Lighting up a windowed room???

[5D2USER]

I have a room that I want to use as an occasional "studio" (for family shots only) that already has lots of natural light. It is a 15x15 room with large open (blinds) 12x8 window. My shooting will be entirely daytime with plenty of California sunlight coming in. My question is, will a 580EXII triggering a second 430EX or 420EX be enough or should I opt for a kit like the Genesis 200 and keep the window covered?

[FlyingPhotog]

I don't know why you wouldn't want to use the natural light but...

I think you'll probably need to invest in some blackout shades for the windows.

[5D2USER]

So would it be better to use natural light along with the strobes?

[TMR Design]

If I had that kind of natural light coming in I would start by shooting with that light and some reflectors. You can create some beautiful images and great portraits with that light. I'd give it a try before introducing flash or buying strobes.

You may still want to go ahead and supplement the light but you've got the opportunity to shoot with natural light, which many of use don't have. :D

[Johnny V]

Could be like Irving Penn’s portable natural-light studio where he photographed the Mud Men of New Guinea. He had a big canvas tent with the side opening facing the north light. He supplemented the north light with a big bounce to capture more light for his subject.

Here's a shot: http://www.fraenkelgallery.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=7&a=24&p=0&at=1

[Gatorboy]

My shooting will be entirely daytime with plenty of California sunlight coming in.

Is California sunlight different than sunlight anywhere else?

If there are blinds, just close them. By shooting ISO 50; f/8; 1/200 or so, you should eliminate the ambient from hitting your subject.

[Muuraija]

Is California sunlight different than sunlight anywhere else?



It may or may not be as harsh, depending on the angle it's beating down on you. Winter sun in LA is normally brighter than winter sun in Cleveland.

[5D2USER]

Is California sunlight different than sunlight anywhere else?


Yes. It is more expensive.

[TMR Design]

The OP didn't say the light was harsh or too much. All that was stated was that there is plenty of light coming in. If that's the case I would work with that light and control it as you would any other light. Why try to keep it out or kill the ambient light?

[SuzyView]

Yes. It is more expensive.

LOL :)

Natural light is definitely preferred for me, and I like the idea of reflectors. You may just need to put a UV or CP filter on your lens and that is it. If the light is harsh, consider an off white sheet for the windows behind the subject. But I'd use that beautiful natural light as much as I can.

[Tiberius47]

Learn to balance the flash with the daylight. A very good skill to have, as far as photography goes.

[scorpio_e]

If I had that kind of natural light coming in I would start by shooting with that light and some reflectors. You can create some beautiful images and great portraits with that light. I'd give it a try before introducing flash or buying strobes.

You may still want to go ahead and supplement the light but you've got the opportunity to shoot with natural light, which many of use don't have. :D


+1 Makes sense to me:)

[Paul Li]

I'm thinking...You can use the window as the main lighting, place your subjects next to the window.

Maybe a flash bounced off the ceiling for some more fill light, or just put a big reflector next to the subject on the opposite of the window?

[TMR Design]

I'm thinking...You can use the window as the main lighting, place your subjects next to the window.

Maybe a flash bounced off the ceiling for some more fill light, or just put a big reflector next to the subject on the opposite of the window?

Adding reflectors or a large piece of foam core on the opposite side of the subject makes good sense but I wouldn't fire a light at the ceiling. That's just going to create shadows under the chin and nose. Bouncing off the ceiling is really a technique that is best used for show mount flash to avoid using direct flash.

[SuzyView]

A foam board on a lap works great for the under the chin lighting.

[TMR Design]

A foam board on a lap works great for the under the chin lighting.

Yes it does but Paul was suggesting bouncing a light off the ceiling and introducing the shadow. You can use a reflector to lift shadows under the chin buy why introduce a shadow with a ceiling bounce when there's no reason for it? With natural light on one side and a large reflector on the other, you can add more reflectors for hair and edge lighting as well as one under the chin. I just don't see the point in a ceiling bounce.

[5D2USER]

Adding reflectors or a large piece of foam core on the opposite side of the subject makes good sense but I wouldn't fire a light at the ceiling. That's just going to create shadows under the chin and nose. Bouncing off the ceiling is really a technique that is best used for show mount flash to avoid using direct flash.


The ceiling is 15 feet high and has plenty of angles. Its an emplty formal dining room.

[TMR Design]

The ceiling is 15 feet high and has plenty of angles. Its an emplty formal dining room.

That's cool. I still don't see the point in a ceiling bounce. You've got plenty of natural light and the ability to place reflectors for fill, hair light, edge and accent lights. What would be the point in bouncing off the ceiling. It will introduce shadows that are typically undesirable in portraiture.

I think you've got a great space that presents some great opportunities for shooting with natural light. I would take advantage of that.

[m3rdpwr]

Some of my best pictures were with just a window light and in some cases, a piece of cardboard lined with tin foil.

Studio lights have confused me. lol

Ahhhhh, the simpler days... :)

-Mario

[Gatorboy]

It may or may not be as harsh, depending on the angle it's beating down on you. Winter sun in LA is normally brighter than winter sun in Cleveland.

Please tell me you are joking and don't actually believe this.

The sun is 93 million miles away, and it shines on earth with the same intensity and brightness everywhere ... and over the course of a year, everyplace on earth averages 12 hours of sunlight a day.

[springer]

Please tell me you are joking and don't actually believe this.

The sun is 93 million miles away, and it shines on earth with the same intensity and brightness everywhere ... and over the course of a year, everyplace on earth averages 12 hours of sunlight a day.


Sorry to get off topic, but I believe Muuraija is referring to the angle of the sun during winter. During winter in LA (lower latitude) the sun will be higher in the horizon than Cleveland (greater latitude). When the sun is lower on the horizon, the light is passing through more atmosphere, which makes it slightly less intense.

Luke

[Tiberius47]

Th best reflectors in terms of portability and price are the reflectors you buy for car windscreens. They fold up nice, they are silver on one side and white on the other. And they are nice and cheap. You can get one for just a buck or so.

[Digital_zen]

I'm with most others here, in that I believe that if you have a great window for window light portraits, not taking advantage of it would be such a waste.
If there is a lot foliage or a big red sign or something throwing off your color just set your WB based on a white paper or gray card. If you want really soft light throw a white sheer or maybe even something as thick as a white bedsheet over the window.
Position yourself to one end of the window, where the window and wall meet, put your subject(s) in front of the window about 45 degrees out from you. Have your subject(s) look back toward you. This will give you a good modeling light, but you may want to use a reflector to the darker side to bring the shadows back up a little.
If you want more of a flat light just move yourself closer to the center of the window, and have your subject(s) turn to face more toward the window. You can then use a reflector or even a mirror to bounce some light in from behind your subject(s) for hair or rim light.

[F4 Cyborg]

+++++++ 1 to the three hundredth power squared <(times Pie):cool:, for window light. Reflectors (white, gold, silver) to suit the look you want. Add a light meter to fine tune and you now have what photographers try to do with flash and/or strobe.
Set's placed and timed for the Sun's light has been and still is a basis for Photographers.
If I could plan my shoots to use the SUN, with a few reflector's and a smidgen of fill flash, I'd be one happy camper with client's to match.
IF you have window light and the space to use it, Your lucky.
Some of use rent spaces like that when we can, it's hard to beat.

[KenVP]

Yes. It is more expensive.


That takes the best response of the day!!!

[Muuraija]

Sorry to get off topic, but I believe Muuraija is referring to the angle of the sun during winter. During winter in LA (lower latitude) the sun will be higher in the horizon than Cleveland (greater latitude). When the sun is lower on the horizon, the light is passing through more atmosphere, which makes it slightly less intense.

Luke


Thank you for clarifying that.

Stephen

[airfrogusmc]

I didn't read all of this thread (sorry) but in the old days many portrait studios in the northern hemisphere had glass walls on the north side of the building. This is because the north side (depending on how far north you are of course)of a building only gets direct sun maybe a few weeks of the year and all but a couple of weeks it is only in the early AM and late afternoon. If you are getting direct sun (not a north window) its not very desirable light for portraits. Its way to harsh so if its not a north window invest in some decent lights and modifiers.