit
#FV-PANELKIT1
39x72" (99×183cm)

Frame: Aluminum

Fabrics: Translucent, White/Soft Gold

Hardware: Crossbar, LiteStand, Main & T Clamp, Carry Bag

LP-A3972FR
LP-3972WT
LP-3972ZZ
LP-A39CB
LS-2214
LP-A1600CLP
LP-1603BAG


© 2004 - Photoflex Products Inc.

Man, I really like all of your set ups. I managed to attain quite a few neat ideas from the photo's that I saw. Unfortunatly due to renting a small studio apartment, I don't have much room, but I may have the length to pull of a few shots. I will definetly have to try this out. Ofcourse I need lighting first.
lol..

Thanks for the posts guys, you all just inspired 1 more person to set up a in home studio.

OK, here's where I normally shoot at...

Daschund

And here's a pano of it...

Daschund