Lights, camera, action!

[Garzan]

I didn't see this in any existing topic, and I didn't want to hijack the photographing TG thread. I would like to bring up lighting. Photography is all about painting pictures with light; either ambient lighting, or lighting you create yourself.

 

I just finished watching a DVD I picked up from Honl Photo. (btw, I don't work for David Honl, I'm just a consumer who likes his stuff). The DVD is "David Honl Light" and it's primarily about how to mimic studio quality lighting with speedlights. It also goes into several kinds of modifiers for speedlights, and how the different modifiers effect the end photo.

 

The "ah ha" for me, is that he fits what's basically a studio lighting kit in a carry-on size bag. Perfect for hotel room photograph, eh?

 

One of the other cool things I really liked about this DVD is that he goes through and sets up the photo shoot on camera, then does the photo shoot on camera, and then shifts to him at a desk with a notepad and a Sharpie, and he diagrams out the lighting, explaining what he put where, and why he put it there.

 

Bottom line, I think I'm going to learn quite a bit from this that will improve my lighting, and the end result of that will be better TG photos when I finally get over there to take some, instead of sitting over here drooling over them.

 

So how do you all handle your lighting when your back in the room? What have you tried that worked, and what didn't work?

[bigjimslay]

You should put some tips and diagrams from your DVD in the photographing TG tips and tricks thread...

 

Thanks

[Catfish21]

I didn't see this in any existing topic, and I didn't want to hijack the photographing TG thread. I would like to bring up lighting. Photography is all about painting pictures with light; either ambient lighting, or lighting you create yourself.

 

I just finished watching a DVD I picked up from Honl Photo. (btw, I don't work for David Honl, I'm just a consumer who likes his stuff). The DVD is "David Honl Light" and it's primarily about how to mimic studio quality lighting with speedlights. It also goes into several kinds of modifiers for speedlights, and how the different modifiers effect the end photo.

 

The "ah ha" for me, is that he fits what's basically a studio lighting kit in a carry-on size bag. Perfect for hotel room photograph, eh?

 

One of the other cool things I really liked about this DVD is that he goes through and sets up the photo shoot on camera, then does the photo shoot on camera, and then shifts to him at a desk with a notepad and a Sharpie, and he diagrams out the lighting, explaining what he put where, and why he put it there.

 

Bottom line, I think I'm going to learn quite a bit from this that will improve my lighting, and the end result of that will be better TG photos when I finally get over there to take some, instead of sitting over here drooling over them.

 

So how do you all handle your lighting when your back in the room? What have you tried that worked, and what didn't work?

Interesting I can't wait to see your pics. I am interested in using better lighting in my pics as well. Where did you get the DVD?

[Noud]

I didn't see this in any existing topic, and I didn't want to hijack the photographing TG thread. I would like to bring up lighting. Photography is all about painting pictures with light; either ambient lighting, or lighting you create yourself.

 

I just finished watching a DVD I picked up from Honl Photo. (btw, I don't work for David Honl, I'm just a consumer who likes his stuff). The DVD is "David Honl Light" and it's primarily about how to mimic studio quality lighting with speedlights. It also goes into several kinds of modifiers for speedlights, and how the different modifiers effect the end photo.

 

The "ah ha" for me, is that he fits what's basically a studio lighting kit in a carry-on size bag. Perfect for hotel room photograph, eh?

 

One of the other cool things I really liked about this DVD is that he goes through and sets up the photo shoot on camera, then does the photo shoot on camera, and then shifts to him at a desk with a notepad and a Sharpie, and he diagrams out the lighting, explaining what he put where, and why he put it there.

 

Bottom line, I think I'm going to learn quite a bit from this that will improve my lighting, and the end result of that will be better TG photos when I finally get over there to take some, instead of sitting over here drooling over them.

 

So how do you all handle your lighting when your back in the room? What have you tried that worked, and what didn't work?

 

Aha! =) Now this is a fun subject.

 

This last trip when I had all the intentions take take some nice pictures, and I brought with my my Nikon D80 some lenses and a Sb800 flash. I have not seen the video you are talking about, but I relied on some personal experience of Studio photography and what I could read on the net, mostly at http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/. But also a few other none English sites.

 

If weight had not been an issue an extra flash or two would have been nice, but since it is, one had to be enough. Apart from the onboard one that is.

 

I don't have many photos to show but I'll add one and tell you what I did.

I have covered up the face, but I that doesn't make much difference in this case.

 

What I have done in ways of edition is that I've corrected the levels, reduced the size and sharpened it a little bit. When it comes to correcting levels that can dramaticly improve a picture, so if you don't know how to do that, it would be wise to learn the basics of it.

 

But enough about that, Lights! =)

As I am using a Nikon D80 with an SB800 I get some advantages compared to a flash not intended for the camera. As it is now I just have to set it to fire remotely and let my camera decided the settings. It will sense how much light is needed and communicate that to the remote flash. Had it been any other flash I would have had to go about things manually. That takes a bit more knowledge but the rewards can be worth it. As I can't tell what you are using I'll go the manual way.

 

For this photo I set my cam to f/4 1/60 at iso 200.

This should capture some of the ambient light in the room but not nearly enough to get a viewable picture. That means that the lights in the room will not be able to light up the subject or the room. I need to do that with the remote flash and the camera flash. with only one remote flash I have to use it to light the room, the way I do that is to aim it straight up in the roof, that way the light reflects down and light the room pretty evenly. The model will also be hit by this light but it would no be enough and she would most likely not look good as there would be risks of shadows in here face around eyes and nose. And that is were the camera flash comes in. I use that to fill those shadows with light.

 

So a quick recap.

f4 1/60 iso 200

remote flash triggered by camera flash, aimed in the roof. Adjust it for how much light you want in the room.

Auto mode for camera flash and spot meter on the model were I want to make sure the light is correct, eyes is a good place, and normally were I want to have focus too.

Shoot =)

 

If things are well setup you can move around pretty well in the room, and lighting should remain good. Just make sure not to block the remote flash.

Edited April 25, 2010 by Noud

[Garzan]

Interesting I can't wait to see your pics. I am interested in using better lighting in my pics as well. Where did you get the DVD?

 

I can't wait to see them either. Hopefully this fall I'll be able to share instead of just talk. The DVD I really like (so far) is this one http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/the-28/David-Honl-LIGHT-DVD/Detail I think I got it from Amazon.com

 

In the near term, I bought a hair stylist model head, and I'm practicing with that. Not anywhere as cute as a Thai girl, but she never gets impatient while I'm experimenting with ambient light, aperture, and the rest.

[Noud]

I can't wait to see them either. Hopefully this fall I'll be able to share instead of just talk. The DVD I really like (so far) is this one http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/the-28/David-Honl-LIGHT-DVD/Detail I think I got it from Amazon.com

 

In the near term, I bought a hair stylist model head, and I'm practicing with that. Not anywhere as cute as a Thai girl, but she never gets impatient while I'm experimenting with ambient light, aperture, and the rest.

 

That is good thing, testing is a good way to learn. Just curious, are you planing on using more than one remote flash and are you doing it manually? If you are, there are some very good flashes to be found on ebay that can be used with simple slave triggers. I've opted not to do that on vacation due to luggage weight, but it is a good option that would not cost to much if lost or damaged in travel or while in Thailand.

[jojo90]

I'm going to be packing a portable strobist kit on my next trip .

[chaang]

Small canon / nikon flashes and portable diffusers and light stands( Check out westcott collapsible umbrellas/manfrotto nano stand ) make sense.

 

They are much easier to transport - plus you really dont need that much power if you are taking photos in a small room. Also the the small flashes are quite versatile and you can use lower F stops for shallower depth of field and more creativity.

 

cant find the other thread mentioned above. Can someone send me a link please.

 

I asked under a seperate thread about camera insurance in Thailand. Anyone have any ideas as i willbe staying for a year - possibly more.

[cuteincords1]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Remote-Radio-Wireless-Flash-Trigger-2-Receiver-FLASHGUN_W0QQitemZ140404592775QQcategoryZ64354QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D20%26pmod%3D170445995457%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4962989040905185744