Genesis Lights: Portrait Results

[slivr]

A fellow POTN reader asked how the Genesis Lights perform for portraits. I originally purchased a Genesis 400 kit and used them for product images, light-box photography, etc. but recently picked up a 200 kit and decided to do some portraiture this weekend.

My original tests revealed they're surprisingly consistent lights (see thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=459939) while POTN member Tetrode pointed out their reflector inconsistencies. So I picked up an inexpensive 36"x48" softbox and used it instead of the main light's reflector. A Genesis 200 w/softbox was my main light ... the other Genesis 200 fitted with reflector was the fill. My two Genesis 400's were used to light the background. Unfortunately I blew out the background a bit too much with those 400's, producing some flare onto the model and back into my camera. Live and learn ... but that's my fault and not the lights. The old saying is "Start with a beautiful women and you've already created 90% of a great image". I almost screwed up the other 10% !!!!

Since there's few posted examples of images with Genesis lights, this sample shows they can indeed be used to learn fashion and/or glamour photography on a budget ... but just having any brand of light doesn't guarantee good results. It's the photographer's knowledge, placement of, and modifying of the light that makes the photograph. Not just a flash tube and a reflector.

[tetrode]

A fellow POTN reader asked how the Genesis Lights perform for portraits. I originally purchased a Genesis 400 kit and used them for product images, light-box photography, etc. but recently picked up a 200 kit and decided to do some portraiture this weekend.

My original tests revealed they're surprisingly consistent lights (see thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=459939) while POTN member Tetrode pointed out their reflector inconsistencies. So I picked up an inexpensive 36"x48" softbox and used it instead of the main light's reflector. A Genesis 200 w/softbox was my main light ... the other Genesis 200 fitted with reflector was the fill. My two Genesis 400's were used to light the background. Unfortunately I blew out the background a bit too much with those 400's, producing some flare onto the model and back into my camera. Live and learn ... but that's my fault and not the lights. The old saying is "Start with a beautiful women and you've already created 90% of a great image". I almost screwed up the other 10% !!!!

Since there's few posted examples of images with Genesis lights, this sample shows they can indeed be used to learn fashion and/or glamour photography on a budget ... but just having any brand of light doesn't guarantee good results. It's the photographer's knowledge, placement of, and modifying of the light that makes the photograph. Not just a flash tube and a reflector.

Forget about product images and lightbox photography, Slivr, you should be concentrating on portraiture. Very nice shot.

Dave F.

[TMR Design]

It is a nice image and really demonstrates the skills of the photographer and lighting modifiers, not the strobes.

All I mean is that the image could have been taken with any strobe. The quality of light is determined by the setup and modifiers used. The quality of the image falls entirely on the photographer :D

[Rudi]

What Robert said.

Hey Slivr, did you use the 200 kit for this because people were asking about it, or because you were getting too much light with the 400's?? I'm assuming it's because people asked about it, but thought I'd ask anyway. :)

[slivr]

Thanks, Robert and Tetrode. Still learning, but having fun with it all.

Rudi - I'd have preferred to use the 400's, but since I wanted the background to be about 1.5 stops more exposed than the subject out front ... and the 400's automatically produce 1 stop more light at the same numbered LED setting as the 200's, it just made sense to reserve them for the background and use the 200's for my subjects. I still had plenty of light regardless. Their power settings go from No. 60 (full power) down to 10 yet I was still shooting around No. 30 with the 200's so there was plenty of power to spare. Most of the people interested in the Genesis immediately lean towards the 200's because of their outstanding price, so this was a good example for those that want to see a picture taken with them.

- Jason S.

[slivr]

I agree, Robert. A finished portrait reveals little about a lights technical capabilities. The original tests Tetrode and I did for our Genesis lights provide more useful information for those that understand what they're reading and what the numbers mean. But some readers don't understand all those tables and numbers (or haven't read them yet) so they've asked for sample images taken with the lights. I know it could cause disappointment if someone buys lights based on a published example - and then can't duplicate the results themselves (not that my shots are better than any other photographer's) which is why I noted in my original post it's really not the lights, but the knowledge behind the camera that makes a successful image.

Anyway - for those that asked, there's a pic taken with a pair of Genesis 200s proving they can kick out sufficient light volume for a small studio and can be controlled to produce a satisfactory image. Genesis lights still seem surprisingly well built to me, and are an outstanding price point at only $340 for the 2-light kit ... but those stupid modeling lamps will cause frustration once you begin using certain accessories and modifiers.

I will say, one of the 200's I received was dead-on-arrival. It would power up, but none of the circuitry worked ... LEDs wouldn't read ... and button pushes wouldn't change settings. HOWEVER: I sent an email to Calumet about 1pm explaining the issue and asking how I begin the return/exchange process. Before I even received an email response from their team ... a UPS "in-route" message arrived about 4pm indicating my replacement was already on it's way to me. It arrived with a prepaid slip to return the original. How's that for customer service? :D

Personally, I think Tetrode and I are having just as much fun finding unexpected accessories and ways to expand these lights capabilities as creating images with them. ;)

[tetrode]

Personally, I think Tetrode and I are having just as much fun finding unexpected accessories and ways to expand these lights capabilities as creating images with them. ;)

You're extremely perceptive, Slivr and 100% correct.

Dave F.

[blatallic]

Thanks Slivr for taking to time to do all this research and testing...

I have a AB800 strobe and I was planning on getting the G200 for a fill and background...Think this would be sufficient anough to do some portrait/glamour work?? I don't plan on taking these to locations, just to use in my small home studio, I have sunpacks for on location gigs....

I'm not sure if I want the G200 or just bite the bullet and get the G400....What you think?

[slivr]

Well that AB-800 is kicking out 320 watt/seconds so for comparisan sake let's take away reflectors and modifiers. It can produce (roughly) 1.5 times the light of a Genesis 200. (320w/s versus 200w/s) Standard portraiture uses a 3:1 light ratio, meaning 1 full f-stop difference between the main and fill so you'd have to back off the power of your AB main light a little to create that ratio, so this combo should absolutely work for portraiture.

Glamour and beauty shots often use a tighter ratio than 3:1 to minimize shadows. So you may have to back off your AB800 a little more to have a closer f-stop setting to the Genesis 200 (though you'd still be above the AB's 1/2 power setting). This combo should work as well, though you wouldn't be taking advantage of full power settings on the AB.

Gotta be honest though - I think a matched pair of lights would provide greater flexibility and long term growth for you than mixing/matching light brands and power levels, so I'd probably recommend another AB800 instead for you. What little I've played with them - they're great lights for the money and it allows you to get just one set of modifiers and switch them back-n-forth between lights as needed. With an AB main + Genesis fill, you'll need two sets of modifiers or adapter rings for accessories and get frustrated.

[blatallic]

I see your point and its a good one. So do you recommend AB400's or another AB800...I think I should be fine with AB400's but you know a whole lot more then I do...lol

I've shot with a friends Alien Bees setup consisting of one AB800 and two B400 and pics came out great.

[slivr]

LOL - Looking back at my computing above proves my initial math wasn't that smart. Geesh! 320w/s over 200w/s isn't going to produce the f-stop difference I stated. But regardless, the compelling issue (for me) would be the ability to switch and change up my modifiers from light to light, and Alien Bee's accessories are super values. So my recommendation still stands although the f-stop math was weak. :oops:

Others more familiar with the quality of AB's light output & modifiers could better answer I think. The power ratio and numbers of those lights should be adequate for what you're saying you want to do, but I'd still match my lights to create the most flexibility in the future. The addt'l cost for an 800 isn't much over the 400, and allows you to use them in synch for a large background ... matched, harsh sidelighting for certain style fashion shots ... better coverage over a larger group ... etc. But if you find yourself primarily shooting in small setups, individual portraits, or light-box type product images the 400 becomes a wiser choice since you don't want to have to turn your lights down too low. Almost all the lower-end lights get a little flaky in true power output as you get near their bottom-end of their power settings. Anyone else want to chime in on this?

- Jason S.

[blatallic]

Slivr you make an awesome point and you just reminded me....I do plan on shooting small christian concerts, nothig huge just that I have a few friends are in a christian group and I offered to photograph them and the audience during concerts...For this I would need the AB800...hmm decisions lol...This stuff is so addicting and expensive lol

[slivr]

Absolutely: Addicting and Expensive fun!

[blatallic]

Thanks to our conversation I just ordered some new goodies for the studio at my home. Just spent some money but its such a relaxing hobby lol

[slivr]

Congrats! Did you stick with AB or ?

[Rudi]

I hope he did. It makes much more sense to stick with the one mounting system, otherwise you have another thing to worry about (can I use this light modifier with this light, etc.).

[blatallic]

Slivr I bought two more AB800 with a one soft box and their 20 gel kits to get creative. Bought the hilite background too and a couple of stands for the lights..on and a 5 in 1 reflector with its stand...I get everything next week, Im excited!!!

[slivr]

Heh-heh! It's easy to spend money on camera gear, isn't it? With 3 lights AND a 5-in-1 reflector you'll have lots of lighting options now. Be sure to post your band picture down the road when finished!

[blatallic]

I sure will, They have a concert later this month early next that I plan on shooting....Might need some heads up on how to position the lights, platform isnt big in most of our churches...Yes its true, its so easy to spend a lot of money on gear, thousand dollars in a few mouse clicks lol

[bsawle]

Here are a few more example of the genesis lights 400W main and 400W fill. 2 speedlights on the background

[bsawle]

Here are a few more example of the genesis lights 400W main and 400W fill. 2 speedlights on the background


2 more one with a black background.

[blatallic]

wow, the black bckgrnd one is awsesome!!!!

[slivr]

Nice job, Bruce! And super little model there. :) That last one is way too funny!!!