Studio lighting, flash exposure confusion :(

  • Thread starter Thread starter stratocaster72
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stratocaster72

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Hey

Ive just posted my welcome in the other forum.

Thought i would ask
Are
 
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oops... this should be in the studio forum i think...
 
stratocaster72 said:
oops... this should be in the studio forum i think...
Click to expand...

Maybe ;)

Turn the lights down as low as they'll go, lowest ISO, then raise the f/number. That should do it, but other options are to move the lights back or use an ND filter.

Set up the lights one at a time, starting with the main key light, checking the LCD and histogram/blinkies. That should get the ratios right, but unless you know that you need this light to be one stop up and that light to be two stops down etc, a flashmeter won't help.

Then switch them all on and tweak the overall exposure, which will probably have gone up a bit, with either ISO or f/number.
 
thanks :)

does the fill light have to be further away/ lower than the key light?
and.... should the key light be more or less slightly above the middle of the model and pointed down ?
I know this is all dependent on the mood of the shoot, but I'm just trying to establish a starting point from where to build :)

I've checked on youtube and stuff but there are some real strange things on there lol, either useful but not very suitable or just plain weird in some cases :)

thanks again
 
Fill light must always be lower. It's to lighten shadows, not create new ones. But I never use fill-in with a softbox, if it's soft enough - just a reflector.

Start with the key light above the model's eye line and just to one side.

If you're starting out, use only one light and try a few variations with that. Multiple lights are much harder to use and just add confusion until you know what you're doing. You don't need a hair light unless it's dark hair against a dark background, or at least it's not essential.

Build one step at a time and don't add extra lights until you've nailed the first one.
 
I put a couple of pix in my welcome message, nothing fancy, and one with a quick (rubbish) background fix (there was a small lamp I thought looked ok when I took the pic but was annoying when I seen it full screen).
 
Some good advice Hoppyuk. Off camera flash is doing my head in.
 
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