 Posted 8/26/2008 12:34:46 PM
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Hello everyone! I need your help!
I just recently purchased a complete set of studio lights. Here is what I purchased:
KIT CONTENTS
3- FAN160's 160WS each with modeling lamp,9ft power cord, and 10' sync cable
1- WIRELESS TWO CHANNEL RADIO TRIGGER
1- 24 INCH PRO SOFTBOX
1- 33 INCH GOLD UMBRELLA
1- PRO 4 LEAF BARNDOOR KIT with honeycomb and set of gels
3- PROFESSIONAL 6FT LIGHT STANDS
1- EQUIPMENT BAG
I am replacing the gold umbrella with a 45" white with removable black cover. I was told that gold is a terrible color to use for my fill light.
Right now I am using the softbox as my main light and the umbrella as my filler light. I have been using the third light as my BG light. The softbox sits on the left of my subject about 3 feet away and the filler light sits to the right in front of my subject at the same distance. I use a flash meter before every photo shoot.
I still feel that I am not using the lighting correctly.
My settings on my camera stay at 1/125 and my aperture is usually set at f-stop 8. I have been using two different lenses. My 105mm and my 55mm. I just purchased the 18mm 200mm lens. I should have that by this weekend.
If anyone can offer me tips and tricks on how to get the best use out of my studio lighting I would greatly appreciate it.
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Posted 8/26/2008 1:12:51 PM
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| Connie, your best bet is to buy a book on studio lighting techniques. There are several lighting techniques and they all render a different effect. If you do a search on Amazon.com for studio lighting, you'll see a plethora of good books.
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Posted 8/26/2008 2:12:22 PM
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| Thanks Will for the tip. I'll check Amazon out.
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Posted 8/26/2008 4:44:16 PM
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Hi Connie
I recently got myself a Strobe Kit:
3 x 160w Master Flash Heads
1 x 28"x20" Softbox with detachable soft white diffuser
1 x 33" Silver/Black Reflector Umbrella
3 x WT803 Light Stands
1 x 4 Lead Barn Doors
1 x Set Coloured Gels
1 x Honeycomb Diffuser
1 x Snoot
1 x Wireless Flash trigger
1 x Background Support Stand - Full size
1 x Support Stand Carry Case
1 x Compartmentalized Padded Studio Bag
There's a lot to take in but I've managed to get a few jobs from it already.
I found that the following sites/articles helped a great deal:
Studio Lighting - a beginners guide to lighting
Specific Studio Lighting Site
You should learn loads from the above but if you need more then these downloadable books may help too.
Also, don't forget about YouTube as there are loads of great Tutorial videos all about lighting and Studio Photography.
Hope this helps.
If you want the rainbow - you gotta put up with the rain.
A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel sooooo good! 
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Posted 8/27/2008 5:00:58 AM
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Thanks Sandy for the information. I have watched a few videos on Youtube but I still seem to have issues with my lighting. Maybe it will get better once I get my white umbrella. I'll just keep practicing until I get it right.
Thanks again.
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Posted 8/27/2008 5:47:32 AM
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| Connie, the only difference a gold umbrella makes is it renders warmer light.
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Posted 8/27/2008 8:28:38 AM
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Online one of your best resources can be found http://photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00BjHh It is a forum moderated by Brooks Short and Gerry Edwards, both very talented.
Don't overlook Strobist.com. It is a blog based primarily on off camera lighting with portable flashes but the concepts transfer well to studio lighting. It's worth noting that David also sells a DVD of his lighting seminar Midwest photo and it is an investment in skill that is worthwhile.
As far as books go I would suggest that "Light: Science and Magic" is the ultimate guide to lighting. It is technical in the "right" way, sufficient depth to help you understand the whys but it does no skimp on the hows. Not cheap, but worth every penny.
Of the three options I would suggest the latter most of all since it gives you the skill to deconstruct the lighting in the images you see everyday. I will say that through hours of browsing through the online tutorials on Strobist.com you can gain many of the same skills but the why's are not so apparent you will have to work for them.
Lastly, I have to say that entering the world of off camera lighting is a humbling experience. If you thought you have skills you soon realize that you know almost nothing about light, expect your ego to be bruised and, with practice, your skills to soar since, until you understand the relationship between the light and the image, you can't understand just how much skill was required to produce the images you look at in amazement. Few here appreciate the work by people such as http://www.unknown-master.com/PORTFOLIO/ but as far as technical ability goes it displays a skill that I can only hope to, some day, achieve in the studio. IMO it takes 1 part artist, 1 part technician, and 1 part lighting god. All that and she is rated #12 on the over 20 image rating of photographers on DA. Amazing!
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Posted 8/27/2008 10:54:44 AM
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Chris, thank you for the link. I thought studio lighting was going to make my life a lot easier, but in fact, it has made it a lot more difficult. I do photo shoots every night and still can't seem to get the lighting the way that I want it. I so agree with your last statement. I'll just keep plugging along until I do get it. Thanks. 
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Posted 8/27/2008 1:44:20 PM
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No Problem Connie! It's good to know that someone else on DA is experiencing this steep learning curve at around the same time. I'm basically doing lots of reading and loads of experimenting - also trying to take notes along the way so that I remember what works ........or nearly works.
Thanks Chris for the info and links! Very helpful - Thank you!
I've always had a great appreciation of good lighting, particularly in the Portrait Category, we've certainly got/had some extremely talented members! Unfortunately, I don't think that everyone appreciates the difficulty involved.
If you want the rainbow - you gotta put up with the rain.
A conscience is what hurts when a
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