GeorgeHuff
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John,
I was hoping you would respond to this thread before I placed my order this week. I’ve looked at your work and you have set the bar to a standard that I only hope to someday achieve. My background is in industrial, and digital design, and I need to incorporate photography into my work.
Right now most of my work is website and conceptual design, and I have a steady client base that requires about 150-200 new products a week and each product requires 5-6 images/photos each. All of the shots require an all white background, and I’m trying to achieve this hot white style to decrease the photoshop work.
Clothing shots of full body mannequins represents about 70%, while small electronics, toys, etc., represent the rest of the product work. I felt I should mention this so that you could look at my list, and tell me your thoughts based on my current needs.
I’m willing to invest the money, because I already have the work. I would really like to decrease the 40-60 hours a week that we spend in photoshop. I really don’t want to purchase unnecessary equipment, but I also want to make sure I have everything covered. Keep in mind that the room size is 10.5' x 13.5' w/ 8' ceilings. I would really appreciate your advice on the following list I have put together.
2 AB800
3 AB400
1 Sekonic L-358 - w/ radio transmitter
3 Pocket wizards - 1 multimax, 1 PW Plus kit transmitter and receiver
1 AB wired remote
1 HD stand w/ casters and boom from AB
2 AB Background stands
1 Boom w/casters from amvona – already own
6 C-stands - 3 different sizes from amvona - already own
3 40" grip arms - - already own
2 AB barndoors
1 set of 4 honeycomb grids
1 set of gels, nd filters, diffusion filters
2 AB or Photoflex umbrellas? – I want to get at least a couple, but not sure what size and or type and color to get. I'm thinking of using at least 2 for the background lights like your using John.
1 - 5’ octobox - or softbox? - not sure about the size?
1 – 3’ octobox – or softbox? - not sure about the size?
1 – hairlight softbox – not sure what size?
I'm really debating whether to get the AB or Photoflex softboxes/octoboxes - I could save some money with AB and also use the 20% discount, but everybody seems to favor Photoflex or better quality boxes.
Giottos MT-8180 Carbon Fiber Tripod - Markins M10L
Bogen / Manfrotto 681B 3 Section Monopod w/ 3232 swivel head, markins QR Clamp
RRS L Bracket
Lenses
60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor
50mm f/1.4D or the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D?
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6D ED - for outdoor beginning tele fun.
Some white, black, clear 6 x 8 plexiglass.
2 sawhorses, or something for small product.
9' White, black seamless on Autopole type system or something wall or ceiling mounted.
Misc. - sandbags, weights, clamps, foamcore, reflectors.
Black curtains around the room on a rail system.
JohnE wrote:
I'm not sure I understand your question about the curtain and the background lights. Could youn please clarify?
In your pictures of your studio I noticed that you put a set of black curtains on each side, in front of 2 background lights w/umbrellas. It appeared that these curtains were not on the same rail system as the other curtains, and I was wondering how you have these curtains hung.
Thanks,
George
Carlos,
No offense taken, I actually have very limited experience with studio photography. Please let me know what you think I should purchase for my needs. I’m glad you gave some opinions, and I hope others do as well. That’s part of learning.
I actually have been working with 3 hot lights and a tent for the last year with a Nikon 990 and a cheap Quantray tripod. I realize that’s not a lot of experience, but I know I’m baking and working to hard, therefore it’s time to move on.
I do have some good reading material – The Lighting Cookbook, Master Lighting Guide, and Close-Up Photography. I’ve ordered the Light: Science and Magic book. I’ll check out the other titles you’ve mentioned as well.
I’ll take your advice and avoid the mod units and the uv and some of the other filters. I just don’t know what I need. I don’t have any idea how I would use any of the filters – I just thought I would get them all because they are so cheap – like $100 for all of them with a 20% discount. Figured I could use them eventually?
Unfortunately, the door is not an option – It a side entrance that won’t help.
Do you have a particular lens that you would recommend to accommodate the 24-36mm range?
Thanks,
George
JohnE wrote:
Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM
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