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Thread started 15 Jan 2008 (Tuesday) 16:14
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Flash or lighting that is the question!

 
Chet
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Jan 15, 2008 16:14 |  #1

I'm trying to take some photographs at work and wondering what I am missing. I am using 2 flashes the 540ex and the 430ex as slave. To get rid of all shadows, do I just add more bounce cards for the flash, or do I add lighting?

I am in a warehouse type setting with dim fluorescent lighting as my only remaining light after the flashes. So in my current setting I hung bounce cards above and to the side of the object I am shooting, the 540 is on camera aimed up to the bounce card, the 430 is low and to the side to fill beneath the object.

Do I need another flash? Or do I need to add light?

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PETERSYMES
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Jan 15, 2008 17:01 |  #2

Not a bad product shot at all , depending on what you are attempting to achieve.
The Aluminium panel will be pretty unforgiving on lighting imbalances and i think you have one, perhaps from the 430 judging by the direction of the shadows on the rubber feet it looks like the 430 was located right of frame? and the area around the connectors and button brighter than the main overhead bounce, was the 430 diffused?
Easily fixed in PS though.




  
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Chet
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Jan 15, 2008 18:48 |  #3

Thanks for the input!

The 430 was diffused with a Stoffen omnibounce. And yes the 430 was sitting to the right. Guess I could try moving the 430 farther back, trying to get rid of the shadow back right but keep light under the box. Would a umbrella help? Guess I'm asking to much from 2 flashes.

The front panel is aluminum, I did not want to blow it out. Maybe I should turn both flashes down a bit. I don't like that I am stuck with a 1/200 shutter with flash, I would prefer a slower shutter.




  
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Jan 15, 2008 19:26 |  #4

very good lighting on this shot, I think a solid colour background would be better...but nice job on the lighting.


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Travisj
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Jan 15, 2008 19:52 as a reply to  @ Broncobear's post |  #5

I wish I knew more that would help but I just wanted to say, givin what you had to work with I think you did a great job.


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Chet
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Jan 16, 2008 09:08 |  #6

Maybe I will try a white background, this one does remind me of a portrait back ground. The back side is a gray I could try it also. I will try to lower the bounce cards mounted above to give me more coverage with the flash. Ultimately I am trying to achieve even lighting void of harsh shadows.

Any more help would be appreciated. And thank you for the responses so far!




  
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PETERSYMES
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Jan 16, 2008 11:08 |  #7

Often this type of Product shot would be knocked out and placed on a white or black background.
You could also place it on a blurred image of a turbine perhaps giving it context. Maybe it looks a bit stark becuase of the busy background.
Could bounce the 430 to soften the hard light on the panel or perhaps light it with tugnsten lights and adjust the colour balance to remove any cast, that way you could see in advance the light distribution.




  
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PETERSYMES
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Jan 16, 2008 11:35 |  #8

Tried a quick cut out onto black and balanced the panel lighting with layer mask in PS.
Also lightened the handle and remove some shadow from underneath with the clone tool.
Slightly sharpened and a touch of S Curve.

The picture was pretty good to start though...


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Chet
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Jan 16, 2008 12:06 as a reply to  @ PETERSYMES's post |  #9

I like how you balanced the light on the panel looks great. The black background is a bit empty to me, perhaps white.

Yes depending on how I use this shot placing it in a more descript background would help.

Lighting is new to me so I appreciate your comments and suggestions. This is the first attempt I have at lighting anything or using a backdrop. I would like to upgrade the photos our company has been using with something more professional. When I feel comfortable with my abilities I will present a sample to my employer for review.




  
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