Photo session setup

I was ask by reader how my lighting setup was done.  I thought it would be good to show some pictures. Now, I can't claim anything of mine in terms on how the lights are position. I learn a lot from the Strobist and from Izzy Video.  I learn the beginning of light position with Izzy and is a very good resource for video.  I learn more about using flash, combining different lights, and umbrellas from the Strobist.  The Strobist site has a lot of info, so just take you time.  Ok... let's look at the setup.

First, I setup my flash on my stand.  I don't yet own a diffuser so I use the bottom of an alcohol container(not my idea).  I have it almost pointing straight up. I have found that this angle works good.  Also, I have learn to raise or lower the light stand depending on the height of the ceiling.  The flash will be my key light.

Now I need setup my back drop.  I use mobile clothes hangers without the wheels (my idea).  I then drape both of them with the back drop I want to use.  I have this one plus a light gray and a green screen.

Here is my back light.  I have found that I like it above the person.  Also, the bench is pulled away from the backdrop.  I think you can see in a photo below.

The picture here show all three lights.  My fill light is a homemade soft box.  I took a normal nice size box. Pick up some diffuser paper and attached it to a cut out cardboard.  I fill the inside with foil.  I bought some track lights where I cut two wholes in the top.  The flash does put out a lot of light so I am always compensating with moving the fill light.

The fill light.
Another shot of the setup.
Since I am using different color lights and I don't have a color filter for my flash, I use a gray card to setup the pre-balance of my camera.  This works mostly well but I find that if I do any change in the lighting and forget to re-set the white balance, I will have to do it in the darkroom.

Here the first picture my wife took.  Notice that the lights are to close to me.  That is going to have to change.

If you look at one of the pictures above you will notice the light on only one clip. Having three clips raise it up pretty good.
Oh, this is much better.  I realize this picture and the one with my son, I needed to move the fill light closer.  I try to take a couple of test shots before hand to make sure my aperture, f stop, and lighting looks good.
He was a great trooper doing this.  It was just past his bed time and as you can see, he was tired.

Notice on my shirt that you can still see the flash color.  I actually like the way it turns out.

Well, there it is.  I hope it helps.  I know what I have done is no where near perfect and find that I am making it better each session.  Feel free to leave feedback on what you like, what you might have done different, or other ideas.

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Flickr Photos

As you can see, just added my Flickr badge. Pretty cool. I wanted to actually share some of my favorites from my Flickr photostream. Feel free to visit my Flickr page.

This is our family dog. His name is Merlin.

He loves to sit in the chair but the rule is he is suppose to be in a lap.  Shhh... Don't say anything to my wife......

Merlin and me.

Cemetery in Little Rock. The class I took had a couple of outings and this is some of the pictures from it.

Beautiful color. It was a rainy day and it made for some good lighting.

Feel free to leave any remarks about the pictures.

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Beginnings

Welcome:

Hello, thank you for taking time to visit my blog. This really isn't my first blog (check out Home Blog.) .  That blog was more on the construction of my second home. This blog is all about me reflecting on photographs/video I will take (hopefully) on upcoming sessions. 

a Little About Me:

Since I was little, I have always enjoy taking pictures and being in pictures. I have lots of pictures in Albums, several slides, and loads of negatives.  I am taking the time to scan in my negatives. Right now, I am starting with my oldest son's birth since I had not gone digital at that time (Nikon N2000). When I was in High School, my parents gave me my first camera gear.  It was a Vivitar 35mm and Flash.  I can not tell you what model it was but I still have the Flash (I'll mention it in a later post, but it was one of their first bounce flashes).  I took some type of photo class after school.  This is where I first learn how to develop B&W negatives. Once in College, I took a two semesters of photography and pick up the Nikon N2000.  It came with a 50mm f1.8(I think) lens. I learned a lot in those two classes but from that point it was over. The money involved for each class was double in cost. But I still continue to take pictures. 

currently:

Today, I am a computer programmer.  I develop web applications but I am not a web site designer ;).  Recently, I started doing a little videography that has led me back to my passion of photography.  I took an advance 4 week class at Bedfords. It was very good.  It really help me understand more about digital cameras.  I am slowly starting this side project/business. I actually have an upcoming session that I look forward too. Each time I have a session, I will post a few pictures here.  Feel free to leave any remarks about the pictures. 

You can also visit my Flickr Page. This has pictures of my walks and from the class.

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