A Much Welcomed Addition ...

Greetings everyone,

I hope everyone's days and nights have been filled with wonderful captures. On this end, I decided to venture into the world of studio lighting (after 6 years) . Being new to this I really didn't know which way to go, so I researched and the following is what I came up with.

I ordered 2 AlienBee 800 units with light-stands and umbrellas (second will arrive later this evening). I also ordered a Sekonic (sp) light meter. After reading the instructions, I decided to give it a shot (no pun intended). One thing I should point out is everything up until now has been just shooting with my Canon 580EX and a light-sphere on top. Well, this year I decided to try the world of studio lighting and meter using a light/incident meter as opposed to the camera's reflective metering source.

Below is an image of my wife. Please note this is a practice shot, in no way professional grade stuff as I'm merely testing the waters.

This was captured with a single AB800 light reflected (I haven't tried shooting through the translucent umbrella yet) and a black large cloth hanging in the background.

Later on this evening when my second Bee arrives I will try additional shots using both of them. Although I did read somewhere that one can't shoot two AlienBees with different power levels -- which highly disturbs me.

Any tips, advice, suggestions or the like will be most humbly appreciated. This is a new venture for me and although I like it -- I still have much to learn.

Regards,
Dave

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DOrtiz wrote in post #11265355
Later on this evening when my second Bee arrives I will try additional shots using both of them. Although I did read somewhere that one can't shoot two AlienBees with different power levels -- which highly disturbs me.

As someone who used to own a pair of B800s, you certainly can shoot both at different power levels simultaneously. Don't misunderstand the whole color inconsistency thing. Yes, they do vary from strobe to strobe and in my case also from shot to shot.

But (I think) at your level (you said starting out and testing the waters with studio strobes), it shouldn't matter as much. At least not yet. So don't put that thought in your head. Just have fun and learn with what you already bought. When you start experiencing certain things that you feel your B800s aren't capable of, then you can start worrying.

You already bought them, so you might as well enjoy them.

I would say that you are off to a good start. It is easy to get pulled in to the swamp of buying the latest gear just for the heck of it. I have found that I can get by with two AB800's and some speed lights. The photo you posted is a great start. I would guess your next steps might be to add some lighting modifiers to work with the lighting solutions you have.

Your gear should get you off to a great start.

110yd

Hi Dave,
Good to hear from you again. Looks like you are off to a good start. Your thread here just might trigger the usual "OMG why did you buy those lights you can't use them at different power settings and your shots are going to have a magenta cast....etc".

Don't get too terribly sucked into that whole discussion. For starters, what I would do, is play around with your lights at all different settings and try to get a feel for the whole concept of this new world of lighting. You are going to love it, and you will find that it opens up many creative opportunities that you may not have had previously.

Later on, once you get some of the basics figured out, you can start thinking about and dealing with the small nuances that go along with this kind of lighting. Honestly, there are issues to deal with in this arena, no matter what brand, and there are differences ( advantages/disadvantag​es ) even when comparing what you have ( monolights ) vs pack and head systems.

Again...great to see you posting again, and looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

I think you are off to a good start and has already been said you can certainly shoot the strobes at different power settings. The only things is that Bees do tend to color shift at the lower power settings so you might see a bit of this but it should not stop you from doing it. Another plus is you got a light meter so you will really be able to know what you are doing in regards to setting ratios and controlling ambient and flash. Welcome to a whole new world.

Hey everyone .. THANKS so much for your valued feedback and warm welcome. UPS just dropped off my second AB800 so it's not setup yet (was outside cutting the grass).

I really have to tell you guys this is a whole new world for me (as someone posted above). However, one thing I did notice, I had no color balance correction at post with the images of my wife. The strobe was set to 1/2 on the slider because she was all but 5 to 6 feet from me. I suppose that's a good thing, but coming from someone who shot Christmas parties with my Canon 580EX and a Gary Fong Light Sphere ... this is a whole new world.

I purchased a digital back-drop for the Holidays and intend to experiment with it. Well, I'm off to the shower, then dinner with the family a movie and then read-read-read and practice. I'll post some shots, and won't take honest and constructive critique personal -- as I always welcome constructive criticism with open arms.

Thanks again,
Dave

Just like the rule of thirds ...

Hey guys!!

Getting ready to setup the second AB800. Is it traditional that the second unit (one main second fill) be set at a lower power level? Looks like I'll only have a two-light setup for now as my funds have been exhausted.

Any suggestions on a two light configuration for the best effect, such as position (angle 45' 80' etc.), height, and power? Just looking for the basic rule that I can work from.

Thanks everyone.

Regareds,
Dave

Dave,
There is some good technique discussed here:

http://www.prophotolif​e.com/video-library/

Hi George!!!

Thanks for the link. I looked around and discovered the basic "one light" setup for portrait shooting. He demonstrated the different angles (very informative), and the effects they have when using reflectors. Although I couldn't find anything that deals with two lights -- that link was most helpful, thanks again.

George (or anyone else), do you know what the best format is for shooting Christmas portraits of two people or more in front of Christmas backdrop? I ask because I read somewhere subjects should never stand against the backdrop --instead, they should be at least 3 ft in front of it. Odd, because I'd like to capture the backdrop scene, not blur it out.

Also, how do you feel about subject coverage? By this I mean, should we go head/shoulder, 1/2 body, 3/4 or full body shots? I was leaning toward 3/4 body for mid thigh area. Anyone have a link with x-mas portraits I can preview for guidance?

Sorry if all this sounds rudimentary but as I said, this is all new to me and having a basic starting point will greatly help me in evolving from there.

Thanks again,
Dave

Hey Guys!

Are folks here trustworthy? I just posted in the For Sale area my two lenses which I'm selling. They are the Canon 17-40 f/4L and the Canon 50 f/1.4 prime. Both are in MINT condition and I'm seeling for $700.00 shipped. Only reason is because I just purchased the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L and feel I won't need these anymore for what I shoot. I purchased the 17-40 f/4L because I needed it in the 40D's 1.6 crop, but now with the FF 5DMK2 24 is actually 24, compared to 27 on a 40D with the 17mm.

Nonetheless, I'm getting slammed with PM of folks interested to buy them but I'm afriad I'll get burned. Has anyone sold here before, and if so .. should I be looking at buys who have been members here for a while, etc.?

Any help will be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

Hey Dave I just saw your Sell ad, those prices are amazing , a little below market value so they should go soon,thus the ton of PM's , If you use Paypal you don't ship until you get paid easy as that, that method of payment is used mostly. For the most part everyone is pretty trustworthy on here.

Good luck to you

DOrtiz wrote in post #11272019
Hey Guys!

Are folks here trustworthy? I just posted in the For Sale area my two lenses which I'm selling. They are the Canon 17-40 f/4L and the Canon 50 f/1.4 prime. Both are in MINT condition and I'm seeling for $700.00 shipped. Only reason is because I just purchased the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L and feel I won't need these anymore for what I shoot. I purchased the 17-40 f/4L because I needed it in the 40D's 1.6 crop, but now with the FF 5DMK2 24 is actually 24, compared to 27 on a 40D with the 17mm.

Nonetheless, I'm getting slammed with PM of folks interested to buy them but I'm afriad I'll get burned. Has anyone sold here before, and if so .. should I be looking at buys who have been members here for a while, etc.?

Any help will be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

You are getting a lot of responses, because you have very good prices. I have bought and sold a bunch of stuff here without any issues. I would try to stick with active members with feedback. You can search the feedback link in the marketplace forum for the user.

Also, talk to them on the phone if you want to feel better. I would recommend only shipping to their paypal address and get delivery confirmation and insurance on the package.

Trust your gut.

OK, thanks Duane.