What’s the main advantage having a three head setup over a two?

[Lucy01]

I am pretty new to studio lighting as you can probably tell with this question


What’s the main advantage to having a 3 head setup over a two head setup?

Will it just give better light i.e. more light on the model or is there a lot more you can do with a 3 head setup that you cannot do with a two head setup?

Thanks

[SkipD]

The more lights you have, the more flexible your setup can be. For example, you may want a light to illuminate the background separately. You may want to have a "hair light". Etc.

[bagtagsell]

The more the merrier. Hair, background, kickers, main, fill the madness would never stop.

[JBaz]

The more the merrier. Hair, background, kickers, main, fill the madness would never stop.
True to that. Once you start in flash photography, you can never really slow down or stop. Already 5 strobes in and I want to add another 2-4 when I get some more money. :confused: Just means you can do more and will take more time in planning out what you want to do and more time to it up correctly.

[sfaust]

Start lighing every image with only a single strobe. Only add more if you see a need in the image. Once you see the need for a third light, you will immediately know the advantage of having two over one, three over two, and so on.

If you start with lots of lights, you'll use them, even if the image will be more powerful with less. Starting with less lights, you'll only add more if they add something to the image.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/273422882_c04a0248e2.jpg
This was one light. I can't see any reason to add another light to this image. So there is no real advantage to doing so.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/273422884_6c6a13c14e.jpg
This is a two light setup. I like the image as is, done with two lights. Although, I could add a third, and some might have preferred it that way. In this case, the third light could have been put on the left of the image and behind the subject. This would have added some rim lighting to the left side of the subject for more pronounced separation from the background. I felt the separation was fine as is, and liked the more dramatic lighting as it was. But this is one case where you can probably visualize what a third light would bring to the image.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/426171046_732b1563b5.jpg
Here is an image that really needed the third light. Since this was black on black, one light on each side and to the rear was needed in order to keep the blacks from merging and loosing depth and definition. One main light on the front, and two kicker lights, for a total of three. Without the two kicker lights, she could end up a floating head and hand.

Start with one light, then only add more lights as they are needed. When adding each light, you will know why you are adding it, and why it needs to be there.

[sfaust]

Here is one more

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/511374143_accf9d72b0.jpg
There is a soft box on the right facing the subject. A kicker light on the left illuminating her hair and right cheek. And a third light on the background. Take away any one of the three, and its a different image. The effects of each light is obvious in what it brings to the image overall.

[Curtis N]

Great examples, Stephen!

[sfaust]

I'm not used to see you as a female Curtis :) I have to double check each time!

[Moppie]

Start lighing every image with only a single strobe. Only add more if you see a need in the image. Once you see the need for a third light, you will immediately know the advantage of having two over one, three over two, and so on.



Excellent advice and examples!
You just summed up the whole book I read on the subject into 2 easy posts :)



I'm not used to see you as a female Curtis :) I have to double check each time!

I keep getting caught out by it as well.
Its amazing what a good shave and a hair cut can do to a man.

[sfaust]

Yea, I never knew he had such a feminie side. I bet he decorates well also! :)

[Moppie]

Yea, I never knew he had such a feminie side. I bet he decorates well also! :)

You only have to look at his post count to see how much he talks

[lowcrust]

Har har har!

Great advice. I'm temped to get my second flash but I fear it could actually hinder my progress. Your post made me put it ff for a few days more...

[SunTsu]

sfaust, these are great examples and enough to make me decide to get a third 580