Help with Studio Lighting

[portraitsbytracy]

I am just starting out in photography, and am trying to learn correct lighting for portraits. I'm using a digital Rebel XT with an EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, along with two RPS studio 300 lights. I just purchased the lens thinking it would be great for portraits to gain a shallower depth of field in the studio. However, even at the lights' lowest settings, anything shot at less than f/11 (at 1/200 and 100 ISO) seems to be completely blown out by the flash. I've tried shooting into the umbrella and through it. My camera doesn't sync past 1/200, so if I go any faster, the picture blacks out. I have one light on the background, and one with a flash unit and white umbrella. What am I missing here? Again, I'm just learning, so it may be something very simple I'm not aware of. Thanks!!

[bolantej]

do you have a flashmeter? try backing the light source up some, maybe it's too close.

[portraitsbytracy]

I don't have a flashmeter, and I've already tried backing the light up. It still won't let me stop up even with it 6 feet back, or is that still too close? That's about all the room I have.

[GyRob]

at 6ft i would exspect around f8 f11 ,you say you have tried shoot through then get a cotton sheet to put over your shootthrough brolly it will reduse the power of the flash may even take to thickness's for what you want.
Rob.

[GyRob]

im not sure but can't you ajust the power output on these lights ? half power would give you f8 - 1/4 f5.6 -1/8 f4 so you would still need the cotton sheet .
Rob.

[JaertX]

nd filter sounds like your solution.

Maybe stop down a bit. But it's a preference thing...I don't like studio type shots with a very wide aperture.

[portraitsbytracy]

nd filter sounds like your solution.

Maybe stop down a bit. But it's a preference thing...I don't like studio type shots with a very wide aperture.


Again, I'm pretty new to this.... what is an nd filter and what does it do exactly? Is it common to have smaller aperture for portraits? I really like the effect of the blurry background with the outdoor photography I've done.

[portraitsbytracy]

im not sure but can't you ajust the power output on these lights ? half power would give you f8 - 1/4 f5.6 -1/8 f4 so you would still need the cotton sheet .
Rob.

I will try the cotton sheet as I don't believe I can adjust the output. Does 6ft. seem too close for a flash, or do you usually not use a wider aperture for portraits?

[JaertX]

well, some people certainly do shoot studio shots with large apertures. I think with studio shots it's nicer to have more of a person's head in focus. It's really just a personal preference and there are many people on either side. I do like outdoor shots and some...not many, studio shots with very narrow DOF. I shoot most of mine at f/8-f/11, but outdoor I do like wide open.

ND is neutral density. It is basically sunglasses for your lens. Use it for either longer shutter speeds or wider apertures. It doesn't effect any other quality.

[portraitsbytracy]

well, some people certainly do shoot studio shots with large apertures. I think with studio shots it's nicer to have more of a person's head in focus. It's really just a personal preference and there are many people on either side. I do like outdoor shots and some...not many, studio shots with very narrow DOF. I shoot most of mine at f/8-f/11, but outdoor I do like wide open.

ND is neutral density. It is basically sunglasses for your lens. Use it for either longer shutter speeds or wider apertures. It doesn't effect any other quality.

Thanks for the info! I definitely need to practice some more to achieve my desired effects. What is the benefit of using a 50mm lens over the stock 18-55mm the camera came with for studio portraits if I'm not using it at a wider aperture than 4.0?

[harryb49]

Prime lenses like the 50mm lens are usually a little sharper than the zooms but the zoom lenses offer more flexibility at the price of smaller f-stops. And you already know that the prime lens you have will open up more to allow correct exposure at a lower light level.

You will find it easier to get the background out of focus with a longer lens like a 100 mm or so. Also, keep your subject away from the background by 6-8 feet to help keep it a blur.

[pparker]

You can buy Neutral Density Gel filters mounted in cardboard to fit over your studio lights. They come is varying densities so combining more than one will get you where you want in terms of exposure. This is a great way to control the power of your lights. Also try backing your lights away from the subject if possible.

I'd recommend a flash meter if you can afford one. The Sekonic L-358 is around 200.00 and will make your life easier when shooting in the studio.

[mbze430]

Here is what it looks like.... ND filter

If you increase the distance of the light source from the subject you create more contrast for the subject.