lighting and photographing a small hair salon

[Deleted member 11105]

Hi i am writing a website for a hairsalon and i am going to get some lighting equipment so that i can do the photography for the sites i write also. i guess the hair salon is probably only slightly larger than 400 sqft and is a square room split down the middle by two tall double sided mirror island units with a seat on each side. i am considering getting Elinchrom style RX 600w package of two heads. will this be enough to light the sallon and how should i light it?

 

[Chappers]

I suspect there isn't much room to get the lighting in without it appearing in the mirrors. Lighting really depends on what you are going to photograph. If its the overall salon you could try simply bouncing te light off the ceiling, provided it's not to high ( or too low) and is fairly white in colour.

Photographing specific areas a simple 2 light set up with one light as the main light source and the other as a fill in about 1 1/2 stops less intense. If you can get soft boxes that may help with these shots.

 

[subseasniper]

I'm sure there was a similar thread here a couple of months ago that covered the same topic. Maybe a search could help you out.

 

[Chappers]

I would be very careful about shooting through the window. There are 2 reasons why this may not be a good idea.

Firstly you wouldn't get even illumination in the Salon. The area near the lamps would receive more light than that further away

Secondly, and probably most important, is the difficulty you would have with passer by. You don't want people falling over the lighting gear. Yes I know it big and bl**dy obvious but you can't rely on the public taking notice. Also you could open yourself for an obstruction charge by the local police.