1) Make sure the umbrellas are about 36". Any smaller, and they don't do very
well.
2) Photeks are OK, and are translucent with a black removable backing. By
removing this backing, you can shoot_through_the umbrella, for even softer
light. Off-brands of similar designs are as good, and might save you money (If
that's ever an issue)
3) Be sure to shade the lens well from flare.
4) Adjust the flash so it fills the umbrella to the edge. Not a hotspot center.
5) Simple improvement. Put a 2' x 3' (or 3x4) card thet can be bought at a pro
shop (or you can make one) that is white on one side, silver on the other,
horizontally below the frame like a table top, or 2 on stands - one on each
side. Also as close to the picture frame as possible.
6) Try to have enough distance from the background, so shadows won't reach.
7) Backgrounds don't have to be pro rolls. A large piece of burlap, or textured
fabric, etc. can look really rich.
With ceiling bounce flash, the light is too overhead, unless you are pretty far
from the subject.
Larry
Olaf Greve wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> > I think you're right about the umbrellas. That should be my next
> purchase.
>
> > I was surprised at the shadows though. The flash units are at 45 degree
> > angles from the kids and aimed about 60 degrees in the air, meaning mostly
> > at the ceiling. Small room, white walls, more effiecient reflectors than
> > expected.
>
> I hardly ever use bounce light with flashes as I find it unpredictable, a
> thing which I almost always do, is to put the Wide Angle Diffuser filter on
> the T32, this is *great* for quick shots where an umbrella set-up (and/or
> bouncing) is impossible. These filters can also very easily be created by
> cutting a piece out of a milk jug. Actually, that's an aspect I like a lot
> about these studio set-ups, for once with very cheap materials you can come
> a long way in setting up a half-way decent studio. :) The backdrop can be
> either paper or cloth, the flash diffusers can be made from a milk jug or
> better, from a simple set of umbrellas and some white paint, as reflectors
> the standard isolation foam boards work really well, and if you need a good
> way to mount the background, I suggest nailing an array of "crocodile
> clamps" (are these things called liked that? - I'm talking about the clamps
> to which an electric wire can be connected and which can then be clamped on
> some conductive surface) to the ceiling/wall, this way you can easily and
> quickly change backgrounds.
>
> > I shot most of them at f/4 with the 85/2 and 50/1.4. No room for the 100.
> I was a little
> > surprised at the depth of field myself.
>
> Indeed! I thought you stopped down to f8 or so :)
>
> > My other purchase needs to be proper background material.
>
> In the somewhat more professional studios you will see that people use paper
> backdrops, yet I don't have the means to hang such a big roll from my
> ceiling. That is, I don't see a quick and easy way in which I then can also
> easily change backdrops...
>
> > Oh, and a house with a longer room, but that one will wait <g>.
>
> Hehehe, so much for the "cheap" suggestions ;)
>
> > I'm trying to figure out which room I can permanently mount backdrops that
> roll down.
>
> Yes, that would indeed be the preferred method.
>
> > Loved your dog shots, particularly the one with the bone on the black
> cloth.
>
> Thanks, this is one of my favourites too. There were more shots from this
> session which I really liked, but I just selected the two of these for the
> page.
>
> > My other 'next step' is more posed shots with props -- a little more
> natural looking.
> > Always new things to do!
>
> Certainly! :)
> Regarding the "attention period": if you thought that was bad with your
> daughters, try doing so with a puppy ;) One of the reasons the chewing bone
> is in the picture was to maintain the dog interested in something so she
> would stay in the same place for a second or two :) You're right though,
> this is a tough thing. The way I went about it was to fully set-up the
> studio first (took ma an hour or so), then when I had charged the flashes
> and everything was ready, I quickly brought Gioka to the studio, and used
> Gioconda as an assistent in distracting her :)
>
> Cheers!
> Olafo
>
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