Sergey?s studio; Mach 2

[TObject]

After playing with two umbrellas for a while, I realized that it was absolutely paramount for me to light the background separately from the subject. As such I got some more lights, and some various modifiers, while at it: a soft box, a snot, some reflectors, flags, stands, and booms.

Playing with all this stuff I quickly realized that evenly lit pictures look flat and uninteresting. In the real world we always encounter imperfect light, and the human eye likes the flaws. So the challenge of studio lighting becomes how to put imperfections in the picture, but only those imperfections that look pleasing.

Here is one setup I tried:



A soft box provides the main light; reflectors are used for fill; there is a rim light on the back, and a kicker umbrella on the side. A black gobo between the kicker and the camera reduces flare.

And here is the result:



The intention for this picture is a low key portrait. The lens is 85 mm at f/5.6 on a full frame camera, the image is slightly cropped.

[Wind_Danzer]

Not bad!

[TObject]

Thank you.

And here are my latest efforts in product photography:



Here is a link to a full-resolution image of this picture (big):
http://www.pronografics.com/pictures...4/DSC_0981.jpg

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by TObject

After playing with two umbrellas for a while, I realized that it was absolutely paramount for me to light the background separately from the subject. As such I got some more lights, and some various modifiers, while at it: a soft box, a snot, some reflectors, flags, stands, and booms.

Playing with all this stuff I quickly realized that evenly lit pictures look flat and uninteresting. In the real world we always encounter imperfect light, and the human eye likes the flaws. So the challenge of studio lighting becomes how to put imperfections in the picture, but only those imperfections that look pleasing.

Here is one setup I tried:



A soft box provides the main light; reflectors are used for fill; there is a rim light on the back, and a kicker umbrella on the side. A black gobo between the kicker and the camera reduces flare.

And here is the result:



The intention for this picture is a low key portrait. The lens is 85 mm at f/5.6 on a full frame camera, the image is slightly cropped.

Much better. More than good enough for Van's stuff. I like that portait much better as well.

[TObject]

Another table-top exercise:



And the big version:
http://www.pronografics.com/pictures...4/DSC_1008.jpg

Edit: Oops. Notice the very slight darkening in the very top right corner of the picture. That’s what happens when you forget to reposition one of the reflector cards after adjusting something on the table: little things matter.

[VancoPBS]

Simply amazing.

I like the shadows on 3 more then I do on 5. Are they different?

[TObject]

Thank you.

Same idea but slightly different; I think I brought the key light more forward and closer to the subject. Little changes in light can make dramatic changes. Basically there is no one 'works for everything' setup; every subject brings its own set of challenges. Also, things with a lot of direct reflections (like shiny metal) require special attention.

[TObject]

Here is a question for everybody.

Safety precautions require weighting the bottoms of light stands to reduce likelihood of accidental tipping.

Once I had a light box swaying at the end of a long counterweighted boom, I realized that this is actually a good recommendation. So, I am looking to get some weights for my studio. Generally, sand bags, water bags, and shot bags are used. I think I want shot bags (bags filled with buckshot).

At a popular store the current prices for shot bags are as follow:

5 lb bag - $28.50
10 lb bag - $37.50
15 lb bag - $44.50

Here is one of those bags: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ot_Bag_15.html

Things sold in photographic stores tend to be more expensive than same or similar things sold for general use. Do you know if there is a cheaper product available? Maybe something sold at a sporting goods store or at Harbor Freight. Let me know if you have any ideas about this.

[Matt Pascoe]

Sergey,

Scuba divers use shot bags for their weight belts. It's been awhile, but I paid a fraction of the price per lb that your showing (just gave away the last of my weight shot bags too...).

The scuba bags are small, ~4"x4", 1 to 5 lb iirc.

How about shotgun shot in zip locks?