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).

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

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

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

"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.

Kevin,

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

Thx again

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

Appreciate the kindness.

Michael

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

Mufutau

Kevin,

You Da Man!

Folks,

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

Great Idea.

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

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

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!

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

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.

Ringlight

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

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

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

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

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:

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.