Questions tagged [studio-lighting]

From simple to complicated setups, if it involves the techniques and equipment necessary to artificially light objects or people within the studio environment, it is generally considered to be studio lighting.

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Why are professional flashes so expensive?

I need a high energy flash, very bright with a relatively long pulse duration otherwise my short exposure time photos have half of the image dark, because the light pulse has ended before the ...
Blue7's user avatar
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3 votes
4 answers
1k views

How to configure Canon EOS 550D for dumb strobe lights?

I got a pair of "no name" strobe lights with a simple hot-shoe trigger and trying to use it with EOS 550D. Although it seems to work at first glance (strobes fire when shutter is triggered) in fact ...
MLu's user avatar
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1 answer
244 views

Can I use auto exposure with studio lights?

I was recently given a pair of older studio lights complete with softboxes and a basic hot-shoe trigger. I have zero experience with studio lights I admit. I intend to use it with my Canon EOS 550D. ...
MLu's user avatar
  • 235
1 vote
1 answer
459 views

How were these portraits of Trent Reznor lit and shot?

I'm trying to figure out how the lighting and camera settings were configured for these two portraits. I'm also curious if / how this could be replicated with amateur equipment (eg. not tens of ...
redlamp's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
323 views

Does flash tube size matter for studio lighting?

I'm trying to buy a set of studio strobes, but the ones available to me have a rather small flash tube, being 400W (FotoBestWay) and 300W (Godox) units. But in the past I have worked with 200W units ...
Jahaziel's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
230 views

How can I further decrease the exposure in a studio environment?

I was trying a few things yesterday involving a studio backdrop which was lit using a grid to provide a gradient effect and a subject about 3ft in front of it, with its own lighting through umbrellas. ...
connersz's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
11k views

What are the connectors like on a "standard light stand"?

I am trying to buy some equipment for placing a camera and some lighting over my desktop. And having no physical shops in range and no friends or places to go and ask, all my "research" is via the ...
Mads Skjern's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
323 views

Is Cowboystudio 4 channel remote trigger compatible with Canon 60d?

The trigger's test button works with my two studio strobe flashes, so i know it's not the flash system. In my settings under flash control, flash fire is enabled, when i click on built in flash it ...
jmarie's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
621 views

Who was the first to introduce a beauty dish?

Who and when first introduced or used a beauty dish? Also known as a softlight reflector. There's a lot of articles on the net on how to use a beauty dish, and on how it is important for fashion and ...
sanmai's user avatar
  • 168
4 votes
2 answers
767 views

Will two lights plus octaboxes be a good starter setup for portrait photography, or can I get away with one umbrella?

I want to step into studio lightning for portraits and I'm searching for a good setup. Is it a good option to buy two flashes and octa-boxes (one from left and one from the right) or should one ...
fubo's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
1k views

How can I avoid light bleed in a studio shot?

I have a simple white backdrop setup with two off camera flashes setup. One flash is pointed directly at the background to overexpose it to white. The other flash is off camera to the right, shooting ...
dpollitt's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
658 views

22-inch Beauty Dish with speedlight?

I've seen 22-inch beauty dishes used with Canon speedlights for portraits. However I'm not sure if a single speedlight is powerful enough for a large beauty dish. Should I be using it with a monolight ...
dperry1973's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
154 views

What modifiers and workflow should I use to light a hand-painted muslin background?

I'm taking self-portraits using Yongnuo speedlights as my lighting. I would like to light the background for better separation. I tried using a bare flash at 1⁄32 power at 85mm, but the falloff is too ...
dperry1973's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
249 views

Simplest setup for photographing large woodflooring panels indoors

I am trying work out the setup for photographing large (2 x 6 foot) panels of woodflooring samples. I have experience photographing 3d work, as an sculptor, but am being challenged by glare/even-...
birchbark's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
107 views

What's the best workflow for shooting stationary objects in a makeshift studio?

I have bought the following kit to shoot my portfolio which consists of mostly books and posters: Super White Background + 2 strobes 100 watts each with softboxes https://docs.google.com/...
Pedro's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
14k views

What are the 5 basic lighting setups used in studio portrait photography?

In this great answer, the person explains “one of the 5 basic lighting setups used in studio portrait photography”—Rembrandt lighting. What are the other four? Where should they be used? What are ...
Arseni Mourzenko's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Does it matter to put grid before or after sock/diffuser?

I always thought that if I use a grid on a softbox with a diffuser, or beauty dish with the sock on, then it is necessary to put the grid only after the diffuser/sock. Otherwise, the grid has no ...
igorp1024's user avatar
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3 votes
5 answers
3k views

Why would you have a light meter chose your aperture for you?

The title of my question may seem misleading; I don't intend to ask how a proper exposure is calculated. I know the exposure triangle of ISO, aperture and shutter speed. But in several articles I'...
user74091's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
407 views

What's the best way to use a flash and colour gel as a back light?

I want to know what is the best way of setting up a background flash with a coloured gel in a studio setting. I had a play around with this on Saturday. I started with a white background infinity ...
connersz's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can studio light be as good as sunlight?

I am currently digitalizing some family albums. I was told the best source of light is daylight, so I've been using that as a light source. However, this restricts me to specific hours of the day, ...
Joachim's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
451 views

How do I attach a softbox to a rectangular fluorescent head?

I'm planning to buy my first lighting set, and I've decided to buy the following piece of gear Problem is, as I have no experience with lighting, I'm kinda confused with one thing (will it be ...
C-Blu's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
1 answer
7k views

What studio strobes do I need for portraits and group portraits indoor and outdoors [closed]

I have no idea on what strobes brand and watt seconds to buy. I am going to split this question into three parts. what I want to photograph and were, equipment options, & equipment questions ...
alex's user avatar
  • 21
3 votes
2 answers
363 views

Most effective directed speedlight diffusers?

Since I have a wireless flash I figured I may as well get a tripod adapter and some sort of diffuser so I can supplement strobes, and especially use it off-camera at locations I wouldn't haul ...
feetwet's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Product Photography: White object on white background producing white halo

I'm very new to product photography and would like any newbie advice to the following problem: I have a basic light setup with 4 florescent lights with umbrellas with a white muslin cloth backdrop. ...
Ryan's user avatar
  • 143
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to get beautiful even and soft lighting on face?

How do I get bright even and soft light on a face like this? Image taken from this link I got the exact same equipment but I wasn't able to reproduce the result. First I tried lighting it from ...
erotsppa's user avatar
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11 votes
7 answers
10k views

How does TTL flash work when there are multiple flashes?

I've been watching a lot of deconstructing videos on how the light is setup. Often times there are 2-3 flashes at the studio. The photographer will say that they are all set to TTL. But how does that ...
erotsppa's user avatar
  • 3,288
2 votes
1 answer
672 views

How much fluorescent/CFL power do I need?

I'm thinking of buying one of the cheap continuous lighting kits, specifically with softboxes or shoot-through umbrellas. I'm experienced with strobes, but I only used to use the professional grade ...
Rollo R's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
461 views

Does Amazon's patent of the photography studio have any meaning for us?

Amazon patented the photography studio with a trivial setup. This is an example of patenting something everybody knows about, which the patent applicant did not invent, and which is in use in lots of ...
Jasmine's user avatar
  • 1,085
2 votes
2 answers
291 views

Relevance of absolute light power in studio object photography?

While setting up a photo studio for product photography, I often read advice that suggests that one needs extremely strong light sources (1–10 kw total) if shooting without flashlights. I fully ...
Zsolt Szilagy's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Product photography, wine bottles, recommended light setup on a budget

I am looking to create a shooting environment for product photography, particularly wine and beer bottles. I understand that this type of photography is very difficult to get good results and ...
pessato's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
2 answers
976 views

Why pay for specialist studio photography lighting aka strobes when you can use continuous light sources which are more powerful and cheaper? [duplicate]

I am new to strobes (studio lighting) in photography. I love the idea of blowing out the background, or making the image very emotive, with a dark black background for sports portraits. However I am ...
yoshiserry's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
536 views

Can I safely trigger a Speedotron D1204LV power pack with a Pocket Wizard Plus III?

I recently acquired some 10+ year-old studio strobes, the Speedotron D1204LV with four heads. On the power pack is a sticker indicating that the trigger voltage is 6 volts. I'm interested in getting ...
JYelton's user avatar
  • 115
2 votes
4 answers
3k views

Small bedroom studio, what type of lighting for portraits?

I have a study which I use for a studio. Effective space is about 6x9 feet. Celling hight is only 7.5 feet tall. I usually take portraits (mostly self portraits) in the studio. Walls are white and the ...
dperry1973's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
5k views

Is the Deflector Plate recommended when using a Westcott Rapid Box with the cover on?

I recently added a Westcott Rapid Box 10"×24" Strip to my setup, and am really happy with how it lives up to the "rapid" name, and when in use takes up a lot less area in my cramped working space. I'm ...
mattdm's user avatar
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1 vote
7 answers
3k views

What would be the right way to shoot a portrait in a very dark room with flash?

I have several flash units. Both the shoe-mount type and the "studio" type. The portrait has to be taken in a room that happens to not have windows. It is always dark in there. I can bring a light ...
angel rojas's user avatar
  • 1,141
20 votes
5 answers
9k views

How can I photograph a reflective convex cylindrical trophy without reflections?

What I need to do: Take a standard "Product Shot" of an old trophy/cup with writing on that doesn't look a complete mess thanks to reflections What I have available to do it: Two radio triggered ...
Synchronium's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
4k views

How to calculate stops for a Watt based strobe?

I've a problem figuring out how to calculate stops for Interfit EXD 400. In the product manual it says that the strobe has 5 stop range in 1/10 stop increments, but the numbers displayed on the strobe ...
K'''s user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
3k views

How do you disassemble chimera lightbank?

I can't take this thing apart.... does anyone know how? This belongs to my photographer but he is away...
ytk's user avatar
  • 121
6 votes
5 answers
2k views

How can I best photograph white powder so I can later cut it out of the background but keep natural shadows?

I need to photograph white powder in a circle shape and still retain the shadow. I've tried photographing on different coloured backgrounds as shooting on white is too tricky to cut out. The ...
Richard Skins's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
792 views

Tips for shooting playing cards?

I would like to shoot playing cards (a deck of 60 cards and a big deck of 120 cards) and have questions regarding lighting and composition: What are good camera angles? Would you lay them flat on a ...
chiborg's user avatar
  • 271
1 vote
1 answer
368 views

What is the color shift between Alien Bees b800 and Elinchrom Rx 600 lights?

I have a shoot coming up at a rental studio where they provide Alien Bees b800(s). To supplement I'm bringing one of my Elinchrom lights for a key. Anyone know what to expect in terms of color shift ...
Robert Lowdon's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
328 views

What TECHNICAL aspects of STUDIO photography do I need to know as a professional? [closed]

Even if it's basic I want to know! So for example, what technical things do I need to know about the camera, what technical things do I need to know about lighting and exposure? Anything you think I ...
Timmykat Tovey's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
404 views

Is it more cost-effective to build a home studio piecemeal or buy a lighting kit?

I am transforming a basement room into a photo studio. I will be doing people portraits and using backdrops. I plan on trying many different shots... from high key to low light bodyscapes. From what ...
kacalapy's user avatar
  • 7,884
1 vote
2 answers
385 views

Anyone have any idea how I can recreate this sort of lighting/color?

This is a shot by Ben Hassett, he doesn't use much photoshop as he generally tries to stick to traditional photographic methods when working. Ive been trying to figure out what sort of lighting/...
Simon Hickson's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
122 views

few questions about the ezybox 24"

I have a t3i and bought a pair of yn-622c and I wanted to buy a 430ex ii as well as a lastolite ezybox softbox 24x24". I've read that the flash + yn combo might be too high in order to point the ...
user13074's user avatar
  • 163
1 vote
2 answers
301 views

Light source types and which ones to use

There are not too much info on light source types. Basically there are continuous/halogen and flash lights. When do we choose which one? About continuous/flash lights, when do we use an black/...
Kursat's user avatar
  • 719
0 votes
1 answer
612 views

Which wireless triggers are recommended for Bowens Gemin 200/200?

The title says all. I am new to studio light photography and I am looking for a wireless trigger I can use with these monolights. Can you make any ...
zzzbbx's user avatar
  • 1,847
2 votes
1 answer
702 views

Is the Bowens Gemini 200 adequate for studio photography at 3-5 meters, or do I need the 400?

I'm interested about buying an entry level studio lighting kit. I read very good reviews about Bowens Gemini 200 and 400. When I do studio photography I normally shoot about 3-5 meters apart from the ...
zzzbbx's user avatar
  • 1,847
1 vote
3 answers
4k views

Is the Yongnuo YN-622C transceiver compatible with the Alien Bee 800?

I am thinking about buying a second hand AlienBee 800. I currently have a pair of Yongnuo YN-622C Wireless TTL Flash Triggers for Canon. Would they be compatible with the AlienBee?
zzzbbx's user avatar
  • 1,847
5 votes
2 answers
776 views

Small Studio/Objects Containing White : Getting A Pure White Background

This is a question that pops up occasionally, and I wanted to ask it a bit differently because this is an issue 1) that lots of people have; and 2) is a bit different from working with clearly defined ...
Steve Ross's user avatar
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