Newbie with a 2 light Bowens setup

[norahbattie]

Hi everyone,
I completely new to the whole studio flash set up, unfortunately I could not really afford 3 lights so I went for a 2 light setup which has just been delivered.
I worked with a 3 light setup once before as I did a photography workshop but am very confused on what settings to use to get high key images and where to place lights etc since I only have 2 of them to play with.
Do you think its worth saving up and getting a 3rd light?

I am a complete newbie so if someone can hold my hand through the settings I would be extremely grateful...I have been looking at alot of the posts here and will keep on my search.

Many thanks
NB

 

[markw08]

For full hi key images you probably will want 3 lights, 2 on the background and 1 on the subject...

But you can still take adequate portraits with 2 lights, 1 on background and 1 on subject..

Didnt they show you on your workshop how to set them up ???

 

[norahbattie]

Thank you for the info..unfortunately at the course they didn't actually tell you the settings of the light setup just where to place them etc.

Can I use my flash gun as a 3rd light? Would use it as a background light or on the subject?

 

[SealBeard]

I'm confused...

There are no "specific setting" - It all depends on what look your trying to achieve. Depending on the placement of the flash heads, the settings will have to be changed to compensate.

You can use a flashgun as a third light.

For high key stuff, by which I presume you mean white background stuff, you need to expose for your subject, and over expose the background enough so that it "blows out"

If your doing head/shoulders shots - you can get away with one light on your BG, if doing half/full body you will need 2 dedicated lights on your BG.

 

[HoppyUK]

You're talking about a pure white background? If it's just for a head and shoulders (ie small area of background) you can get away with one light on the background - just - but it's not easy. It's not easy with two lights either, lots of critical factors and careful balance to consider.

You can work in a flash gun as a third light, but you need to know what you're doing and work around the limitations.

Quite a few recent threads on here about lighting a white background.

 

[norahbattie]

Thanks very much for your replies, I am actually going to a lighting workshop next Monday so hopefully will learn a thing or two there. Problem is I tend to have the memory of a goldfish.
They are using two lights too so it is ideal for what I need
Thanks everyone

 

[TG.]

Quite a few recent threads on here about lighting a white background.

Take a look at the one i started HERE, as has already been said it is possible, but does take some working at, in my case i had to do a lot of photo-shopping, but i got very near to what i was trying to achieve, i've just ordered some more lights so they will hopefully alleviate to much PP in the future

 

[AliB]

Take a notebook and write it down

There are also plenty of really good books out there so hit Amazon and get one, cheapest instruction you will ever get as you can use it as a reference and refresher.

Also youtube has plenty of tutorials on there.