My latest hilite shots

True, but if you can have a portable set up in a large, dark space like that hall you were in, you're in a pretty good environment. Certainly better than people's lounges with magnolia coloured wall! :D

I have a cunning plan for this. For a start the lastolite leaks much less light out of the sides. I reckon if I put black fabric "walls" and a "ceiling" up to make a tunnel around the hilite for the first 5 feet or so I will get a big help.

My theory is that it will stop a lot of the light making a direct path from hilite->wall/ceiling->subject I have still to try it, but I reckon it would probably be worth the hassle.
 
I have a cunning plan for this. For a start the lastolite leaks much less light out of the sides. I reckon if I put black fabric "walls" and a "ceiling" up to make a tunnel around the hilite for the first 5 feet or so I will get a big help.

My theory is that it will stop a lot of the light making a direct path from hilite->wall/ceiling->subject I have still to try it, but I reckon it would probably be worth the hassle.

Isn`t that what Edinburgh Garry has done in his studio?
 
Pretty well, but mine would be portable - I stress I have yet to try it !
 
I have a cunning plan for this. For a start the lastolite leaks much less light out of the sides. I reckon if I put black fabric "walls" and a "ceiling" up to make a tunnel around the hilite for the first 5 feet or so I will get a big help.
My theory is that it will stop a lot of the light making a direct path from hilite->wall/ceiling->subject I have still to try it, but I reckon it would probably be worth the hassle.
Yes, that will work.
And the more distance between subject and background the better - these shots have much less edge detail damage than before, but more distance (and a little less light on the background) will help more.
And if you arrange your 'tunnel' to minimise the effective size of the hi-lite that will reduce wrap too.

You're getting there:)
 
Hey Garry, have you got any comments to make on my last images, you've made some helpful, honest comments before now so anything you can comment on would be helpful.

I'm off to bed....night all.
 
I have a cunning plan for this. For a start the lastolite leaks much less light out of the sides. I reckon if I put black fabric "walls" and a "ceiling" up to make a tunnel around the hilite for the first 5 feet or so I will get a big help.

My theory is that it will stop a lot of the light making a direct path from hilite->wall/ceiling->subject I have still to try it, but I reckon it would probably be worth the hassle.

Worth a go. If you have a couple of background stands should be simple enough.
What size Hilite do you have?
 
Hi Hodders,

The black tunnel will make an absolutely huge difference if you are currently getting a lot of bounce. Try and aim for a black silhouette on a blown backdrop, no hotspots....

When you do, job done! :D

G.
 
Worth a go. If you have a couple of background stands should be simple enough.
What size Hilite do you have?

8x7 - still not big enough when the kiddies start moving around. I've got a biggish softbox for the key light and so I can up the power and move that back a bit to give a less dramatic 1/x^2 fall off of the light in the shooting 'area'.

Hi Hodders,

The black tunnel will make an absolutely huge difference if you are currently getting a lot of bounce. Try and aim for a black silhouette on a blown backdrop, no hotspots....

When you do, job done! :D

G.

I've got a background support which can act as the front support for the tunnel and the hilite has velcro straps that can act as the rear support. It is going to need about at lease 3x3m clear space to be set up though.

It is all good fun though. The session featuring the kids above (two brothers) was the first with people I only know a little bit (friends of friends) so it was a bit nerve racking. But I reckon I have got a good set of images and there is a good chance of making some money out of it....
 
Has anyone got any comments on the images below from a technical stand point ?

OK - here we go.....

These are from this afternoon's session. They did require a little more PP but not much more than a bit of exposure, blacks and adjustment brush. Compared to the first post in this thread, I am a lot happier. Impressions, critique all gratefully received. Please note that I would spend more time on these if I was actually going to print them as there is still a bit of trimming/cropping to be done.

nic-2904.jpg


nic-2926.jpg


nic-2950.jpg


nic-2967.jpg
 
Wouldn`t you be better with two background stands (if you have them), one on either side, you could then just drape the cloth over them (left to right) and clamp it to the top poles.
 
I like them mate, my only comment from a negative point of view, is a personal negative. They are nicely lit mid exposures, where as you probably know - I like to cook my subjects :D

No real crit then, they are lovely shots and they would sell very well here.

G.
 
Hi there,

Once more they are great.

for me they need a little touch of pop to push the colours out a bit.
How are you dealing with the joins, of the acrylic sheets?
what distance is the lying down ones feet from the background, whenever i do this one the feet get completely blown/washed out

nik
 
they are great images there mate. I think they look a little cold temp wise imho, maybe increase the temp a touch and maybe a contrast and vibrance increase but only tiny amounts just enough to give them some zing..lol
 
Hi Ben,

I am just about to take the plunge and buy some of these acrylic sheets, before i do can you advise me whether they require much post production ie in fixing the join. If there is i am going to have to bite the bullet and buy the vinyl i showed you earlier in this thread but its big bucks with the carraige. $150 just for carraige

Nik
 
If you look carefully on the beanbag shot you can see the join. That is as bad as it gets. I put Masking tape on the underneath and that holds them pretty close together.

$150 seems excessive for postage. My advice - for what it is worth - get some white vinyl from Tony Beal and some acrylic from Wickes/B&Q it will cost less than the postage alone
 
Nik, as you mention big bucks and use the dollar sign, are you in the US? If so, surely you can find a more local supplier?
 
HI guys,
the vinyl flooring that i mention is different from the stuff in the UK its new (there is a link earlier in the post check it out) it guarantees whiteness where as the uk stuff like lastolite and the other doesn't go white unless you blast it which then whitenes the subject. I am in Swansea. There is no UK supplier who can do it any cheaper than the US.
Cannot even notice anything under the beanbag ben so that absolutely solved the problem.

thanks Guys

Nik
 
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