Is this enough space to start with?

AMac

AMac

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Alex
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Hi,

Normally I have always taken landscapes and some snap shots of people.

I was asked to be the back up at a wedding, which turned out ok, they were pleased.

I was a bit so so, as it was a sunny day and there were a few shadows on faces. So I thought well I have got to learn how to uses fill in flash, so I read "Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography" Which has been very helpful.

Well this got me very interested in the whole lighting subject so I am now currently reading "Light Science & Magic" (The first bit is a little hard going!)

Now of course I want to start having a practice and build up to a go at portraits with family to practice on.

Well I have two questions:

1 - I am very tight for space, if I moved things around in the living room, I would have a clear space of about 2.2m x 3.0m. I Could go a little further back say 5m, but I would be shooting over armchairs.
Yes, I know it is very small, but I have to start some where and I have no where else.

Is that enough space to get the most from a set of lights, that will allow me to learn and try different things?

2- I currently only have one 430 Ex, 17-40 and 28-105 lens and I have looked at the starter kits at Lencarta.

But I am not sure I would have enough space to fit it all in. I could get back as far as 5m but I would be shooting over arm stairs.

Would I be better of with a couple more regular flashes rather than studio flashes ?

Look I know this is not ideal, but after reading these books and looking through the People and Portraits forum I do fancy trying to learn a bit more.

After always being outside walking and doing landscapes, I really like the idea of being able to control the light to achieve the effects you want.

Well I hope that all makes sense, and if it is just too small, I will have to kick a couple of the kids out!

Well thank for your thoughts in advance.
Alex
 
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AMac said:
Hi,

Normally I have always taken landscapes and some snap shots of people.

I was asked to be the back up at a wedding, which turned out ok, they were pleased.

I was a bit so so, as it was a sunny day and there were a few shadows on faces. So I thought well I have got to learn how to uses fill in flash, so I read "Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography" Which has been very helpful.

Well this got me very interested in the whole lighting subject so I am now currently reading "Light Science & Magic" (The first bit is a little hard going!)

Now of course I want to start having a practice and build up to a go at portraits with family to practice on.

Well I have two questions:

1 - I am very tight for space, if I moved things around in the living room, I would have a clear space of about 2.2m x 3.0m. I Could go a little further back say 5m, but I would be shooting over armchairs.
Yes, I know it is very small, but I have to start some where and I have no where else.

Is that enough space to get the most from a set of lights, that will allow me to learn and try different things?

2- I currently only have one 430 Ex, 17-40 and 28-105 lens and I have looked at the starter kits at Lencarta.

But I am sure I would have enough space to fit it all in. I could get back as far as 5m but I would be shooting over arm stairs.

Would I be better of with a couple more regular flashes rather than studio flashes ?

Look I know this is not ideal, but after reading these books and looking through the People and Portraits forum I do fancy trying to learn a bit more.

After always being outside walking and doing landscapes, I really like the idea of being able to control the light to achieve the effects you want.

Well I hope that all makes sense, and if it is just too small, I will have to kick a couple of the kids out!

Well thank for your thoughts in advance.
Alex
Click to expand...


What style world you like to shoot... ? Studio / white b/g shots would need the most space " If you where doing full length.."

All my studio style shots are done in a area 2m wide x 5m long.


The mottled black b/g I shoot at the moment would need alot less room...


MD
MD
 
..MD.. said:
What style world you like to shoot... ? Studio / white b/g shots would need the most space " If you where doing full length.."

All my studio style shots are done in a area 2m wide x 5m long.


The mottled black b/g I shoot at the moment would need alot less room...


MD
MD
Click to expand...

Well in the first instance, of course I want to do everything! lol I was going to start with some of the topics in the book to learn, but I would like to end up trying portraits at least waist up.

Mind you looking at your site (Very professional and clear lay out looking)
You have managed very well in that sort of space, what size lens to do you use in that space?

Well that has encouraged me a little see your images and knowing your space.

Do you need more space with the white background because you need to get the lights further back?
 
AMac said:
Well in the first instance, of course I want to do everything! lol I was going to start with some of the topics in the book to learn, but I would like to end up trying portraits at least waist up.

Mind you looking at your site (Very professional and clear lay out looking)
You have managed very well in that sort of space, what size lens to do you use in that space?

Well that has encouraged me a little see your images and knowing your space.

Do you need more space with the white background because you need to get the lights further back?
Click to expand...


I have done white b/g shoots in my front room but its alot of hassle...

You need more room because you need the subject away from the b/g which in turn means the b/g becomes smaller. " I might not be making sense her .. BUT if you had a 7'wide background and the subject was 24" wide you would have space at the sides... Now If you have the subject come forward by about 6' / 7 ' your b/g is now not as wide.."

MD


It can be done but its alot harder...



Oh and a 24-105 lens
 
..MD.. said:
I have done white b/g shoots in my front room but its alot of hassle...

You need more room because you need the subject away from the b/g which in turn means the b/g becomes smaller. " I might not be making sense her .. BUT if you had a 7'wide background and the subject was 24" wide you would have space at the sides... Now If you have the subject come forward by about 6' / 7 ' your b/g is now not as wide.."

MD


It can be done but its alot harder...



Oh and a 24-105 lens
Click to expand...

Well it looks like it could be, do able then. With a darker B/G does that mean you can have the subject closer to the back ground?

Do you manage in that space with studio lights, or would I be better off with an extra couple of regular flashes?

Sorry I know it is a lot of questions, I just don't want to spend a fair bit of money that not be able to use it to it's full capacity. But I am keen to give it all ago.

Thanks again for your advice.
 
AMac said:
Well it looks like it could be, do able then. With a darker B/G does that mean you can have the subject closer to the back ground?

Do you manage in that space with studio lights, or would I be better off with an extra couple of regular flashes?

Sorry I know it is a lot of questions, I just don't want to spend a fair bit of money that not be able to use it to it's full capacity. But I am keen to give it all ago.

Thanks again for your advice.
Click to expand...

Ask away matey. I am willing to help if poss..


I use cheapo lights which I have attached to the ceiling in my garage...


Yes the darker / mottled b/g you can get you can get the subject closer to.

If I was doing shoots at peoples homes I would use this. If you have a flash or two this would be enough to get a decent result from one lighting the subject one creating a rim light..

example

Charlie_dark_1.jpg


Dark b/g two lights. you could get the same from flashes but would need a brolly or softbox imho


Regards

MD
 
Short answer - you can produce top quality work in a very small space if
a. You know what you're doing
b. You understand the limitations of your space.

In other words, a small space doesn't affect the quality of your work, it only affects the type of work that you can do well. I know a guy who lives in a really tiny flat in Hong Kong, he turns out outstanding still life advertising shots - mind you, he has a pHd in physics...

If you avoid large sets and overexposed white backgrounds you'll be fine
 
Garry Edwards said:
Short answer - you can produce top quality work in a very small space if
a. You know what you're doing
b. You understand the limitations of your space.

In other words, a small space doesn't affect the quality of your work, it only affects the type of work that you can do well. I know a guy who lives in a really tiny flat in Hong Kong, he turns out outstanding still life advertising shots - mind you, he has a pHd in physics...

If you avoid large sets and overexposed white backgrounds you'll be fine
Click to expand...



Thats what I was trying to say..


MD
 
Garry Edwards said:
Short answer - you can produce top quality work in a very small space if
a. You know what you're doing
b. You understand the limitations of your space.

In other words, a small space doesn't affect the quality of your work, it only affects the type of work that you can do well. I know a guy who lives in a really tiny flat in Hong Kong, he turns out outstanding still life advertising shots - mind you, he has a pHd in physics...

If you avoid large sets and overexposed white backgrounds you'll be fine
Click to expand...

Hi Gary,
Well at the moment I know very little lol, but I hope to start and change that!

I will probably start with some still life to try and learn, but it is the people stuff I am really interested in and gagging to get on with.

In general, how far away or what is the sort of minim distance, from the person would the flash units have to be?

I am just trying to plan the space I would need.

Over a glass of wine tonight, I am going to start warming my wife up to me using the living room lol.

Is there anything else that I should give thought to if I am tight on space. I have a conservatory on the back of the living room, but would all that natural light, make it easier or harder?

Thanks again for any advice, I have read a few posts her now and all ways found it very useful.
Cheers Alex.
 
At work I've got an 11m x 5.5m space and that's brilliant for full length stuff, being able to move around, have some seating in.
At home I'm trying to get planning permission for a studio that'll be approx 5.5m square. I'm hoping that'll be big enough. I find it's more the space of the person from the backdrop
 
AMac said:
Hi Gary,
Well at the moment I know very little lol, but I hope to start and change that!

I will probably start with some still life to try and learn, but it is the people stuff I am really interested in and gagging to get on with.

In general, how far away or what is the sort of minim distance, from the person would the flash units have to be?

I am just trying to plan the space I would need.

Over a glass of wine tonight, I am going to start warming my wife up to me using the living room lol.

Is there anything else that I should give thought to if I am tight on space. I have a conservatory on the back of the living room, but would all that natural light, make it easier or harder?
Thanks again for any advice, I have read a few posts her now and all ways found it very useful.
Cheers Alex.
Click to expand...

Still life is definately the best learning medium - and the most difficult to get right

The distance from flash head to subject will depend on a lot of things and so there is no answer to that. Basically if you want the light to be soft then you use a tool like a softbox, and the closer it is to the subject, the softer the light will be. Obviously if the softbox is small and you want to light a full length subject it can't be too close, otherwise the light won't cover all of the subject.

If you want the light to be harder then use a smaller tool and move it further away.

Natural light can be combined with flash, but it makes life more difficult
 
I work in my living room. It's really not big. It's so much easier if you have more space.

Here's a shot of my living room in action -

There is zero room behind me in this shot - so it's cramped but can knock oit some good images :)

studio-1.jpg
 
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Dav, you need to spread the stand legs better than that...
 
Thanks for your advice Dav, it does give me a little more confidence. It is a little hard to tell from the photo, how much space do you have?

I think I will have one more careful measure how much space I could get once I have moved some furniture about, then make a call if I have enough space. I will then be pestering everyone about gear then lol

Again thanks for your time, oh and by the way it was some of your stuff when I saw it, that started to get me more interested in it, well done.
 
AMac said:
Thanks for your advice Dav, it does give me a little more confidence. It is a little hard to tell from the photo, how much space do you have?

I think I will have one more careful measure how much space I could get once I have moved some furniture about, then make a call if I have enough space. I will then be pestering everyone about gear then lol

Again thanks for your time, oh and by the way it was some of your stuff when I saw it, that started to get me more interested in it, well done.
Click to expand...

No worries Alex - and thanks for the compliment. :)

The room is 3m wide (just measured it) by about 5m. I still have a sofa at one end - which I need to get rid off.

Shooting in the living room is a bit of a pain, and I'm contemplating moving to a property better suited to photography. Modern houses have too many rooms and not enough space.
 
Hi Dav,
Thanks for doing that, it sounds very similar to what I have, together with the sofa at one end!

Well if you can make it work, I should be able to. It should at least let me practice and learn. I read on one of the other posts, one guy used his church hall which sounds like a good idea, once I know a bit more.

Well I had better start looking at what sort of starter kit would best suit me, oh and make sure the good lady wife agrees to losing her living room a few evenings a week!

Thanks again for the measurement, that made my mind up.
Cheers Alex
 
FlyTVR said:
I work in my living room. It's really not big. It's so much easier if you have more space.

Here's a shot of my living room in action -

There is zero room behind me in this shot - so it's cramped but can knock oit some good images :)

studio-1.jpg
Click to expand...

Hi,
can I ask what you used on the floor?? thanks
 
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