Got myself some lights....

Dave450

Dave450

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....ok so I have brought 3 lights, 2 softboxes, 2 umbrellas, backdrop and backdrop stand. This is straight out of camera.

I have one light with brolly behind the backdrop blowing it out, a softbox on full power to camera left, and another brolly on 1/8 power camera right.

Serious C&C to improve my skills.

Please note that this is my 7 month pregnant wife who was very reluctant to sit and smile :) Im after C&C on the lighting setup:

I know the background needs a little work in the corners to make it completely white.

First ever attempt (In my lounge!):

zzzzzzz.jpg
 
I would go for 2 lights in the background and the other on the subject. The backgroung lights about double the power of light on the subject to blow it out completely.
 
m18nye said:
I would go for 2 lights in the background and the other on the subject. The backgroung lights about double the power of light on the subject to blow it out completely.
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im guessing then a reflector on the other side of the subject?

thank you for your comments
 
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A couple of points...

Firstly, never try to learn how to light a subject when there are two subjects - in this shot, the main subject is your wife and the second subject is the background. The light coming from the background is affecting the lighting on the subject, so you'd be much better without any light on the background until you understand how to light the main subject.

The power settings on your lights (full power, 1/8th power) are irrelevant. What matters is the amount of light reaching the subject, which is a different thing entirely. A meter will tell you how much light is actually reaching the subject.

Having one light each side is a pretty standard way of doing it badly, and is popular with beginners, it doesn't flatter the subject because you end up lighting more of the face than you need to and that makes the face look fatter. And anyway, there's only one sun, so using 2 'suns' always looks unnatural. A much better starting point would be to position your softbox straight in front of the camera (straight in front of the subject, if the subject isn't pointing her face straight towards the camera), and high up. We're used to light being high so it looks natural. It also creates shadows which define the shape of the face, slimming it down, creating an interesting (sexy) shadow under the bottom lip and the nose.

And your second light with umbrella? Stick that on axis to the camera, typically immediately behind the camera, so that acts as a true fill light, reaching all parts of the subject visible to the lens. Don't worry about lighting ratios, just turn it up or down until you get the effect that you personally are happy with.

Or use a reflector instead, again directly in front of the subject, at low level pointing upwards to catch the 'spare' light from the softbox and fill the shadows a bit. Move it closer for more effect or further away for less.
 
Garry Edwards said:
A couple of points...

Firstly, never try to learn how to light a subject when there are two subjects - in this shot, the main subject is your wife and the second subject is the background. The light coming from the background is affecting the lighting on the subject, so you'd be much better without any light on the background until you understand how to light the main subject.

The power settings on your lights (full power, 1/8th power) are irrelevant. What matters is the amount of light reaching the subject, which is a different thing entirely. A meter will tell you how much light is actually reaching the subject.

Having one light each side is a pretty standard way of doing it badly, and is popular with beginners, it doesn't flatter the subject because you end up lighting more of the face than you need to and that makes the face look fatter. And anyway, there's only one sun, so using 2 'suns' always looks unnatural. A much better starting point would be to position your softbox straight in front of the camera (straight in front of the subject, if the subject isn't pointing her face straight towards the camera), and high up. We're used to light being high so it looks natural. It also creates shadows which define the shape of the face, slimming it down, creating an interesting (sexy) shadow under the bottom lip and the nose.

And your second light with umbrella? Stick that on axis to the camera, typically immediately behind the camera, so that acts as a true fill light, reaching all parts of the subject visible to the lens. Don't worry about lighting ratios, just turn it up or down until you get the effect that you personally are happy with.

Or use a reflector instead, again directly in front of the subject, at low level pointing upwards to catch the 'spare' light from the softbox and fill the shadows a bit. Move it closer for more effect or further away for less.
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Quality feedback! Thank you, will take this on board :thumbs:

Is this going to be the same principle for baby photos?? Thats the main reason I got this :)
 
Dave450 said:
Quality feedback! Thank you, will take this on board :thumbs:

Is this going to be the same principle for baby photos?? Thats the main reason I got this :)
Click to expand...

It doesn't really matter with babies/young kids, with perfect features and perfect skin they look great with any lighting.
 
Garry Edwards said:
It doesn't really matter with babies/young kids, with perfect features and perfect skin they look great with any lighting.
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Cracking stuff thank you for your input! When the missus is willing i shall give this another bash!
 
What background did you go for? I've got the Lencarta Smartflash kit but I just can't decide what to do for a background. I like the idea of the collapsible set up but there's also the likes of the Lastolite hilite (albeit for a much higher cost).

I'd be interested to see how you develop, as I'm in the same boat (shooting in the lounge!)
 
D_Ninety said:
What background did you go for? I've got the Lencarta Smartflash kit but I just can't decide what to do for a background. I like the idea of the collapsible set up but there's also the likes of the Lastolite hilite (albeit for a much higher cost).

I'd be interested to see how you develop, as I'm in the same boat (shooting in the lounge!)
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I got a goalpost type stand with a 3m wide by 6m long white muslin sheet. Hangs up similar to curtains, top of sheet has been hooped so the pole goes through it

3x6m sounds ok in text, by god its big in real life!! :)
 
Have done a second attempt with the lighting set up as Garry suggested. Results to follow soon!
 
How does the muslin hang, crease wise... or is it the case that you can just blow the background to eliminate the creases? I've been looking at the goalpost type, mostly for cost and portability (I've been thinking of hiring my local village hall for a shoot) but I read a lot about the strength of the cross bars, etc.

Looking forward to seeing a few more results
 
D_Ninety said:
How does the muslin hang, crease wise... or is it the case that you can just blow the background to eliminate the creases? I've been looking at the goalpost type, mostly for cost and portability (I've been thinking of hiring my local village hall for a shoot) but I read a lot about the strength of the cross bars, etc.

Looking forward to seeing a few more results
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I recently bought a background kit and was strongly advised to go for one with a telescopic crossbar rather than fixed length or screw together. Really glad i did now as it adjusts perfectly to any required length :-)
 
Took the feedback on board, here is what I have come up with in my lounge:

The Missus:
BBBBBB.jpg


And ME:
BBBBBB222.jpg
 
Better, can you see that she's lost weight now?

But the light is too low, the higher it is the more it will define the shape of her face, it will also create shadows that you may not want but they are easily mitigated just by using a fill light or reflector.

And the background is overexposed...
 
Garry Edwards said:
Better, can you see that she's lost weight now?

But the light is too low, the higher it is the more it will define the shape of her face, it will also create shadows that you may not want but they are easily mitigated just by using a fill light or reflector.

And the background is overexposed...
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I blew the background as she was with me when editing it and like it lots! :cuckoo: - its not blown originally.

Noted the comment about light height :thumbs: although the height of the lounge limited me to this height. I'll get her to sit down next time :D

Loving the new kit and loving experimenting with it - so so so so so addictive! :lol:
 
What kit are you using, lens and camera etc, what ISO, apature?

They look a little soft to me, I'm having the exact same issue though. Be good to get a photo of the setup along with the shot it took, from you and from others to see how best to position everything.

Sorry my post is not of any actual help.
 
Im using a Canon 7D with kit lens at the moment :( A higher spec lens is on the shopping list. I have a nifty fifty, but that plus the crop on the 7D makes a lounge setup tough!

Erm set up shot might be do-able, think we are doing another run sunday so will get some shots of the setup then :thumbs:
 
Ok what about ISO and apature? What shooting mode?
 
Dave450 said:
Im using a Canon 7D with kit lens at the moment :( A higher spec lens is on the shopping list. I have a nifty fifty, but that plus the crop on the 7D makes a lounge setup tough!

Erm set up shot might be do-able, think we are doing another run sunday so will get some shots of the setup then :thumbs:
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They just need a sharpen.
 
Dave450 said:
Im using a Canon 7D with kit lens at the moment :( A higher spec lens is on the shopping list. I have a nifty fifty, but that plus the crop on the 7D makes a lounge setup tough!

Erm set up shot might be do-able, think we are doing another run sunday so will get some shots of the setup then :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I would use the 50mm as despite being cheap it is a prime and also very good for portraits.
 
My smartflash kit arrived today, shooting in the lounge with a 50mm isn't good. Might have to see if i can have a play with a 35mm
 
gman said:
I would use the 50mm as despite being cheap it is a prime and also very good for portraits.
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I would use it, but space in flat and crop factor on the 7D really do prevent me from using it.
 
Are you not risking distortion if you go lower than 50mm on a cropped sensor? Unless that's what you are after of course. Space, or lack of, can be a b****r sometimes. :)
 
gman said:
Are you not risking distortion if you go lower than 50mm on a cropped sensor?
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Yes, but its what I have to got to work with :( hiring a village hall for a day is something Im desperate to do. Space! :)
 
Dave450 said:
Yes, but its what I have to got to work with :( hiring a village hall for a day is something Im desperate to do. Space! :)
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I'm hiring one on 9th April for the same reasons, 12 till 6 for 30 quid, sounds good to me. Only got 2 x 500w flash heads though, so limited unless I can get hold of more lighting
 
jovialjester said:
I'm hiring one on 9th April for the same reasons, 12 till 6 for 30 quid, sounds good to me. Only got 2 x 500w flash heads though, so limited unless I can get hold of more lighting
Click to expand...

Great price, id be happy to pay that for the space you get :)
 
VivaVida said:
Good shots! I can not see any lighting problems here :) Personally I prefer warmer lighting and darker scenarios, perhaps start playing with coloured gels and snoots on the backdrop :)
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got gels and snoots, do plan to experiment with them :thumbs:
 
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