More lighting questions (only now I actually have lights!)

[Wellie]

Hello again!

So you are probably all getting very sick of my questions (Sorry!)

I now have a shoot through umbrella, a soft box (square), 2 flash heads (200w), a standard reflector, and a reflector kit. I haven't got round to putting it all together yet though!

Tomorrow I am planning to put it together, and try it out, but I would love for people to help on how to set it up.... I am using my living room for this- so it could make things interesting haha.

So, 5 foot away from the background, I have my lovely friends (who are coming for a shoot on Wednesday because we need some photos and it is a good time to try out my new lights).... now what do I do with my softbox, umbrella and reflectors? How far away from my subjects do I have to place my lights roughly? What angles do I face the lights at? I know it is going to be very much trial and error, and I am not going to get perfect results right away, but I am just trying to get some advice really.

There are a lot of examples on the internet I know, but they all vary so much, and I just end up completely confused!

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Garry Edwards]

A basic understanding of how light works, plus experimentation...

Start off by using just one light, the one with the softbox fitted. Place it straight on and higher than your subject to define the shape of the face. Have it as close as you can get it if you want the light to be soft, move it further away if you want the light to be less soft.

Of place it off to one side, see if you like that effect. You may want to put the reflector on the other side, to fill in the dark shadows that will result - or not, depending on your preference.

You can use your other light for fill if you want to. Place it immediately above or immediately below the camera.