Digital BW, The Print

on 7/16/03 4:33 AM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com at
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com wrote:

> Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 14:31:33 -0500
> From: David Jackson <lagniap@...>
> Subject: OT --- Studio Lighting: forums, books, equipment
> 
> Hello, Everyone:
> 
> (Perhaps not entirely off topic...ya gotta light a good shot before you can
> print it, eh?)
> 
> I was a landscape photographer for many years --- 4x5, Ansel Adams Junior,
> and all that. I'm now interested in (home) studio portraits and nudes,
> initially with digital capture (Dimage 7Hi).
> 
> I'm not going to spend thousands of $ on lights. I've used work lights for
> a while and am now looking to purchase a set of studio strobes. I
> understand that Alien Bees offers good value for the money.
> 
> 
> My Questions:
> 
> 1. Any GOOD mail lists or forums specific to photographic lighting?
> 
> 2. Any recommendations for books?
> 
> Two types: the technical setup and usage of studio flash and
> portrait/figure lighting. (But, substantive books, not someone excuse to
> use their culls as supposed examples of "lighting technique". I've seen the
> basic lighting diagrams and I can't do setups outfitted with $10,000 worth
> of equipment.) I'm interested in fundamental to intermediate explanations
> or suggestions which will shorten the learning curve. The lighting I've
> seen in Robert Faber is the sort of thing I'd like to learn to produce.
> 
> 3. Any recommendations about equipment? Votes against Alien Bees. Horror
> stories, Love stories? What about flash meters?

David,

For the type of work you are doing, I would use continuous light, not
strobes. To learn lighting, you must see it, not flash it.

You can try to continue with your work lights, but for this type of work you
may well want to reflect them off white cards (foam core) or though
diffusion material. A cheap diffusion material is tracing paper. You will
need something to hang it on that is not too close to the lamp (fire
safety). You can buy heat resistant diffusion from Roscoe, or Lee filter
companies by the sheet.

Here's how I would start:

Get a model or mannequin. Frame for a head shot. Place camera on a tripod.
Use only one light source and shoot 8 different lamp/light source positions
around the head at head level.(North, North East, East, etc.) Repeat for
above and below head level. This should be done in a darkened room , in the
middle, away from the walls (reflections).
Note: when the lights are behind the subject, you must do your best to keep
the lamp out of frame. The stand is OK for this test. Also you must shade
the lens from the light hitting it and causing flare (this is a must!).

You must keep good records of each test shot. When you are done, place
prints of all the test shots on a table and learn. Next repeat the test
holding (or a helper holding) a large (4'x4') white card opposite the lamp
and reflecting back on the subject. Print and learn.

For Nudes and portraits that don't move fast, continuous (non strobe)
lighting I think would be best.

This ought to get you started. Then you can move on to equipment to cut the
light using black flags, and semi see through nets. One will use it to
really paint with the light...

-Bruce

Visit my website at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~smthopr