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    Speedlite Studio Tests

    I enlisted the help of a good friend to help me test my speedlite studio setup and give me some starting tips on how to set it up.

    The attached images were taken using 2x 600ex-rt speedlites triggered via an ST-E3-RT on my camera.
    Light was diffused/controlled via a Lastolite 76x76 Ezybox Hotshoe Softbox and a Lastolite All-in-One umbrella.
    I did try some with a 3rd speedlite lighting the background or as a hair light, but these did not work out so well, and did not really suit either my friend or me!

    I tried various setups.
    Started with just the soft box, then added the umbrella and finished with just the soft box again but from the side for a harsher more dramatic loo.
    I did try other setups such as just umbrella, backlight and using the reflector but have left those off for now.

    One mistake I did make was having my depth of field too shallow, but as the main aim was to try and learn a bit about lighting I've shared these anyway.

    Anyway, as always comments are welcomed.
    Attached Files
    Andy
    _____________________________
    Canon EOS 5D MarkIV, 11-24mm f4, 24-70mm f2.8 II, 24-105mm f4, 70-200mm f2.8 IS II USM, 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS II USM, 100mm Macro, 50mm f1.4, Speedlite 600EX-RT, Manfrotto tripod
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberdavis/

    #2
    Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

    I like 2 & 3, good work Andy.
    Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF 135mm F/2 L, EF 16-35mm F/4 L, EF 50mm f/1.8, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 28mm f/2.8
    http://www.aveyardphotography.co.uk
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/aveyardphotography
    https://www.facebook.com/AveyardPhotography

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

      2&3 for me as well

      Tom

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

        Thanks very much Andy & Tom.
        Number 3 is my favourite, I was pleased with the lighting effect.
        Andy
        _____________________________
        Canon EOS 5D MarkIV, 11-24mm f4, 24-70mm f2.8 II, 24-105mm f4, 70-200mm f2.8 IS II USM, 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS II USM, 100mm Macro, 50mm f1.4, Speedlite 600EX-RT, Manfrotto tripod
        http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberdavis/

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

          Interesting results. Good job! I think a rim light would be beneficial and perhaps a reflector to throw a bit of soft light into the shadows. It really depends on the look you were going for, though.

          I saw John Denton doing an hours lighting workshop last week and I too was surprised at the depth of field for studio work. For environmental portraits I usually hover around f4 but John was up around f11 or even higher. It made me want to go out and buy a light meter!
          Canon 5DMKII | Canon 550D | EF 50mm f/1.8 II | EF 35 f/2 IS USM | EF 85 f/1.8 USM | Speedlite 430EX II | 2x Yongnuo YN-622C | MacBook Pro 2.7GHz i7 | Lightroom 5 | Hama Traveller Mini Pro Tripod | Lowepro Stealth Reporter D400W | Flickr | 500px | Website

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

            Originally posted by lone pilgrim View Post
            Interesting results. Good job! I think a rim light would be beneficial and perhaps a reflector to throw a bit of soft light into the shadows. It really depends on the look you were going for, though.

            I saw John Denton doing an hours lighting workshop last week and I too was surprised at the depth of field for studio work. For environmental portraits I usually hover around f4 but John was up around f11 or even higher. It made me want to go out and buy a light meter!
            Thanks for looking, and I agree with your points. Rim light and reflectors are key options to be considered and used as needed.

            I ran out of time to play around with the rim and back lights. In the initial tests it highlighted the ears too much!
            But next time we have someone willing to sit for portraits at camera club I'll certainly give it a go as I agree it's an important topic and option.
            I did use the 3rd speedlite to light the background and give it a white background look, that worked well.

            We did also use a reflector to remove shadows under chin etc, and to give different colour casts with gold etc.
            But as there were only two of us and we did not have a stand for the reflector it affected the pose as he had to hold it as well, next time we will hopefully have a 3rd person to hold and direct reflector.
            Andy
            _____________________________
            Canon EOS 5D MarkIV, 11-24mm f4, 24-70mm f2.8 II, 24-105mm f4, 70-200mm f2.8 IS II USM, 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS II USM, 100mm Macro, 50mm f1.4, Speedlite 600EX-RT, Manfrotto tripod
            http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberdavis/

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

              Yup, big ears are an issue with rim lights. So is white hair and bald heads!
              Canon 5DMKII | Canon 550D | EF 50mm f/1.8 II | EF 35 f/2 IS USM | EF 85 f/1.8 USM | Speedlite 430EX II | 2x Yongnuo YN-622C | MacBook Pro 2.7GHz i7 | Lightroom 5 | Hama Traveller Mini Pro Tripod | Lowepro Stealth Reporter D400W | Flickr | 500px | Website

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

                Originally posted by lone pilgrim View Post
                Yup, big ears are an issue with rim lights. So is white hair and bald heads!
                Youve pretty much covered me and my mate there!!
                Andy
                _____________________________
                Canon EOS 5D MarkIV, 11-24mm f4, 24-70mm f2.8 II, 24-105mm f4, 70-200mm f2.8 IS II USM, 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS II USM, 100mm Macro, 50mm f1.4, Speedlite 600EX-RT, Manfrotto tripod
                http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberdavis/

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

                  Think you've done a great job with the lighting, graduation in the background looks a little strange(grey colour banding) on my screen!! could be the upload.


                  (just looked on your flickr and background looks a lot better, how come you didn't upload from flickr a much better way to upload your images to this forum)

                  Paul
                  EOS 1Dx, - EF 24-105L f4,- Sigma 135 f1.8 Art - EF 400L IS f2.8, - Speedlite 430EXII.
                  Freelance Sports Photographer for local Press - https://twitter.com/P_linton99

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Speedlite Studio Tests

                    Originally posted by paul linton View Post
                    (just looked on your flickr and background looks a lot better, how come you didn't upload from flickr a much better way to upload your images to this forum)
                    Thanks very much for the comments.

                    My mate was not too keen on them all being on Flickr, so I just uploaded lower resolution images to here. So the lower resolution accounts for that banding.
                    Normally I do just link to Flickr.
                    Andy
                    _____________________________
                    Canon EOS 5D MarkIV, 11-24mm f4, 24-70mm f2.8 II, 24-105mm f4, 70-200mm f2.8 IS II USM, 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS II USM, 100mm Macro, 50mm f1.4, Speedlite 600EX-RT, Manfrotto tripod
                    http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberdavis/

                    Comment

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