Studio environment

[jeromego]

should a studio be dark or is it alright to have windows and some light coming in from the windows? thanks

[Lotto]

How about dark but with some over head lights that can be turned on and off?

[jeromego]

anyone?

[TMR Design]

If you're shooting with flash and studio strobes then the ambient light coming in through a window won't be contributing to the exposure unless you're shooting with very long exposures. If you're syncing at or near your cameras max shutter sync speed then you can have room lights on and light coming in through the windows without affecting exposure. That ambient light is very little compared to the burst of light coming from a strobe and recorded while the shutter is open.

Do an experiment to see for yourself. Lets say you're shooting ISO 100, f/8, 1/160s. Block the window light. Now take another shot without the windows blocked. You shouldn't see a difference in the exposure.

Try the same thing with a room lamp. Turning the lamp on and off shouldn't affect exposure at all.

Remember that aperture controls your flash exposure and shutter speed controls the ambient. If you dropped your shutter speed down to something like 1/15s then a room lamp or window light will contribute the exposure. By the same token, if you darkened your studio and had no room lamps or window light then you could shoot at 1/160s or 1/15s and there would be no difference whatsoever to the exposure because there isn't any significant ambient contribution.

[Jim M]

Ambient light probably won't make any difference in the exposure unless your flash is quite weak, but if you have modeling lights, it helps to see their effect if the room is on the dark side. If you are using units without modeling lights, like speedlights, then it doesn't matter as long as there is enough light to focus.

[Hermes]

Hate to disagree with most people above but direct sunlight can easily be seen in an average studio exposure... e.g. f/8, 1/125, ISO 100. If a studio has windows then there should always be blackout curtains to block them thoroughly. Even if the light coming in is diffused, with no defined edges, it can be enough to fill shadows that were meant to be dark or wash-out gelled backgrounds that were intended to be rich and colourful.

[TMR Design]

Well we can all make blanket statements but I have tested and measured, so in my particular situation I can say without question that window light absolutely does not affect my exposure or contaminate my shooting area in any way, shape or form.

Others may find they get different results depending on the relative brightnesses and size of the windows, and proximity of subject area to the windows.

[Rebel450D_Addict]

Well we can all make blanket statements but I have tested and measured, so in my particular situation I can say without question that window light absolutely does not affect my exposure or contaminate my shooting area in any way, shape or form.

Others may find they get different results depending on the relative brightnesses and size of the windows, and proximity of subject area to the windows.

Wow that was deep

[GyRob]

If you're shooting with flash and studio strobes then the ambient light coming in through a window won't be contributing to the exposure unless you're shooting with very long exposures. If you're syncing at or near your cameras max shutter sync speed then you can have room lights on and light coming in through the windows without affecting exposure. That ambient light is very little compared to the burst of light coming from a strobe and recorded while the shutter is open.

Do an experiment to see for yourself. Lets say you're shooting ISO 100, f/8, 1/160s. Block the window light. Now take another shot without the windows blocked. You shouldn't see a difference in the exposure.

Try the same thing with a room lamp. Turning the lamp on and off shouldn't affect exposure at all.

Remember that aperture controls your flash exposure and shutter speed controls the ambient. If you dropped your shutter speed down to something like 1/15s then a room lamp or window light will contribute the exposure. By the same token, if you darkened your studio and had no room lamps or window light then you could shoot at 1/160s or 1/15s and there would be no difference whatsoever to the exposure because there isn't any significant ambient contribution.
totally agree.
Rob.

[René Damkot]

Depends on the position of the windows, and the amount of light coming in ;)

When in doubt, take a shot with the same settings without flash.

I prefer a studio without much daylight coming in, since that's the only way to see the modelling light well IMO.

[TMR Design]

Depends on the position of the windows, and the amount of light coming in ;)

When in doubt, take a shot with the same settings without flash.

I prefer a studio without much daylight coming in, since that's the only way to see the modelling light well IMO.

Of course René. When your modeling your subject or subject area I agree completely but if we're just discussing whether window light will affect exposure, then as I stated and you're stating as well, it's dependent on a few variables. Given generic window light that is not blazing and a subject that isn't positioned right next to that window, it's a safe bet that the window light is not going to be problematic.