Two jobs that require lighting - help please.

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Steelmagnet

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Steve
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Hi all.

Normally I shoot sports and I never have the need to light anything, however, two jobs have cropped up that require lighting and I see them as a good chance to buy some new kit and learn some new skills.

Firstly I need to take some individual portrait shots of officials at my golf club. I'll be needing a suitable backdrop and a means of lighting my subjects. I understand that the options are continuous lighting, or flashes mounted on stands. My camera is a D700 so suggestions for what to buy would be appreciated.

Secondly, a bit of product photography. I have to photograph a new drinks product for someone and I'd like to do it well. My guess is that the kit used for the portrait job isn't likely to be right for the product shots, but I may be wrong.

I've never done this kind of work before, and the clients understand this. If they're not happy there will be no charge, but in both instances I'll get chance to experiment and to re-shoot if required.

I'd assumed that the above questions would be answered in a FAQ specific to this forum, but they don't appear to be. Apologies though if this has been asked many times before.

Thanks all
Steve
 
Going from zero knowledge and experience to professional quality paid work doesn't usually happen overnight, but first you'll need some kit and get on a fast learning track.

Budget? Think from several hundred quid upwards and better get some good practise and/or training in.
 
Officials at the golf club could be shot next to a window, no need for expensive lights :lol: Natural light is just splendid for portraits

Drinks products - soft boxes or & umbrella's and flash heads would be a good place to start

good luck and above all enjoy it


Les :thumbs:
 
I want to match the previous officials shots, and they're against various mottled backdrops that have been used by other photographers over the years. I know it's not just a question of chucking on a couple of lights and off you go, but I would practice beforehand and the people I'm photographing know what to expect.

I shall investigate some kit right now.

Cheers
 
FAQ's don't really work for questions like these, because every subject, as well as every type of different effect, requires a different approach. Of course, there are lots of threads about 'standard setups' but that really isn't the right approach for people who want to achieve a high standard.

Having said that, you may find some useful info in the tutorials section. And there are a lot of tutorials all over the web, including those in the lighting tutorials section of the Lencarta Lighting blog.

Yes, you can use continuous lighting, but it isn't the obvious choice. Studio flash offers so many more options and makes life so much easier.

Advanced still life photography does tend to involve some fairly specialised tools, but in most situations, there is a very broad equipment overlap for both portrait and still life photography - it's knowledge and care that's important, rather than equipment. As Hoppy pointed out, there's a sharp learning curve involved.
 
Portrait....

One light of your choice (speed light, studio head - anything the goes flash) and a decent sized soft box.

Place 30 degrees to your left or right somewhat above eye level.

Job done.

The further you move it back (away from the subject) the brighter the background will be (oh yes it will).

This isn't too bad as a start....

[YOUTUBE]iQxF80lpIV8[/YOUTUBE]

I'd suggest 30 degrees rather than his 45 to give less dramatic lighting. And given no other constraints I tend to light left to right as a baseline default. No real reason to use a backdrop for head and shoulders - most rooms have walls.

Also between us I bet we confuse you about how to get more light on the b/g. Just try it and see ;)

Products? Dunno. Depends on lots of things.
 
Thanks for the help. I've done a bit of research and will certainly be taking onboard the advice here.

As far as the backdrop goes, all previous photos of the club officials have them (a mottled warmish-grey) and I want to be consistent.
 
Steelmagnet said:
As far as the backdrop goes, all previous photos of the club officials have them (a mottled warmish-grey) and I want to be consistent.
Click to expand...

Ah. Then get a mottled warmish grey b/g and stick it behind them ;) This stuff isn't as hard as you think..... :)
 
JonathanRyan said:
Ah. Then get a mottled warmish grey b/g and stick it behind them ;) This stuff isn't as hard as you think..... :)
Click to expand...

And have the person stand next to a window
 
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