could use some advice on 3-light setup

archer1960 wrote in post #12447052
If you want to make the background less distracting, you should probably be making it LESS in focus, not more, but I don't have a problem with it the way it is now.

So you're think more along the lines of going with f/4 instead of f/5.6 right?

Can you share how you made your snoot? Tnx!

airshaq20 wrote in post #12447252
Can you share how you made your snoot? Tnx!

I went to Michael's craft store and purchased one sheet of black foam for 99 cents. I then shaped it into a cone, just enough so that the larger hole fit snug over the outer rim of the light. I then temporarily used gaffer tape in three places to hold it in that position so when I removed it it wouldn't unravel. I then used velcro roll to locate two anchor points (on the foam sheet, not the light) where I could adhere the velcro to. Once I did that and the cone was secure, I trimmed off the excess foam that was sticking out of the large opening so that it looked completely round and fit nicely over the light's outer ring.

Now all I have to do every time is first secure the sheet around the light's outer ring with the velcro adhered to the sheet. Then cinch it down nicely and connect the other strip of velcro which is closer to the smaller opening.

It does the job, but no way can you use the modeling lamp. That's why I ordered a snoot today (to be used at a future date).

I'll post pics of the sheet tonight so you can see where I made the cut and where I put the velcro straps.

PhoenixPhotography wrote in post #12446895
I believe you are off to a great start. I would like to see a little more fill in the shadow area of your face. Possibly bring the reflector in a little closer or change the angle a bit. A lot of times when I am shooting and get a shadow such as this I have a 4th head (AB400) that I will set up on a short stand turned all the way down with a 40 degree grid. That will add great fill exactly where you want it. You could also experiment a little bit with head position. Something else I would try, put your background light directly behind you angled up just a touch. This will give you a more even penumbra (I believe that is the correct term).

Well said.
BG light directly behind angled up!
Placing the BG light to the side would work for a half lit BG effect though.
You may also consider throwing you hair light up really high and directly opposite your main. What you have going looks like an intense rim lighting, not hair lighting.

I have found, for what I like, that having my hair light the same as my main works well for me most of the time. BUT, my hair light is usually straight through grid with no mods, and my main is usually a 64" socked PLM.

Here's some zamples...
NOTE: In #2 the whole lighting setup is backwards according to the part in her hair in my opinion, but you can still see what I mean:


Butterfly lighting with hair light camera right. Hair light is pretty subtle I think:

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Very impressive shots. I don't think I'll ever be able to achieve this. What I wouldn't do to spend an hour with someone that produces this type of work.

Kechar wrote in post #12447399
BG light directly behind angled up!

With just a plain 'ol deflector dish that came with the light? I have no grids or anything like that yet so I won't be able to prevent spill.

Kechar wrote in post #12447399
You may also consider throwing you hair light up really high and directly opposite your main. What you have going looks like an intense rim lighting, not hair lighting.

Fair enough. So you're thinking I should set it up like I had in my original setup? See photos from original post. I'm just afraid to set it any higher than I have it now (or had it originally). The boom starts to bend at a certain point and I'm afraid it will have a permanent bend. On top of that I'm afraid the whole stand may tip over. Is my stand not good enough? I thought it was when I bought it (Manfrotto 420B). Or is it that my light is just too heavy? The Genesis 200 is really a light for cash-strapped newbies like myself. The strip box and grid certainly add some weight to it all.

LOL thank you sooooo much!!! I never owned a single light before March of this year. I just read read read and read and followed what others were doing. I have soooo much more to learn!!!

Your hair light looks like a strip box, which would make sense that it shines like a rim light I think.

In pic #1 that I posted I have an AB400 with a 20deg grid I think and partially gelled blue (gel didn't cover the whole light) sitting on a floor stand 2 inches off the ground pointed up to create that BG light.

That pic of you is fine, just adjust some powers really. Your fill needs to come up and your hair light needs to go down in power. That setup will be sweet with just those adjustments.

As a change you could keep the hair light where it is, move the BG light low directly behind subject, move the main to within 12" on the subject at a 45 deg angle pointing down at subject, throw the reflector in the subject's lap and make sure it fills neck area well...pow...butterfly setup! Only thing to tweak really, besides the powers of each light, is the placement of the BG light so it's right behind subject's head and looks nice.


EDIT: You can shoot the BG with the snoot, try it with the stock reflector, try it all...you'll find something that works!

Kechar wrote in post #12447567
LOL thank you sooooo much!!! I never owned a single light before March of this year. I just read read read and read and followed what others were doing. I have soooo much more to learn!!!

BTW...did you shoot those with your 50 f1.4?

And how did you achieve that solid black background ?

Either that or my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 which I use most in the studio because of size constraints.