47" inch octabox from Alienbees and an ebay knock off softbox that is 32” x 48” soft box.... The ebay softbox actually was pretty nice (based on nothing to compare with)... But the universal ring didn't fit on my bees. When I got a Bee ring and put the soft box on it, the rods were just about 1/4 inch too short so it is a little floppy. But it does the trick. I really don't know the first thing about light spill and the quality of light via different brands of softboxes.
As for the background:
It is a sheer curtain panel I bought from Family Dollar Stores for $5.00. It measures 59" by 84" which was plenty big for my girl. Because it is see through, I put it on top of a light/medium blue thick cotton backdrop. It looks different depending on what is behind it. White gives a more lighter color vs dark and the blue almost makes it a little more purplish. But it is sooo pretty and worked out much better then I expected.
Hope this helps!
ReneeMarie
txbonds wrote:
Really nice shots. Out of curiosity, what size softboxes are you are using, and also what material are your backgrounds. Thanks, Greg.
Thanks for the info. The softbox size helps, as it gives me a relative point to how big my 60 inch photoflex ocotdome will be and a similar sized large soft box would be. I was thinking of getting the photoflex large size for a second box, so your photo gives me an idea of how big it would be. My octobox would simply be just a little big larger. Thanks.
Terrific idea on the background by the way. I have a 6 month old at home, so that's why I'm interested. He's not quite to the point of sitting up on his own, but it won't be long. I'm looking for smaller backdrops to use with him, as it's just too much to fold out and setup a 10x24 muslin for just a shot or two.
Thanks again,
Greg
Reneemarie wrote:
47" inch octabox from Alienbees and an ebay knock off softbox that is 32” x 48” soft box.... The ebay softbox actually was pretty nice (based on nothing to compare with)... But the universal ring didn't fit on my bees. When I got a Bee ring and put the soft box on it, the rods were just about 1/4 inch too short so it is a little floppy. But it does the trick. I really don't know the first thing about light spill and the quality of light via different brands of softboxes.
As for the background:
It is a sheer curtain panel I bought from Family Dollar Stores for $5.00. It measures 59" by 84" which was plenty big for my girl. Because it is see through, I put it on top of a light/medium blue thick cotton backdrop. It looks different depending on what is behind it. White gives a more lighter color vs dark and the blue almost makes it a little more purplish. But it is sooo pretty and worked out much better then I expected.
Np Greg...
I hear you about setting up the big ol' 10' by 20'! It can be a pain... Wishful thinking is that maybe one day I will have one of those cool machines that roll it up and down for you.
This was the first time I have ever shot next to a wall. I was very worried I would have harsh shadows and I usually try to follow the 4-6 feet away from the wall rule. But I couldn't use my backdrop support system because it sits about 2 foot from the wall and I needed something solid to lean the hat box lid against. Overall with the placement of the lights and the dark soft shadows between the box lid and her head, I am MORE then happy with the results.
My octabox was set at about 1/4 power on my AB800 and the softbox at about 1/8th or a little over. All in all shooting about F11 at 1/250. I was for the most part slightly underexposed. I should have shot f10. I don't know if I actually know how to use my light meter right. lol
Little backdrops are great.. Go to the dollar stores or discount stores... And buy cheap sheets, table cloths and curtains. They work GREAT for little people and it isn't breaking the bank.
txbonds wrote:
Thanks for the info. The softbox size helps, as it gives me a relative point to how big my 60 inch photoflex ocotdome will be and a similar sized large soft box would be. I was thinking of getting the photoflex large size for a second box, so your photo gives me an idea of how big it would be. My octobox would simply be just a little big larger. Thanks.
Terrific idea on the background by the way. I have a 6 month old at home, so that's why I'm interested. He's not quite to the point of sitting up on his own, but it won't be long. I'm looking for smaller backdrops to use with him, as it's just too much to fold out and setup a 10x24 muslin for just a shot or two.
Hellou 2 all.I'm from Yugoslavia.I've been watching this thread and decided to post one improvisation of studio.
here is 'setup'.Everything is home made.
(it looks funny, but i don't have enought money for strobes or flashes)
Artillusions, here is the setup for the "Hi Key" shot we had on the 10th. The shoot was for a high end blue jeans company in Los Angeles.
Equipment description:
Backdrop was 107" wide white seamless paper extended 12 feet up supported by Bogen Auto-Poles.
The background lights were made using 4each 4'x7' lightform panels, 2 per side. 2 lightfom panels were clipped together in a V shape with a white shoot through and a black opaque fabric. The white side facing the background the black side facing the camera to act as a gobo. 2 Novatron flash heads were clipped to a lightstand behind each of the panels effectively making a 4x7 foot softbox to illuminate the background. Each lightbank was powered by a 500 ws pack giving 250 ws per head. The meter reading across the backdrop was approx F16.
Above the center of the set was a 4x6 foot Photoflex Multidome softbox, this was used to light the horizontal surface of the paper and to give the model some hairlight as they were standing just slightly in front of it and got the feathered light from the box. The box was approximately 3 feet above the model and was powered at 1200 watt seconds
The main light was a 7 foot Photoflex Octabank powered by 1200 watt seconds about 5 feet from the model giving an F8 reading.
The fill light was a 2x6 foot Photoflex Halfdome set at 800 watt seconds in the vertical orientation.
A small stripdome set at 1200 watt seconds was placed on the floor to the right of the model aiming across the surface to illuminate the dark leather shoes and boots the models were wearing which gave them some detail.
An umbrella and additional 250 watt second head were added to the background light and aimed at the top of the paper as there was some falloff noted as we shot from a lower angle. This evened up the lighting. When I do this again I will add an additional 4 x4 foot lightform panel with white fabric to each of the background banks and place an additional head behind it to give an even illuminations up higher.
Shooting was done at F8 1/250th at ISO 100. The model was about 6 feet in front of the backdrop.
Below are some pictures of the setup from the side, and from the front, the last one showing a closeup of the lightform panels with the flash heads used for the background lights.
I've been following this thread for a long time. This is one of the great things about the internet. I'm really impressed with what everyone has shared. I decided to finally contribute a little something. The link points to three setup/results shots from a while back (click next in the middle to get to the next set). Maybe someone will find them usefull.
Great picture Renee, by the way I just acquire 2 Integra 500 Hensel unit studio light with only umbrellas no softbox. I m wondering where I could get background and softbox for reasonable price.
I bought my knock off soft box (32" x 48") off of ebay for pretty cheap ($36ish and that included shipping) It works pretty good although I have no grounds for comparison, but the speedring didn't fit my Alien Bees. Then I got the 47" octabox from Alienbees and I LOVE it. But again I don't know the difference between that brand and others. People have said that Alienbee accessories are not the best, but I really do love my octabox. I think that was $129ish.
Brent, I will see if I can get permission to post them here and let you know. They are for an upcoming catalog so not sure if they are still secret. You know the fashion industry.
artdaddym wrote:
I've been following this thread for a long time. This is one of the great things about the internet. I'm really impressed with what everyone has shared. I decided to finally contribute a little something. These are a few setup/results shots from a while back. Maybe someone will find them usefull.
the background is much brighter than the power drill. i can also see straight through the cotton? and the creases in the material are also very visible. keep experimenting
Yeah, the drill shot is a little more experimental than the other two. I was trying to go for a rim-light sillhouette effect. The material behind it was actually aluminum screen. More distance from the b/g and a larger aperture would have helped. Although I was trying to get some of the texture from the screen. Something coarser would have worked better.
Thanks for the input.
After 2 months from installation of the light grid my new portrait studio is complete. Probably $2500 in raw materials including wood flooring, paint, lumber for cabinetry and other materials.
Flooring took 2 days. Cabinet construction and assembly took 5 days. Painting was probably 4-5 days spread out over 2 weeks of early mornings and late nights with the kids asleep. All work was performed by my Dad and I with the exception of some help from my brother-in-law Steve with some heavy lifting up and down the stairs into the studio.
I am very pleased with the finished result. It is a very warm and comfortable space that meets many needs and is very flexible. Better pictures to come later but here it is!
Sorry about the huge image but this is the best way to see all the details.
and it isn't breaking the bank. 
