Studio Photography (no post processing)

Continuous lighting source

I have to say before we start, having control over your own lighting environment may sound easy but in practice its a lot more difficult than you think. Getting use to the environmental props, lighting and of course the safety issues can be a bit of a minefield at first but eventually it becomes a fun and rewarding place to take images, Lets see how I got on!

The Redhead.

The Redhead light uses a high wattage halogen lamp, caution must be taken with this type as operating temperatures can be high and the risk of the potential shattering of the lamp and the high temperature of the casing should be noted. 

Red head halogen lighting 

Red Head (Wide setting)

The Red Head lighting involves a enclosed Halogen lighting source, in this case incorporating a barn door reflector.

1/60 sec, 75mm focal length, ISO200,  f/5.6

Considering that this was my first effort at studio I was quite pleased, thanks to George. I continued with the Red Head to see what other results could be achieved.... .

1/60 sec, 75mm focal length, ISO 4oo, f 5.6

In this case I moved closer to the subject giving more detail, I also upped the ISO, to increase the lighting a bit, but in this case I`ve changed the white balance setting to give a colder feel which i feel gives George a more less approachable look.

Red Head (Close focus setting)

1/160 sec, 75mm focal length, ISO 200, f/10

I feel quite happy with this one, I have closed the aperture to f/10 and increased the shutter speed giving me a balanced exposure and getting rid of that awful back-drop. The close focus of the head also helped to give more concentrated light to the face and neck. The change in white balance gives George a warmer appeal.

Discharge tube with deep reflector

The discharge tube is similar to the low energy lamps we use at home but on a larger scale and with daylight correction.

1/30 sec, focal length 75mm, ISO 200, f2.8

With this type of lighting it gives a more cooler type of light which I feel probably suits a male model more, although maybe it wasn`t subtle enough and even to harsh for Jasper.

1/30 sec, focal length 75mm ISO 200, f4.0

In this image i`ve attempted to counteract the harshness of the light by closing the aperture to f4.0 giving jasper a warmer and less harsh complexion.

Continuous lighting, my thoughts.

It was fun using studio lighting for the first time and I feel I got fair results for a novice.

Typical softbox      

Softbox flash lighting source    

                                                                               

                   

Monoblock flash head

                                                                                           

These next images were shot using a flash head similar to the one above diffused by using a softbox. The flash was synced via a cable connected to the hot shoe on our cameras.

1/160 sec, focal length 75mm ISO 200, f11

I picked out the above image, not for the composition but for the lighting, in this exercise i was pre-occupied with the folds in the curtain behind and trying to hide them without post processing, which i`m happy i achieved a happy medium. 

Softlight beauty dish.

Beauty dish

The beauty dish does just what it says on the tin, often turning a harsh flash into a softer warmer light giving a nice even glow to the skin.

1/200 sec, focal length 40mm, ISO 200, f32

Again ignoring the composition, i feel Vicky was well and evenly lit although the left hand side of her face could have done with more reflective light, a touch of post processing will help in this case.