100 Faculty Portraits for a University's Website

[clarkkent]

I have been asked to take pictures the faculty (head shots) at a local university to be posted on their website and other publications.

I understand the main and fill concepts but I do not know subtleties such as how high the lights should be relative to the head and the proper lighting ratios for the standard portrait shots.

Current equipment -
1-(500ws) monolight
2-(250ws) monolights
1-large softbox
3-umbrellas (one shoot through)
50 and 85 mm prime canon lenses
1-backdrop stand but no suitable backdrop for such shots

What is the most effective setup?
What color backdrop should I get?
What lighting ratios should I use?
How high should the lights be? (subject on stool)
How much should I charge a state university for full rights to my prints?

Thanks in advance and thanks for past advice!

[FlyingPhotog]

I would think a nice, neutral, conservative grey for the BG...

[clarkkent]

Thanks for the quick response!

[FlyingPhotog]

Thanks for the quick response!

The best thing with grey is that if you do light it, you can bring the EV up. If you keep some distance and keep light off of it, you can make it a nice dark, rich grey .. nearly black.

[clarkkent]

This post is helping me with the strobe level... thanks!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=577435

[Moppie]

1,What is the most effective setup?
2,What color backdrop should I get?



You've asked lots of questions in one post, some of the ones relating to lighting might be better asked in the lighting forum.

However:

1, Are you doing all 100 at once? or over a period of time?

Ideally you want one, fixed set up, that will not get changed for all 100 portraits.
Get it set up right, then leave it, and you can run people through in a production line.
It will make your job easier, save you and the faculty staff time, and it will provide a consistent look for all the shots.

2, A neutral colour would be ideal, but I would check with the uni, and see what colour back ground that will be displayed in on the website, then work with them to use a colour that will suit the website design and lay out.