A few lighting questions

[cowasaki]

I understand how to get the correct exposure using a light meter with off camera flash. If you have a ring flash do you have to meter each shot you take just like you would with an external light setup or is there something that I am missing.

 

[Garry Edwards]

No, you're right - or at least you need to re-meter whenever you change the camera to subject distance, as the flash is moving with the camera.

That's why it makes sense to use a wideangle zoom, which (most of the time) will allow you to maintain the same camera to subject distance.

 

[cowasaki]

What sized beauty dish should I get? Is there any advantage to larger dishes?

How can I recreate the fresnel light effect without one?

 

[The23rdman]

I think the closest you'll get is with a small reflective brolly.

 

[Rough Edges]

when I had the chance to use a Lancarta Safari system it was fitted with a 70CM beauty dish with Honeycombe. Was my first experience with this kind of setup and am rather impressed with the kit. It was a bit of revelation using honeycombes..

These are with the Lencarta and beauty dish..

On a roof of a derelict hospital.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sounds-and-images/4510029691/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sounds-and-images/4510029455/in/photostream/

Straight from the camera. single head.
I have seen many say get the silver over a white one..

 

[Garry Edwards]

What sized beauty dish should I get? Is there any advantage to larger dishes?

How can I recreate the fresnel light effect without one?

The large beauty dish is less than twice the size of the smaller one but seems MUCH bigger and is much heavier, which can be a disadvantage. But I feel that it's much more versatile, because it allows you to create any given effet at a much greater distance than the smaller one, and also allows softer light if that's what you want to create.

In a studio the size of mine, it's a no brainer but in your garage studio it might be easier for you to get the smaller one - not an easy decision.

There isn't anything that creates an effect anything close to the fresnel spot, but I suppose you could simulate it in PS.

TBH the fresnel is a bit of a specialised tool, the average model simply doesn't have the bone structure and complexion needed for stunning results from it.

 

[cowasaki]

TBH the fresnel is a bit of a specialised tool, the average model simply doesn't have the bone structure and complexion needed for stunning results from it.

It's a real shame, I love the shots we got with the fresnel but at the cost it is just too much for something I will rarely get to use.