These pictures are so awesome. I just got my one-light set up from AB w/ Vagabond 150 this past Monday and have happily playing since then. The one thing I notice is the harsh shadows, how do you guys compensate for that? Right now, I've noticed that the light positioning the light behind me and pointed down seems to work ok, but I've heard that it should be positioned at 10 and 2 to get the catch lights. What do you guys do?
Stacey Lewis wrote:
These pictures are so awesome. I just got my one-light set up from AB w/ Vagabond 150 this past Monday and have happily playing since then. The one thing I notice is the harsh shadows, how do you guys compensate for that? Right now, I've noticed that the light positioning the light behind me and pointed down seems to work ok, but I've heard that it should be positioned at 10 and 2 to get the catch lights. What do you guys do?
Thanks,
Stacey
Stacey, do you have any kind of modifier on the light (softbox, beauty dish, etc)? Or are you just shooting it with the tin reflector that comes with it? If you are doing the latter, you will def be getting harsh shadows. The light needs to be diffused through a modifier to produce the soft light you are after. Hope that helps!
Stacey Lewis wrote:
No, I'm using the umbrella that came with the setup. The silver/white reversible one, and I'm using the silver side to bounce light.
Well the best thing to do with an umbrella setup is just adjust it and mess around until you get something that looks right. I know that they don't produce the softest light in the world, but you shouldn't be getting too hard of shadows. Distance of the light is also a factor, trying moving it in closer.
I would highly suggest getting a softbox if you want softer light.
Stacey Lewis wrote:
No, I'm using the umbrella that came with the setup. The silver/white reversible one, and I'm using the silver side to bounce light.
Well the best thing to do with an umbrella setup is just adjust it and mess around until you get something that looks right. I know that they don't produce the softest light in the world, but you shouldn't be getting too hard of shadows. Distance of the light is also a factor, trying moving it in closer.
I would highly suggest getting a softbox if you want softer light.
A softbox could end up giving you the same shadows, but only slightly softer, as the umbrella. It's so many other things to consider even when you diffuse the light source. IE position, size relative to subject, angle, etc. Your very best bet is to pickup a book from your local library. One that I strongly suggest is "Light Science & Magic" authored by Hunter, Biver, and Fugua.
Since this thread is still going, and it is obviously drawing alot of people who know about one light setups...
I have a 550EX flash, my father has a 420EX flash. We are thinking of splitting a set of ubrella/stands sold from B&H. My question is, for these flashes, which would be better, 32" white umbrellas, or 45" white? Here are links to the two sets we are trying to decide on:
I think #3 is fantastica!