fredmiranda.com

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Lighting & Studio Techniques | Join Upload & Sell

1 2 3 … 35

37 … 122 123 end

Archive 2004 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

JohnE
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #1 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

George,

Thanks for the compliment.

About the side black curtains...

! they are stapled to the ceiling. :-)

About lighting small to medium products on a white background and trying to keep the Photoshop work to a minimum...

You have almost the perfect setup. When I shoot products, I have a few sheets of 4' x 8' x 1/8" milky-white plexglas. I clamp one end to two metal stands (adjustable saw horses) and run it back towards and bend it up in an arc up the wall (this results in a nice smooth curved transition with no seams to worry about cloning out. Then for lighting, put a small to medium softbox directly underneath the plexi to bring in a nice glow from below (when you need it.) I typically use the Photoflex 5' Octodome on a boom directly overhead for a soft flooding light and then I use a variety of side lights (spots, grids, gels, etc.) to provide the accent lighting.

You can then grab a chair, roll your computer stand right up next to you, shoot tethered to the computer... everything at your fingertips. From your seat you can (1) adjust all of your light positions, adjust thier output (with the AB wired remote), adjust camera settings, shoot and view the results on the screen and know you got the shot.

So don't forget...

1. A (portable) computer
2. Shoot tethered to the computer
3. A rolling cart for the computer

Best regards,
John

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 08:18 AM

GeorgeHuff
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #2 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

JohnE wrote:
George,

Thanks for the compliment.

About the side black curtains...

! they are stapled to the ceiling. :-) - Wow just regular heavy duty staples. How wide are these side curtains? How do you move them out of the way?

About lighting small to medium products on a white background and trying to keep the Photoshop work to a minimum...

You have almost the perfect setup. When I shoot products, I have a few sheets of 4' x 8' x 1/8" milky-white plexglas. I clamp one end to two metal stands (adjustable saw horses) What type of sawhorses do you use, and where...Show more →

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 11:08 AM

ketamine
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #3 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Shooting tethered to a USB 1.1 camera (D70) is not fun. You'll be waiting ages for images to come up on screen in the capture software. JohnE, be glad your cameras have firewire and 2.0!

Are you sure you'll need a hair light for a manequin? If you're shooting just for clothing you'll probably want flat even lighting to showcase the clothes.

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 12:14 PM

GeorgeHuff
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #4 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

ketamine wrote:
Shooting tethered to a USB 1.1 camera (D70) is not fun. You'll be waiting ages for images to come up on screen in the capture software. JohnE, be glad your cameras have firewire and 2.0!

Are you sure you'll need a hair light for a manequin? If you're shooting just for clothing you'll probably want flat even lighting to showcase the clothes.

I had no idea that the D70 is USB 1.1 - that sucks! Is there any way around that? Firmware upgrade or something? I really want to shoot tethered, but I don't want to wait forever.

You know Carlos, to be honest I don't know whether I need a hairlight or not? Another person from DP Review reccomended that I get 5 lights/strobes, and use 1 for hairlight? He actually told me to get 4-AB400's, and 1-AB800.

This is why I keep posting, because I'm hoping to get some consistant advice from you guys that are pros, before I make my final decision. I would really like to wrap it up this week.

I was originally going to just get 2 strobes, then everbody said I need at least 4 strobes -because of the 2 for the background. And now recently was told to get 5 strobes. Next thing I'll get is probably 6 or more - go figure. So by all means let me know what you think.

Thanks,
George

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 12:51 PM

J.A.F. Doorhof
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #5 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Hi,
I use 4 flashes, 2x 250 and 2x 400W.
Because I now have one hanging from the ceiling permanent I will be using another one soon probarbly another 250W

Normally I use 2 on the front and one on the back, except with white backdrops I use 2 on the back.

On the other hand I sometimes use just one flash and get good shots with that, the ammount of flashes used will in NO way reflect your end result (more is better), instead most of the time less is better because you can create wonderful natural looking shots. Balancing 2 or more flashes is sometimes very difficult to make look good.

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 01:22 PM

fimchick
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #6 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Slightly off topic but -- John, those are some *fantastic* pictures and a very nice setup!

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 01:47 PM

JohnE
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #7 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Hey! I'm shooting WiFi now! Look Ma... no cables! :-)

...and that's not all that slow.

John

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 03:57 PM

JohnE
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #8 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

fimchick wrote:
Slightly off topic but -- John, those are some *fantastic* pictures and a very nice setup!

Thanks, I apprecaite the compliment. :-)

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 03:59 PM

griffitg
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #9 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

John, which WiFi setup did you go with? I know there are a couple out there besides the Canon so I thought I'd ask.

I like that setup, but I'm not sure why the Canon wi-fi is twice the cost of the Nikon setup. Go figure.........

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 05:01 PM

rads
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #10 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

I would rather have 4 x 800 and just usa a reflector for fill. That way your modeling lights are all proportional. If you have a 150 watt in an 800 and 150 watt in a 400 the modeling lights will be giving off the same power when the flash is really half as strong. You could put 75 watts in the 400's but then what do you do if you need a 1600 later.
I think a reflector is easier to use than another light for fill.

I currently get by with just 3 lights and reflectors. Once in a while it would be nice to have one more though.

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 05:09 PM

J.A.F. Doorhof
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #11 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

It depends on your setup.
I use my flashes in pairs.
The 250W's are all in front, the 400W's in the back, so they work on different area's it takes a little while to get used to.
The difference is thankfully not 2x but there is a difference of arround 10-20% the way I see it, I'm totally used at it at the moment.

Greetings,
Frank

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 05:13 PM

GeorgeHuff
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #12 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

JohnE wrote:
George,

Thanks for the compliment.

About the side black curtains...

! they are stapled to the ceiling. :-)

About lighting small to medium products on a white background and trying to keep the Photoshop work to a minimum...

You have almost the perfect setup. When I shoot products, I have a few sheets of 4' x 8' x 1/8" milky-white plexglas. I clamp one end to two metal stands (adjustable saw horses) and run it back towards and bend it up in an arc up the wall (this results in a nice smooth curved transition with no seams to worry about cloning out....Show more →

John,

I have a few more questions

JohnE wrote:
About the side black curtains... ! they are stapled to the ceiling. :-)
- Wow just regular heavy duty staples. How wide are these side curtains? How do you move them out of the way?

JohnE wrote:
When I shoot products, I have a few sheets of 4' x 8' x 1/8" milky-white plexglas. I clamp one end to two metal stands (adjustable saw horses)
- What type of sawhorses do you use, and where can I get them?

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 05:17 PM

JohnE
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #13 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

griffitg wrote:
John, which WiFi setup did you go with? I know there are a couple out there besides the Canon so I thought I'd ask.
I like that setup, but I'm not sure why the Canon wi-fi is twice the cost of the Nikon setup. Go figure.........

Expensive!

! Its all relative. I started out trying the WiPics wireless unit from Dice America. It was a slick (but large) unit that clips to your belt and then has a cable that runs from the belt unit to a simulated CF Card that plugs into the card slot on the camera. The belt unit contains all of the electronics AND it also contains a 30GB hard disk inside (the HD is optional) but adds extra value when the wifi signal drops off and the files are buffered on the HD. As soon as the unit comes back into range of the wifi signal, it automatically resumes the image file transfer... VERY slick.

The only problem was... I am a very active shooter, moving around, up and down constantly during a shoot. I'm forever stepping or kneeling on the cable or catching it on something... so the cable was still a problem for me, just not as bad as being fully tethered with a cable. (I would still recommend the unit for less-active shooters that want the safety of the Hard Disk in the wifi unit.) Anyway, that unit is about $1800.

The manufacturers were incredible nice and were able to accept the returned unit. Had it not been for the cable I would never have returned.

I now have the Canon wifi unit that attaches to the bottom of the camera. It does not have a HD or memory buffer and may not be as fast as the WiPics units, but at least it doesn't have a tethering cable.

I'm a happy camper with this unit.

Best regards,
John

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 11:17 PM

canonpro
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #14 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Alien Bees B800 and B1600 and two 32x40 softboxes
http://homepage.mac.com/summergirl007/.Pictures/Jerry%20Studio/lighting.jpg

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 11:33 PM

GeorgeHuff
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #15 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Hey John,

I have a couple more questions if you don't mind.'

- So your black side curtains are just regular heavy duty staples. Also, how do you move them out of the way.

- Are the sawhorses, just regular sawhorses from Home Depot, or something special?

- What size and type of umbrellas do you use - (convertable or adjustable) do you use for your 2 AB400 background lights?

- Do you think for my room size (10.5'x13.5'x8' ceilings) that 2-AB800's and 3 AB400's is the way to go as opposed to maybe a 1600 or some other combination?

- I'm planning on using Photoflex boxes and primarily using a 5' Octobox for my main, but I'm not sure what size/type boxes to get for fill, strip/hair and a softbox that would work well for the light I use under the plexiglass for small product.

Thanks,
George

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 09, 2005 at 11:37 PM

JohnE
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #16 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

GeorgeHuff wrote:
Hey John,

I have a couple more questions if you don't mind.'

- So your black side curtains are just regular heavy duty staples. Also, how do you move them out of the way.

- Are the sawhorses, just regular sawhorses from Home Depot, or something special?

- What size and type of umbrellas do you use - (convertable or adjustable) do you use for your 2 AB400 background lights?

- Do you think for my room size (10.5'x13.5'x8' ceilings) that 2-AB800's and 3 AB400's is the way to go as opposed to maybe a 1600 or some other combination?

- I'm planning on using Photoflex...Show more →

Sigh... Well, I just spent 20 minutes typing a detailed response and I clicked the wrong button and lost it all. I'll try back later when the frustration resides. :-(
Sorry.

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 10, 2005 at 08:02 AM

griffitg
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #17 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

George, I think someone already pointed out what seems rather obvious to most of us here; you are packing an aweful lot of gear for a room that's considered 'undersized' for all but close-up and macro/product shots and maybe some half-length. Look at your sizes again and consider what a 5' foot octobox will do to the size of a room that's 10x13? When you consider that the light has a depth of about 2.5 feet, you effectively make your room 2.5 feet smaller than it already is. Also, unless this room is all black, you will most likely have problems using that many lights without introducing additional problems. The black curtains will help, but it seems like a simpler setup would be the best way to go.

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 10, 2005 at 08:09 AM

benj
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #18 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

HEY GUYS! Why don't we start a new thread. THis has been around since before January...not that I'm against it. I think this thread could be published as a book, and be very informative. I just think it's a lot to have to go through. Most ofthe other threads have very few posts if any...lots of views, but no one seems to want to post in any thread other than this...

Just trying to mix it up a little.

BY the way, I have to thank all of you for the info in this thread. I was trying to figure out what lights to get a while back, and I finally got the Boom half dome from photoflex that I was wondering about because I saw so many great shots on this thread using the same or similar.

Well, have a great day.

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 10, 2005 at 11:43 AM

benj
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #19 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Okay...it was Octover 2004 when it started. I think this should win some type of record or something!

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 10, 2005 at 11:43 AM

benj
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.36 #20 · Re: Show us YOUR Studio

Oooops! I mean...October 2004

Edited on Dec 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM

May 10, 2005 at 11:44 AM

1 2 3 … 35 36 37 … 122 123 end
FM Forums \| Lighting & Studio Techniques \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 … 35 36 37 … 122 123 end