A Light Shaping Question...

[68lbs]

Right, am having a play with my speedlite off camera and am trying to set up a portrait. I have a few ideas, but they all centre around a theme of just lighting the face of the model. For example, putting the speedlight in a cardboard box, and have the model 'opening the box', the light comes from the box illuminating their face. Does that make sense?

Ok... so I can set it up semi successfully with the flash on 1/32 power at f/11.

But... the light is a little harsh, so I'd like to soften it. And at the same time, I am also getting some illumination on the background which I'd like to cut down.

I am guessing I could cut down the spill by making a simple card snoot, and just adjust the length until I get the right amount of coverage. Is that right?

But how would I go about softening the affect too?

 

[HoppyUK]

Right, am having a play with my speedlite off camera and am trying to set up a portrait. I have a few ideas, but they all centre around a theme of just lighting the face of the model. For example, putting the speedlight in a cardboard box, and have the model 'opening the box', the light comes from the box illuminating their face. Does that make sense?

Ok... so I can set it up semi successfully with the flash on 1/32 power at f/11.

But... the light is a little harsh, so I'd like to soften it. And at the same time, I am also getting some illumination on the background which I'd like to cut down.

I am guessing I could cut down the spill by making a simple card snoot, and just adjust the length until I get the right amount of coverage. Is that right?

But how would I go about softening the affect too?

Soften the light by covering the top of the box with white paper, and shoot through it. To soften it even more, put a second layer in the box with a gap between the two, or fit a Stofen type diffuser on the flash. If the white paper cuts down the light too much, use greaseproof paper or tracing paper. You should also do a custom white balance, but it shouldn't be far out.

Cut out the spill with card, and/or move the subject away from the background.

 

[68lbs]

I'll give that a whirl tonite... thanks Hippy