Need suggestions regarding studio backlighting

[wparsonsgisnet]

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I did an extensive studio shoot of dancers this past weekend.

 

I joined another guy last year on a similar shoot and on the white backdrop he used 2 lights that had barn doors on them, with one light in front into an umbrella.

 

I rented Photogenic 500 w/sec lights and used 2 in back and one in front. I had trouble getting even illumination across the backdrop (in my case, a white scrim) and the white paper on the floor.

 

I only had one softbox, but I plan to do another shoot just like this a couple of times a year -- and to use softboxes on the back lites next time.

 

Question of the gurus, please: Will the softboxes give me more even illumination across the back? I have the stands about 15 feet apart with the lites up 5 feet. I was going to try the softboxes without front diffusers to start.

 

Many thanks. Now, I have to do some reading on eyedropper adjustments to the background. Nice shots tho. Dancers and singers are magical!

 

When I've gotten some processing time in, I'll post some shots. I will say this -- ALL the dancers were raving about the M8 -- they liked the quality of the images, which they viewed either on the back screen (plan and pageing modes) or on a laptop about every 30-50 shots.. And, they liked the immediate appearance of the image on the camera's screen.

 

My bride was directing most of the shoot and was raving about this little machine as an imaging and viewing tool! The pro has spoken. She was recently interviewed on TV (Boston) and can be seen here:

To The Pointe (left menu: Watch via Internet, and then Margot Parsons' link or the WMP-link for the interview of 1-11-07).

 

Regards,

[Hartmonstr]

The more distance from the light to the background, the better your chances are for even illumination across a solid background. If you have a light on either side placed as far from the background as possible without hitting your subject, your light should be even. A larger light source such as a softbox or shooting through a scrim will help, but distance is more important to prevent hot spots on the background. I bounce two lights off my white ceiling for maximum distance and get very even illumination across the background, as shown here.

[wparsonsgisnet]

John, thank you kindly. I will get more distance the next time.

 

What an exquisite shot! Would you let us in the the hardware and workflow details.

 

Thanks, again.

[Hartmonstr]

Capture:

1DsMkII with 70-200f/2.8L-IS at f/10, ISO 100. 4x6 Larson softbox for main light, two lights bounced off the ceiling to illuminate the background, a light bounced into a white wall directly behind the camera for even fill light.

 

Post-process:

Processed in CaptureOne Pro using their generic for the 1DsMkII. Plus 7 saturation added in Photoshop.

 

HTH

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Bill probably the best is using 2 soft box strip lights for the background from Chimera and others . Usaully a foot wide by 5 ft long or something of that proportion. Or think of it as copy lights one light on each side at a 45 degree angle and than block off from the subject if needed. Also it is all a matter of balance also , you don't want too much light on the background to flare you out or cause shadowing in the front of the subject. John's is a nice example of a good balance between front and backlights

[bnelson]

Great shot John.

 

Thanks to you and Guy for the lighting ideas.

 

Bill

[wparsonsgisnet]

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Captu ... 4x6 Larson softbox for main light, two lights bounced off the ceiling to illuminate the background, a light bounced into a white wall directly behind the camera for even fill light.

 

Thank you, John. I'll rent 4 lights from now on, so I can simulate the bounce from the rear for even fill.

 

Now that I can see what they're supposed to look like, I've got it made.

 

What lights are you using, please?

 

Regards,

[Hartmonstr]

"What lights are you using, please?"

 

I use Paul Buff lights. The X800 is more light than you could use for a setup such as this. I use my older 600s at between 1/8 and 1/4 power, with ISO 100 and still have to stop down to f/10.

 

http://www.white-lightning.com/x800.html

 

John

[wparsonsgisnet]

I use Paul Buff lights. The X800 is more light than you could use for a setup such as this. I use my older 600s at between 1/8 and 1/4 power, with ISO 100 and still have to stop down to f/10.

 

White Lightning: Professional Photographic Flash Units and Accessories

 

John

 

Yeah, I was using Photogenic 500's at 1/2 to 1/4 power: clearly more than enough. I don't have a bouncable ceiling, but I can Hang 'Em High. I lilke the idea of the big softbox in front. If I can't rent such I can buy just a softbox while I'm still in the auditioning stage.

 

I think I need really big umbrellas tho. I only had 4 footers.

 

Thanks a million. You made it really clear. I have read several studio lighting books, but I get so bored reading about butterfly lights, etc., and then being turned off by multiple highlites in the eyes. Your pic really sings!

[wparsonsgisnet]

Update -- my shoot Saturday went very well.

 

We were in a large room with a glass wall to the right of the paper backdrop. It was cloudy, so no sun came in.

 

I used 2 lites on either side of the subjects, with softboxes, aimed at the backdrop from the ceiling (about 9 feet).

 

I used 1 lite with umbrella at about 6:30 - 7:00 o'clock facing the subjects.

 

And I used 1 lite with umbrella at the back wall, as fill. The wall wasn't white, so the umbrella was necessary.

 

The lighting with the fill made an emormous difference. Thanks to John for the layout suggestion and to Guy for his suggestion. I expecially like that there is a single highlilte in the eyes when the fill is right.

 

The clients are delirious. And I am exceedingly pleased with the shots. They did a great job.

 

I'll post some after I get a chance to do some processing of them.

 

Regards,