I have a couple more questions if you don't mind.'
{JE: My pleasure.)
- So your black side curtains are just regular heavy duty staples. Also, how do you move them out of the way.
(JE: Yep, just used a staple gun. It was quick and easy. The curtains are a very light-weight black fabric. When I don't need them, I throw them over the nearest lightstand or I clip then back against the wall.)
- Are the sawhorses, just regular sawhorses from Home Depot, or something special?
(JE: These were made of tubular metal with a plastic table area. The table area can extend up/down and can be titled and locked into place. I thnk they cost me around $20.)
- What size and type of umbrellas do you use - (convertable or adjustable) do you use for your 2 AB400 background lights?
(JE: Very simple 36" white interior/black exterior umbrellas that came with the first lighting kit that I bought off ebay well over 5 yrs ago. Nothing special.)
- 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?
(JE: I purchased 1600's only because I use them outside and on location and to power through when I use the 7' Octodome. Other than that, 400's and 800's should be plenty.)
- 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.
(JE: I rarely use a strobe for a fill. I mostly use a selection of reflectors and primarily a 3' x 6' gold toned Photoflax refector. IMHO, its too easy to overlight the subject. I then use the spare strobe for accent or a side kicker light.)
The key light is a hard light (no difuser) and is placed near the camera lens. This makes her legs and arms have that glow right in the middle of them. It's an interesting method I haven't tried yet. I tend to stay away from any of my lights being hard besides the hair light.
Nick,
Do you mind if I ask what your post work was, I really like the glam look these shots have. I have been looking for a process and can't nail it yet.
Hey John,
Thanks for all your help , sorry about losing the 20 minute post earlier, I do really appreciate your help and I'm almost through bothering you. I have just a few more questions, and if you can take a look at my first atempt at a final list and let me know your thoughts.
- How wide are your side curtains, and did you cut them?
- Any idea where yiou got the sawhorses? I'm trying to visualize your description. Are they very similiar to just the palstic sawhorses at home depot? The extended and tilited feature of the table intiques me, and /i could see how those features could be a benefit.
For those great shots that Nic posted of the girl go here. Mick Brochu has kindly shown how he got those shots to their final stages, you can even download them to pratice on.
For those great shots that Nic posted of the girl go here. Mick Brochu has kindly shown how he got those shots to their final stages, you can even download them to pratice on.
GeorgeHuff wrote:
Hey John,
Thanks for all your help , sorry about losing the 20 minute post earlier, I do really appreciate your help and I'm almost through bothering you. I have just a few more questions, and if you can take a look at my first atempt at a final list and let me know your thoughts.
(JE: My pleasure.)
- How wide are your side curtains, and did you cut them?
(JE: They are approx 4-6' wide. Just wide enough to block any spill from my background lights. Your usage (width) may vary.)
- Any idea where yiou got the sawhorses? I'm trying to visualize your description. Are they very similiar to just the palstic sawhorses at home depot? The extended and tilited feature of the table intiques me, and /i could see how those features could be a benefit.
(JE: You may not realize just how big this is. I don't think it will work in your studio, especially for full body shots. All you can do is stand in front of it... and that puts you too close to your subject. The max size I would recommend for you is the 5' version of the Octodone. At least with that one, you can sit or lay underneath it.)
(JE: I still recommend a good reflector (3' or 4' x 6') over a fill light. I also don;t think you have enough studio space to handle two light modifiers of this size. My 1st studio was 10' wide by 18' long (I think), and it was difficult to work with the 5' Octodome in that space. There is hardly any room off to the sides. Don't forget, you'll need a heavy duty stand with a boom arm and counter weight for this.)
(JE: The link is broken. If its the very small half-dome, cool. Remember the height of the half-dome really restricts its usage with an 8' ceiling. Keep your subjects well under 6'.)
I am gearing up for my first photo studio. It will take up the entire portion of a 25x25' 2 car garage with 9' ceilings. I would like to ask those more experienced than I am what they would recommend for a paint color for the walls and ceiling. Also, what sort of lighting works best? does fluorescent work well, or is incandescent or halogen better?
THanks again - I am almost ready to pull the trigger. I'm just having a hard time deciding what light modifier I will use for the fill-accent extremities light which will be a AB800. I noticed you use some kind of round disk/diffusor on your light - what is that.
I was considering the 22' AB beauty dish, or possibly a med multidome. Any thoughts. I definetelty will be using reflectors as well, I would just like to finalize that last light.
Also, do you think 45" umbellas are too big for the background lights? Photoflex offers either 45 or 30 inch umbrellas - I know they have a 60" to, but I'm not considering that parasol.
winnjewett wrote:
I am gearing up for my first photo studio. It will take up the entire portion of a 25x25' 2 car garage with 9' ceilings. I would like to ask those more experienced than I am what they would recommend for a paint color for the walls and ceiling. Also, what sort of lighting works best? does fluorescent work well, or is incandescent or halogen better?
THanks again - I am almost ready to pull the trigger. I'm just having a hard time deciding what light modifier I will use for the fill-accent extremities light which will be a AB800. I noticed you use some kind of round disk/diffusor on your light - what is that.
(JE: Way back when PhotoFlex was starting up an on-line light course, I signed up and they sent a few of those 12" difusion panels and reflectors. I just clamp the difusion panel to the light modifier frame. I'm not sure if they sell them any longer.)
I was considering the 22' AB beauty dish, or possibly a med multidome. Any thoughts. I definetelty will be using reflectors as well, I would just like to finalize that last light.
(JE: Each modifier has its place. The beauty dsh produced a slightly harder light, something what you might see in Maxim's photos. he multidome produces a softer light.)
Also, do you think 45" umbellas are too big for the background lights? Photoflex offers either 45 or 30 inch umbrellas - I know they have a 60" to, but I'm not considering that parasol.
(JE: Yep, I think the 45" umbrellas are a bit too big for your space. 30" should get the job done and allow you some movement in the room.)
Hey to all using white paper background, Can you tell your lighting ratio(for white paper,for subject and then overall) and the distances for the same? I'm having trouble w/ uneven "white" paper and I guess just the whole concept. Thanks for all the great info.
Is that perspex or glass that the models stand on in your studio? I love the idea. would you recommend any particular type of material that's more resistant to scratches? and how much can you buy them for?
OK, add me to the list of victims of this thread. Since I started reading this thread the following has been bought. (In the past month)
From Alien Bees;
2-B400, 2-B800's
2- 13' air cushioned stands, 10' stand, back light stand, Boom arm
Every light reflector and modifier that Alien Bee has to offer.
Amvona AS-015-2 background stand
3-10'x20' hand painted Muslins (Blue, Green and Reddish colors)
2- High Key White and black 10'x20'
Not to mention the 70-200 f/2.8L IS and the 24-70 f/2.8L Canon Lenses.
I bought the books; Light Science & Magic, Master Lighting guide, Still Life and Special Effect Photography, Photographing People
This weekend I will hunt down some Plexiglas sheets. Now I guess I will have to find me a contractor to build me a nice size studio somewhere on my land...geez the craziness photography can cause. I just picked this hobby up Sept of last year.. I now feel like the Little Engine that thought he could. I keep telling myself I can learn this, I can do it, I can, I can ...
I saw this thread back in Feb and I have been in and out since so I just ordered the stuff you see below last week and played around with it today you can see the boxes in the floor just unpacked hehe thanks to everyone here for helping me decide what to get this thread has been very helpful and saved me alot of question asking so I thought I'd share my work in progress...
calvin2 wrote:
How do you like the Amvona background stands?
It seem to be well built and sturdy. I just it Thrusday and my backdrops came in today. I don't like the plastic lock down nut things they have on them. But over all they look nice and came in a nice case. But what do I know, I'm just a newbie myself :-D
calvin2 wrote:
Do you recommend any of the books you purchased for a beginner?
I sure Hope so! I am hoping to learn myself from them. I think the Light Science&Magic An Introduction to Photographic lighting by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua is going to be a good book. Looks to be well writen and goes into great detail.
