GEMorgan wrote:
I have a quick question for JohnE.
You appear to have about the same amount of space as I do for shooting in your studio. What focal lengths do you find yourself using mostly? For me, with head shots I can use up to about 70 or 85 mm before I start to run out of space, mostly relying on a 50mm prime. But for anything more I have to drop back to my 24-85mm and I'm not sure I going like the results. Are these wide angles typically used in fashion and portraiture when full length shots are being done?
From what I see in your setup, you have your model around 6 feet from the backdrop, lighting positions vary of course, but how far are you from the model?
BTW, Thanks a ton for your support of this forum (and everyone else too). You all have greatly helped a natural light guy get into studio work lately...
Eric...Show more →
Hi eric.
Good question... You are correct, the model is typically 6' from the background on average. My most favored lens in the EF24-70f2.7/L. I usually shoot at around 50mm (I try to avoid the extreme focal length ends of the lens.) I typically shot a model from a low angle and I'm typically about 6 to 8 ' from the model.
If the model is tall, I'll place her about 4' from the background and switch to the EF70-200f2.8/L/IS and I'll move back to about 20'+ from the model. That way, she will still look thin/proportionate and her head won't protrude above the level of the top of the roll of seamless.
I'm not up on windows software, but you can mimic the comic balloons by making a custom shape in Photoshop. I don't think anything matches Comic Life though - $25 - good deal.
Good question... You are correct, the model is typically 6' from the background on average. My most favored lens in the EF24-70f2.7/L. I usually shoot at around 50mm (I try to avoid the extreme focal length ends of the lens.) I typically shot a model from a low angle and I'm typically about 6 to 8 ' from the model.
If the model is tall, I'll place her about 4' from the background and switch to the EF70-200f2.8/L/IS and I'll move back to about 20'+ from the model. That way, she will still look thin/proportionate and her head won't protrude above the level of the top of the roll of seamless.
Hope this answers your question.
best regards,
John...Show more →
Thanks John! This helps. I will have to experiment with the perspective and get the tape measure out!
Well we had to move out of our last studio since they were going to tear it down and put up condos. Gotta love progress ;=(
Moved into a new place down the street, going from 11,000 feet to 2,500 feet was a real shocker. They had to haul away all the 20 years of excess in 2 40 foot trash containers. Oh well they say it is good to start over every so often. But things are a lot simpler now and the studio is coming along. This was a view of my studio posted back in May which was 32x54 with 14 foot ceiling and a 12x60 foot storage area. Talk about spoiled. http://pwcphoto.com/Sets/Colored_Bottles/colored-bottle-set.htm
The new shooting space is quit a bit smaller and is sort an L shape, 15 feet wid by 27 feet long but at least has 18 foot ceiling. This image is a setup used for some tabletop images with some of the images posted below.
Not the most exciting things to shoot, but they do pay the bills.
On the bright side. We just signed the lease for another studio in the adjoining building where we are located which will add an additional 29x39 foot of shooting space with 20 foot high ceilings. We are in the process of painting and decorating it and will post sime images once it is done.
Love the way this thread has grown. Some really interesting stuff to read and look at. Lets keep it going!
Wow, am I impressed Phil. I'll say you were spoiled. Even so, the new space sounds excellent (and I can't wait to see shots of your new studio.)
I must compliment you on your very sophisticated/elaborate lighting setups and the resulting quality of your work. I feel my product shots really lack some of the quality that you work shows. I'd love to intern with you on product work.
Keep up the excellent work and keep posting so the rest of us can grow. :-)
grosema wrote:
Thank's JohnE
For all your help.
I just picked up a sheet of clear Plexi glass and a white sheet 10x18 and now I can go with confidence knowing I can get the job done. The only flash I have is an old Norman Enterprise with umbrella that was given to me but works great and a 420 flash on the 5D, shot in my Living room.
Thank's for the how too on the Gaussian Blur for the background it works great These first shoot's are on my Grand Kids and I am having fun printing them out. Thank You for your time and devotion to the Forum. ...Show more →
Thanks George. Those shots are just THE very cutest! Well done!!!!
I hope you have so much fun in the studio. You clearly have a great way of bringing out the best in kids.
grosema wrote:
Thank's JohnE
For all your help.
I just picked up a sheet of clear Plexi glass and a white sheet 10x18 and now I can go with confidence knowing I can get the job done. The only flash I have is an old Norman Enterprise with umbrella that was given to me but works great and a 420 flash on the 5D, shot in my Living room.
Thank's for the how too on the Gaussian Blur for the background it works great
These first shoot's are on my Grand Kids and I am having fun printing them out
Thank You for your time and devotion to the Forum.
Bigger and more here............ C&C Welcome ...Show more →
Hello again.
I would like to tell you guys, about oficial opening my own studio today!
this is my recent setup:
studio place: 4 m x 8,5 m and the 3 m high (neutral grey color for ala surface),
Elinchrom lights :
2 strobe units 400FX (400 Ws),
Ranger RX Speed AS Power Pack (12v battery powered or 220V), with Free Lite S head (2400Ws) and Ringflash 1500 Ws Speed.
Elinchrom:
Beauty Dish 44cm, Rotalux (octagonal) 135cm, VariStar 85 cm, softboxes, umbrellas, grids, color gels and reflectors.
Manfrotto:
Combi-boom stand 420B, various stands and other tools,
Background Support System.
Colorama: paper backgrounds.
some examples from the studio setup I will post soon
ilegales wrote:
Serg - Congratulations on your new studio -
You have a fantastic setup there -
Please post some studio setup shots i would really like to see them -
Hey - Now you have the new studio how about to arrange some meeting for some of the central europe FMers -
I live in Prague now -
Best
Alejandro
Hey buddy! sorry for no responding, I have a lot of things on my head (opening studio is a huge stuff) its take all of my time in last few weeks
But I think about real meeting all the time.
The real time for realise this project (meeting) for me is a december ( now I have a lot of work and other things) but after 2-nd december I will have a free time, finnaly
so, if anybody want to meet in Warsaw for some real workshop ( I think 2-4 days will be good), I have a big pleasure to invite FM members in this beautiful city.
This is what I can give:
My time , studio, my experience and advices in all this time (lighting and PS postprocess), pro models, makeup artists.
In this time I will assist with all sessions, and all my studio equipment will be available.
I understand of course, this time (december) not ideal for all of you, but if we create some group (maybe 10) is will be pretty good for start
please put your opinion on this post, or email me, or maybe create some new post and lets start to prepare for the Real Storm !
Finally, I can sleep. I have read all the posts since the first one. It took me 3 days to finish now at almost 1 am. I have to say that I no longer have to go anywhere else to do my studio research. I found every answer that I could ever want here. Books to read, aperture settings, lights to use plus a whole lot more. I have made many notes and now I’m convinced in buying a swarm of Bees of my own. I would like to thank all of you that took the time to share you pix and took the time to explain everything. JohnE, you must be a patient man because I saw a lot of repetitive questions that you just answered as if it was the first time you were asked. Your shots are totally awesome and inspiring. Thank you for all your insight and tips and tricks. This is the most unbelievable thread I have ever read. Thank you and good night to all!!
