Octa and Deep octa Together

[[godfather]]

I have twi octas right now, on 53" Octa and second 39" deep octa.

I have a shoot tomorrow, I was wandering if I can use both the Octas at the same time.

May be one for main light and one for fill?

Any suggestions?

[TMR Design]

Sure, why not? Depending on the size of the subject area and the amount of contrast desired you could use either one at either position. Personally, I love nice large fill sources so I would use the Deep Octa as the main and the 53" Octa as fill.

This is where some experimentation and preference come in to play. Don't be afraid to try different setups to discover and explore lighting styles. Regardless of what others say or recommend, it has to work for you and for the particular shot.

[[godfather]]

I have plan to use Deep octa as a main light on either left orr right side of the Subject for full body shot and the 53" octa on the other side as a fill.

How good is that? Also, will Deep Octa would have to placed at more distance as compared to 53" as its size is small?

[TMR Design]

If you place the fill on the other side you're very likely to get somewhat flat lighting and/or shadows from cross lighting.

The better and more appropriate placement for your fill source is at camera position. Since having it right on the lenses axis will force you to block that light you can either place the light slightly above the camera or slightly or axis to the opposite side of the main light, but only as much as it needs to be.

You don't want to place the main and fill symmetrically with respect to the subject. That is not the correct way to use a fill light.

[[godfather]]

Ok You mean if I have placed Deep Octa on right side of me/camera, then Octa is need to placed behind me, at an elevation?

A diagrom or something would help me to learn better :)

[Jannie]

I generally use the 53" octa for the key, a 48" Lastolight tri-grip for the fill and a deep octa for a hair/backlight.

[TMR Design]

;8041691']Ok You mean if I have placed Deep Octa on right side of me/camera, then Octa is need to placed behind me, at an elevation?

A diagrom or something would help me to learn better :)

Hi Aman,

This is an illustration of a 2 light portrait setup with main and fill at standard positions. This is a guideline and an anchor point so there's nothing that says you can't change or adapt to your liking.

The fill behind the camera is placed just high enough to that you (the photographer) are not blocking it. When I use this orientation I have the modifier just above the camera and once I focus and compose I step to the side and use a remote shutter release.

When I position the fill to the side of the camera I do the same thing. It's just off axis enough so that the camera, me and/or the tripod are not blocking the light but as close to the lens' axis as possible.

[[godfather]]

Great Rob, I got that. I will try this. But just a question, if using this setup, wont the lower body be underexposed?

[[godfather]]

bump.. :D

[TMR Design]

;8042419']Great Rob, I got that. I will try this. But just a question, if using this setup, wont the lower body be underexposed?

Depending on the placement of the fill and the type of shot (headshot, 1/2, 3/4, full length) then yes, the lower body certainly could be underexposed. That is why lighting diagrams can only be used as a reference but they are not the 'Bible' and you have to apply them correctly to the application.

In the case of a full length shot, if you were using a powered light source for fill then you would want to position the light and modifier to the side of the lens rather than above it. Then again, the underexposure might be fine, OR, the light from the main light source may be properly exposing the lower body or exposing it to your liking and the fill may be lifting shadows on the face, chin and neck as necessary.

My preference is to use a large white, silver or soft gold (combination of silver and gold) reflector as a fill source so I can work it close to the subject and return light to the entire length of the body. I really love reflectors and in many instances I'll choose one before a powered source. When used correctly, reflectors are powerful modifiers that can give you a lot of control.

I great exercise for learning to use reflectors is to set up a main light with a modifier and the use a reflector for fill, a reflector for hair light and another as an accent or edge light. It can be very frustrating but it really tests your skills. :D

[[godfather]]

Great Rob, thanx for detailed reply. I will see what I can do and what I will do.