Some doubt about studio lighting photography

[rysouke]

I know that there are two kinds of setup, one is using flash units and the other is using continuous lighting...

As i know that continuous lighting is running on AC and once the switch is on, the light is always there...

so when using flash units, its it mean only when i press the shutter release of the camera then all the flash units will light up??

 

[Rashkae]

Well yes, that's usually how flashes work. Hence the name "flash".

Most strobe units will still emit a "standby light" as well though.

 

[J-Chan]

Yup or you can press the test/pilot button to get them to light up.. They just like your camera's flashes, except much more powerful, freedom to move it around, accepts a huge array of light modifiers, and you've got to meter and set the lights yourself..

Like what Rashkae mentioned, most do have a modelling light to enable you to see how the light falls on your subject. Though alternatively you can snap a few test frames to see how it looks, but modelling lights are much faster..

 

[rysouke]

oh i see..ya i am aware that most flash units setup come with modellng light...as i am planning to setup a simple studio lighting for shooting some dolls which is about 70cm tall..and i am thinking is it alright to use continuous lighting since it dont have any motion so i dont need flash units to freeze the motion..

and for EX580II flash, may i know what is the power of this flash?

 

[Rashkae]

and for EX580II flash, may i know what is the power of this flash?

It's on the Canon website... And in the spec sheet that was included with the flash when you bought it.

 

[rysouke]

It's on the Canon website... And in the spec sheet that was included with the flash when you bought it.

i am trying to find it but i dont manage to get it...

 

[Rashkae]

i am trying to find it but i dont manage to get it...

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/c...TechSpecsTabAct&fcategoryid=141&modelid=14998

Guide number is 190 (190ft, 58meters)

 

[J-Chan]

The 580EXII has a guide number of 58, meaning at max power it can light up a subject at a distance of 58m/190ft (at its 105mm zoom setting and ISO 100 according to Canon) at an aperture of f/1.0..

GN = Distance x Aperture (f-number)

Should be more than enough for your intended purpose.. Just note that if you're using light modifiers or bouncing the flash you'll lose some light due to the efficiency of the modifers..

Readup on inverse square law as well if you want to know how a flash's output is related to the subject distance..

 

[allenleonhart]

oh i see..ya i am aware that most flash units setup come with modellng light...as i am planning to setup a simple studio lighting for shooting some dolls which is about 70cm tall..and i am thinking is it alright to use continuous lighting since it dont have any motion so i dont need flash units to freeze the motion..

and for EX580II flash, may i know what is the power of this flash?

well... if ur a beginner like me into product photography, i reckon u might not wanna start using a strobist kit huh.

well... think abt it.

strobist kit: if ur using canon flashes, u need at least 2, one of them having to be able to be a master. and u still gotta makesure u have full control over their settings. if this isnt tough enough, u probably need a fill light from a reflector or ur secondary flash, and erm. its really harder to judge how flash turns out. u gotta compensate for it etc.

so price wise.... lets see.
2 flashes: abt 800 plus? add ur tripod mount lar, ur tripods, ur umbrellas, ur reflector etc etc. oh yes. a backdrop too.

erm.tats a few k. :x
yet it is one of the more popular kits. maybe i'm just lazy to learn ~~

i personally am using a continuous lighting set.i got mine, 2 lights with stands, a light tent. advantage is i can tell how much lighting it falls on my subject right away and its easier to see. u can visit my blog in my signature to see some samples. maybe if u need help i could help along the way?

cheers!

 

[rysouke]

The 580EXII has a guide number of 58, meaning at max power it can light up a subject at a distance of 58m/190ft (at its 105mm zoom setting and ISO 100 according to Canon) at an aperture of f/1.0..

GN = Distance x Aperture (f-number)

Should be more than enough for your intended purpose.. Just note that if you're using light modifiers or bouncing the flash you'll lose some light due to the efficiency of the modifers..

Readup on inverse square law as well if you want to know how a flash's output is related to the subject distance..

ya this flash is really powerful enough for my purpose and i always have to bounce the light off a wall to fall on the subject if not it will be too harsh if shoot straight to the subject..

and i am planning for a studio lighting using continuous lighting setup as the below link
http://www.thestudiooutfitters.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65_74

it is ok for my purpose??

 

[rysouke]

well... if ur a beginner like me into product photography, i reckon u might not wanna start using a strobist kit huh.

well... think abt it.

strobist kit: if ur using canon flashes, u need at least 2, one of them having to be able to be a master. and u still gotta makesure u have full control over their settings. if this isnt tough enough, u probably need a fill light from a reflector or ur secondary flash, and erm. its really harder to judge how flash turns out. u gotta compensate for it etc.

so price wise.... lets see.
2 flashes: abt 800 plus? add ur tripod mount lar, ur tripods, ur umbrellas, ur reflector etc etc. oh yes. a backdrop too.

erm.tats a few k. :x
yet it is one of the more popular kits. maybe i'm just lazy to learn ~~

i personally am using a continuous lighting set.i got mine, 2 lights with stands, a light tent. advantage is i can tell how much lighting it falls on my subject right away and its easier to see. u can visit my blog in my signature to see some samples. maybe if u need help i could help along the way?


cheers!

yeah....actually i am thinking using continous lighting ...cause my subject is still no motion and i usually want to shoot it at home only...

 

[allenleonhart]

ya this flash is really powerful enough for my purpose and i always have to bounce the light off a wall to fall on the subject if not it will be too harsh if shoot straight to the subject..

and i am planning for a studio lighting using continuous lighting setup as the below link
http://www.thestudiooutfitters.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65_74

it is ok for my purpose??

wa... u dun seem like a beginner to me o.o

well. is it necessary? u might wanna see some sample photos too first before u make ur decision.

first things first:
continuous lighting setup: check ur color temperature of the light bulbs. its very important. my one is abt 5400K.

next: are u gonna diffuse the light? remember: a strong light casts a strong shadow. do u want it?

3: fill lights: can u control the power of ur light with tat kit?

4: reflectors: good, but not necessary. u could always couple a flash into a continuous lighting shoot. tats wad i do.

5: cost: is it too expensive? 170 bucks seems... a bit too ex. i got mine from tago tech. almost the same as ur kit, but mine has a light tent. same price

http://store.tagotech.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=281

if u are doing as a one time only i suggest u might wanna rent. its cheaper?

 

[rysouke]

wa... u dun seem like a beginner to me o.o

well. is it necessary? u might wanna see some sample photos too first before u make ur decision.

first things first:
continuous lighting setup: check ur color temperature of the light bulbs. its very important. my one is abt 5400K.

next: are u gonna diffuse the light? remember: a strong light casts a strong shadow. do u want it?

3: fill lights: can u control the power of ur light with tat kit?

4: reflectors: good, but not necessary. u could always couple a flash into a continuous lighting shoot. tats wad i do.

5: cost: is it too expensive? 170 bucks seems... a bit too ex. i got mine from tago tech. almost the same as ur kit, but mine has a light tent. same price

http://store.tagotech.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=281

if u are doing as a one time only i suggest u might wanna rent. its cheaper?

erm...actually it wont be a one time only...it will be always as what i am shooting are my collection of dolls..and also with that kit it got softbox with it..which can help diffuse the light and i am planning to get a reflector too to play with the light as depend on where i want to put the light..

As for now what i am using is EX580 II flash only and always have to bounce the light off..to get better result..

For the light tent...as my dolls are pretty tall like 65cm to 70cm so when shooting i might be facing a problem that why i am still wondering to get a tent or a background stand..

 

[allenleonhart]

erm...actually it wont be a one time only...it will be always as what i am shooting are my collection of dolls..and also with that kit it got softbox with it..which can help diffuse the light and i am planning to get a reflector too to play with the light as depend on where i want to put the light..

As for now what i am using is EX580 II flash only and always have to bounce the light off..to get better result..

For the light tent...as my dolls are pretty tall like 65cm to 70cm so when shooting i might be facing a problem that why i am still wondering to get a tent or a background stand..

well... did i mention got a 1 meter by 1 meter by 1 meter light tent

i'm usign the 75 by 75 by 75 hehe.



since tat way i suggest u get tago tech. since u got light tent u dun need soft box for diffusal

ok i show u one of my sample shot. and of course! its certainly post edited. for better looking comfort

if u want larger one go my blog see.

 

[rysouke]

ya i have saw the blog...if i want to shot two or three dolls together then the tent might too small..and also the doll have some crown on top of the head and i afraid i will mess their hair....hahaha...

you are right with the tent i wont be need diffuser or softbox..but with tent is hard for me do adjust posture of my dolls for shooting...so is really headache..and i have see some samples of those dolls shooting..

Below is one of the sample...really like this of kind setup..
http://pics11.blog.yam.com/19/userfile/d/dvd19/album/14a98bb82ee891.jpg
http://pics11.blog.yam.com/17/userfile/d/dvd19/album/14a236b51ca136.jpg

if i want to do shooting for two dolls like the 2nd picture...the tent might too small..and also very restricted in posture

 

[allenleonhart]

ya i have saw the blog...if i want to shot two or three dolls together then the tent might too small..and also the doll have some crown on top of the head and i afraid i will mess their hair....hahaha...

you are right with the tent i wont be need diffuser or softbox..but with tent is hard for me do adjust posture of my dolls for shooting...so is really headache..and i have see some samples of those dolls shooting..

Below is one of the sample...really like this of kind setup..
http://pics11.blog.yam.com/19/userfile/d/dvd19/album/14a98bb82ee891.jpg
http://pics11.blog.yam.com/17/userfile/d/dvd19/album/14a236b51ca136.jpg

if i want to do shooting for two dolls like the 2nd picture...the tent might too small..and also very restricted in posture

OH MY ITS THOSE TAIWAN DOLLS! they very famous there!!!!!!!!

lol;D

hmm. actually i think quite possible leh. i mean. add in photoshop, post editing, ur things looks nice

u can try first. hmm... cause remember: u dun need a soft box. u could just get an umbrella and light can still be diffused. its also another choice!

 

[rysouke]

OH MY ITS THOSE TAIWAN DOLLS! they very famous there!!!!!!!!

lol;D

hmm. actually i think quite possible leh. i mean. add in photoshop, post editing, ur things looks nice

u can try first. hmm... cause remember: u dun need a soft box. u could just get an umbrella and light can still be diffused. its also another choice!

HAhahaha....you are aware of those taiwan dolls...not many ppl in singapore know about that...and i am pretty crazy over those dolls..and their show..hehe currently watching the DVD...

i am starting to collect those dolls..so i want to take shoots of them..ya i can use umbrella not really need a softbox...but from the pictures..above are they using continous lighting or strobist set??? from the exif image data..it indicate flash not fire...so i can assume he uses continous lighting...


you mean add in photoshop ... do u mean the background or what?? It seem that the person did use CS4 to editing..

 

[allenleonhart]

HAhahaha....you are aware of those taiwan dolls...not many ppl in singapore know about that...and i am pretty crazy over those dolls..and their show..hehe currently watching the DVD...

i am starting to collect those dolls..so i want to take shoots of them..ya i can use umbrella not really need a softbox...but from the pictures..above are they using continous lighting or strobist set??? from the exif image data..it indicate flash not fire...so i can assume he uses continous lighting...


you mean add in photoshop ... do u mean the background or what?? It seem that the person did use CS4 to editing..

okkies. gonna get a bit boring for u.

lets see. i used flash? yes i did. 430exii. it showed on my canon raw file.

first u shoot in raw, and u adjust for the lightings lar. u know. basic stuff.

i used a black bg for the shot. ur infinitesweep type. it comes as a set.

now i open up photoshop, (i'm using cs3;D wrong guess again!)
i edit the raw file, using the blacks control, i'm able to cause the cloth to lose all its detail and to be viewed as pure black. good thing is that ur image dun lose much detail as its mainly white.

so i get a black bg!

the only major photoshop part was just the reflection actually. the rest is pretty close to original image. ;D

regarding the dolls ...

i go taiwan 9 years in a row LOL i'm quite aware of their existance;D

though never personally watch it before.

ya know if u stay near my house or something maybe could drop by to try or or something

oh yes. pictures on hte blog: nike is from a continuous lighting set. so is domokun. the nds was a normal flash shot, head on flash i was focusing more on photoshop at that point. i didnt even use a proper sweep for nds ~~

 

[rysouke]

okkies. gonna get a bit boring for u.

lets see. i used flash? yes i did. 430exii. it showed on my canon raw file.

first u shoot in raw, and u adjust for the lightings lar. u know. basic stuff.

i used a black bg for the shot. ur infinitesweep type. it comes as a set.

now i open up photoshop, (i'm using cs3;D wrong guess again!)
i edit the raw file, using the blacks control, i'm able to cause the cloth to lose all its detail and to be viewed as pure black. good thing is that ur image dun lose much detail as its mainly white.

so i get a black bg!

the only major photoshop part was just the reflection actually. the rest is pretty close to original image. ;D

regarding the dolls ...

i go taiwan 9 years in a row LOL i'm quite aware of their existance;D

though never personally watch it before.

ya know if u stay near my house or something maybe could drop by to try or or something

oh yes. pictures on hte blog: nike is from a continuous lighting set. so is domokun. the nds was a normal flash shot, head on flash i was focusing more on photoshop at that point. i didnt even use a proper sweep for nds ~~

shoot raw, adjust lighting and white balance i know that...cause that what i have doing for all my shoots...

I am using CS4...but not that often...dont edit much on background and CS4 is pretty complicated till now...i still scratch head...

I just been to taiwan last jul'09 and manage watch some episodes during my holiday trip...and got addicted after i come back to singapore i have been searching high and low for the show and dolls.....

So the pictures below using what kind of lighting??
http://pics11.blog.yam.com/19/userfile/d/dvd19/album/14a98bbdf4ad0d.jpg
http://pics11.blog.yam.com/17/userfile/d/dvd19/album/14a236b51ca136.jpg

 

[bengchiat]

So the pictures below using what kind of lighting??

looks simple enough for hotshoe flash.

bounced it from right side top down.