Help needed for basic studio lighting set up

[AshD_UK]

Hi All! I am in need of some help. I am helping out a friend of mine tomrrow whose a singer to try and get some nice shots of her in a friends studio for promo and publicity purposes.

I have a basic understanding of photography and I own a Canon 7D but I am not so good with lighting just yet and have never worked in a studio before. Most of the photography I do is on location or using the 7D for filming so I could really use some sound advice from you guys.

The studio I am in comes with a number of coloured backdrops and 5 Elementary Trinity lights (2x) 300w, (2x) 400w and (1x) 600w and I have my Canon 7D with a 17-55mm EFS lens tripod and remote shutter and I was thinking of bringing a hair dryer to get some nice shots with the hair blowign around.

Hopefully you guys can view these, but basically she wants to get the type of shot you expect to see if you google images maria carey, beyonce.. that type of thing..

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDgWS1uUsYc/SxJufYcNVgI/AAAAAAAABJY/vtB2tRttwnU/s1600/1.jpg

http://myplay.com/files/imagecache/photo_345_square/files/artist_images/beyonce.jpg

Im thinking a dark background as she has dark hair would better? and maybe a backlight or light from above to bounce of her hair a bit? Could you guys give me some tips on mainly the lighting set up and any other adivce or things you can think of to help please??

I've never done this before so any advice is good adivce! Not even sure what settings iI should use on my camera as Im usually on sets and locations.

Thanks! x

 

[photo si]

I would suggest asking the friend who owns the studio for advice lol!

Main advice I would give is if you're not experienced with lights then just use two of them. Too many lights will take a lot of adjusting.

Good luck!

 

[Oxford_Matt]

Hi,

For the first setup, It's a Black Background, set at least a couple of meters behind the subject. If it's too close it will be possibly illuminated by your main/Key light.
You want a Main/Key light Preferably a Soft Box as you don't get as much light spill. This will light the face/Front of subject.
Then 2nd light a rim light, or hair light lighting from behind to give separation between the subject and background and make the hair/body outline glow.

Start shooting at around 1/125th F Stop start at around F8. ISO 100. In Manual Mode. Don't go over 1/160th as your camera flash sync speed may be a issue.

You can adjust lights power accordingly until it suits or adjust aperture on the camera to adjust exposure.

Make sure the Hair/Rim light is not flashing directly into your lens.

Shoot in Raw, then you can correct minor errors in exposure far more.

Start with the main Key light, get that looking right, then add the light behind to give the Hair a nice glow.

It's best to use a light meter if they have one. That way it will suggest the settings for your camera without so much trial and error.

Can't really cram it all in here to be honest

Search YouTube for "Studio Black Background" or "Studio Hair Light" etc and you will find plenty of useful Vids.

Good Luck and have fun