Strobe/Flash Noob: What kind of setup is this? *pic*

I had the fortune of going with my buddy over to a Pro's studio. He was doing some product photos for a large magazine that shall go unnamed. Anyway, my question is, what kind of setup is this? What would happen is the 2 umbrellas would be on, along with the large overhead SB, and they were all synched, but would flash at the same time. Now would this be considered "continuous" or "strobe" lighting? .... the studio had a nice feel to it, the overhead SB was so large (a Photoflex Q3) that it gave a nice ambient light to the entire studio, so when models are being photographed, there is no squinting, etc. I wanted to be able to replicate this type of working environment, but wasn't sure how?

I know he had a PW on the 1D Mk III, and as for the actual lights.. not sure...

How did he do it? I would have asked him, but I didn't want to bother him while he was making $$

Sorry for the crappy iPhone pic.

A bit of the rigging for extra measure. He also had a 5ft octabox directly behind me for full body stuff.

The two umbrellas light the background. The big horizontal softbox also acts as main illumination through the angled white cards on the table, which serve as reflectors.

It looks like a variation of the light tent idea, but with more top lighting - to define an object in the same way a portrait photographer uses a hair light to define and highlight a person's hair.

Thanks DC Fan.

He also had a seksonic lm, which he would take 4-5 readings off the back wall, and it was like the 2 umbrellas and the SB would all flash after he pressed something on the light meter... anyone have any insight?

EDIT: I think I just answered my own question... "Sekonic RT-32 Radio Transmitter Module installs easily, enabling wireless, Selective Quad Triggering of PocketWizard-enabled electronic flash units up to 100' away"

This is 'strobe' lighting for the shot. The constant lights simply help the photographer in placement of lights or positioning the subject, so that he can view better the effects of lights upon the object being phototgraphed. The big softbox can provide highlights on the product as well as illuminating the scene...the highlights are reflections of the light source seen in surfaces of the product, the help provide better delineation of form to the viewer...glass and reflective metal both often benefit from such lighting.

Thanks Wilt, so my only question provoked from your answer is, "can you have continuous and strobe from the same light sources?" ... for some reason I was thinking they would be different types... :dunno:

Atiyeh wrote in post #6272800
Thanks Wilt, so my only question provoked from your answer is, "can you have continuous and strobe from the same light sources?" ... for some reason I was thinking they would be different types... :dunno:

Certainly! the modelling light is continuous, and if you choose to fire the strobe it is instantaneous (and overpowers the modelling light, so color balance between the two is not an issue)

You aren't forced to fire the flashtubes, you could choose to use the lights as continuous-only sources. Or not.

However, the modeling lights on strobes are not nearly as powerful as continuous lights designed to be used as the actual light source. I suspect you didn't see the photographer use the modeling lights for anything other than their intended purpose of allowing him to previsualize the image he was after. The modeling lights typically don't contribute anything to the photograph since they are normally completely overpowered by the flash.

Jim M wrote in post #6278357
However, the modeling lights on strobes are not nearly as powerful as continuous lights designed to be used as the actual light source. I suspect you didn't see the photographer use the modeling lights for anything other than their intended purpose of allowing him to previsualize the image he was after. The modeling lights typically don't contribute anything to the photograph since they are normally completely overpowered by the flash.

That makes complete sense.

Thanks for all the insight Jim

Wilt wrote in post #6273153
Certainly! the modelling light is continuous, and if you choose to fire the strobe it is instantaneous (and overpowers the modelling light, so color balance between the two is not an issue)

You aren't forced to fire the flashtubes, you could choose to use the lights as continuous-only sources. Or not.

Excellent... thanks!