Studio photography lighting.

Tlee05 · 11th of July 2010 (Sun)

I have picked up a small job in a local studio doing some product photography.
I normally only used strobes myself and bring in my own kit but I would rather not use mine.
I have had a look at there set up they use:

2x"Elemental" 1000 watt continuous lights both have 24x24 softboxes.
They also have a white backdrop.
Grey low ceiling and two white walls either side.
The space is around 8ft wide which is very tight for the bigger products and 16ft back.
I'm wondering what the best way to white wash the background out while keeping the lighting on the product fairly.

Would you shoot one at full power onto the ceiling?
Another one at half power positioned on the left side of the product and a reflector the right side.

Just wondering how you would do it?

Mike · 12th of July 2010 (Mon)

I've not done any studio work but if it were me I wouldn't bounce one off the ceiling - that is a small flash trick do diffuse the light - they have softboxes so the light produced from them should be nice and diffuse anyway. I'd position the heads either side of the products you are shooting and slightly in front.

Tlee05 · 13th of July 2010 (Tue)

If the heads are eitherside of the products the background wont be white washed thats the only problem.

Kannon · 23rd of July 2010 (Fri)

Is that just glossy poster board under a pane of glass?

GregBrave · 26th of July 2010 (Mon)

It is hard for me to visualize your work space, but if you can try to put one light behind the product facing the background directly (so that it wouldn't be seen in the frame of course) and give it full power. If you notice that the product's edges suffer from it, reduce the light power of that light until you are satisfied with the results.

TeeJay · 19th of August 2010 (Thu)

It may help if you give us some idea as to *what* you will be shooting?

If it's *small* products - then you won't be using a wall as a backdrop anyway - the products will be on a "product table" with suitable paper background - and may even be inside a Light Tent.

More info = more help!

TJ

11th of July 2010 (Sun)	#1
Tlee05 "Suck these toes" Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,134 IMAGE EDITING OK	Studio photography lighting. I have picked up a small job in a local studio doing some product photography. I normally only used strobes myself and bring in my own kit but I would rather not use mine. I have had a look at there set up they use: 2x"Elemental" 1000 watt continuous lights both have 24x24 softboxes. They also have a white backdrop. Grey low ceiling and two white walls either side. The space is around 8ft wide which is very tight for the bigger products and 16ft back. I'm wondering what the best way to white wash the background out while keeping the lighting on the product fairly. Would you shoot one at full power onto the ceiling? Another one at half power positioned on the left side of the product and a reflector the right side. Just wondering how you would do it? __________________ "The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer." "Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet"

12th of July 2010 (Mon)	#2
Mike ugly when I'm sober Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sandwich UK...the place, not the food! Posts: 14,913 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Studio photography lighting. I've not done any studio work but if it were me I wouldn't bounce one off the ceiling - that is a small flash trick do diffuse the light - they have softboxes so the light produced from them should be nice and diffuse anyway. I'd position the heads either side of the products you are shooting and slightly in front. __________________ www.mikegreenphotography.co.uk Gear UK South Easterners flickr Blog 5∞px Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? ::: A closed mouth gathers no foot.

13th of July 2010 (Tue)	#3
Tlee05 "Suck these toes" Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,134 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Studio photography lighting. If the heads are eitherside of the products the background wont be white washed thats the only problem. __________________ "The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer." "Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet"

23rd of July 2010 (Fri)	#4
Kannon Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 80	Re: Studio photography lighting. Is that just glossy poster board under a pane of glass?

26th of July 2010 (Mon)	#5
GregBrave Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 62	Re: Studio photography lighting. It is hard for me to visualize your work space, but if you can try to put one light behind the product facing the background directly (so that it wouldn't be seen in the frame of course) and give it full power. If you notice that the product's edges suffer from it, reduce the light power of that light until you are satisfied with the results. __________________ My photo-blog: PhotoPathway.com My Portfolio: Greg's Portfolio

19th of August 2010 (Thu)	#6
TeeJay Goldmember Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warwickshire - UK Posts: 3,818	Re: Studio photography lighting. It may help if you give us some idea as to what you will be shooting? If it's small products - then you won't be using a wall as a backdrop anyway - the products will be on a "product table" with suitable paper background - and may even be inside a Light Tent. More info = more help! TJ __________________ 1DsMkIII \| 1DMkIIN \| 20D + grip \| 70-200 f/2.8L IS \| 24-70 f/2.8L \| 17-40 f/4L \| 50 f/1.2L \| WFT-E1 & E2 Transmitters - Click Here for setup advice \| CP-E4 Battery Pack x 2 \| ST-E2 \| 580EX \| 550EX \| 420EX \| Tripod + monopod \| Bowens Esprit Gemini 500W/s heads & Travel-Pak \| All this gear - and still no idea

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