Lighting
1,174 posts
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Posted 12/09/2012 - 22:19
Paper is cheaper and lighter... Vinyl more durable...
I have a 6m x 3m white muslin... 'most' of the creases can be controlled in post and by blowing out the background with flash...
In my opinion, no the jessops flash won't have the power to really blow it out... However, you're in a better position than me with the 2 400watters (I only have 2 hotshoe flashes)...
Do you have anything to spread your light? (umbrellas etc even a stoffen on a hotshoe flash can work reasonably well)
Modifiers are a good thing.
I'd use one of the 400's to light subject, one to light background(or rear of subject perhaps) and the hotshoe as a fill-only when required...
I guessing your 400's are fired via a wireless trigger set-up... You should be able to fire the hotshoe-flash in slave mode...
Using flash off-camera in general is going to take a fair bit of experimentation to get the results you want... Those results or the 'look' may not be the results I (or others) would want... Experiment lots and find light you like... Funtimes...
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
I have a 6m x 3m white muslin... 'most' of the creases can be controlled in post and by blowing out the background with flash...
In my opinion, no the jessops flash won't have the power to really blow it out... However, you're in a better position than me with the 2 400watters (I only have 2 hotshoe flashes)...
Do you have anything to spread your light? (umbrellas etc even a stoffen on a hotshoe flash can work reasonably well)
Modifiers are a good thing.
I'd use one of the 400's to light subject, one to light background(or rear of subject perhaps) and the hotshoe as a fill-only when required...
I guessing your 400's are fired via a wireless trigger set-up... You should be able to fire the hotshoe-flash in slave mode...
Using flash off-camera in general is going to take a fair bit of experimentation to get the results you want... Those results or the 'look' may not be the results I (or others) would want... Experiment lots and find light you like... Funtimes...
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
Link
Posted 12/09/2012 - 22:19
Ha!! You're in Bradford too!!
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
Link
Posted 12/09/2012 - 22:25
Get some of those plastic crocodile clips from the pound shop and clip the Muslin to the stands 
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Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Last Edited by the Moderator Team on 13/09/2012 - 18:05
18 posts
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Posted 12/09/2012 - 22:30
Thanks for the reply. I do have a stand and umbrella set for the jessops flash. It is one of those tilt and swivel ones, I don't know the model number because I cba to get off my backside and look ha.
I wanted the vinyl because it is going to be in my small front room that is carpeted and thought paper would not be good on a soft floor. Plus I can wipe it clean. I found a 2.9m by 6m vinyl background for £65 delivered with a heavy duty support for £40.
When it comes I will mess about with it a lot. I don't like to use my flash too much though because I worry about the lifespan that Lastolite agent told me about on the phone!
Ha yes, I am up in Allerton! Nice to see another Pentax user in Bradford, I am tired of seeing bloody canon 5D's!
www.flickr.com/chris9486
I wanted the vinyl because it is going to be in my small front room that is carpeted and thought paper would not be good on a soft floor. Plus I can wipe it clean. I found a 2.9m by 6m vinyl background for £65 delivered with a heavy duty support for £40.
When it comes I will mess about with it a lot. I don't like to use my flash too much though because I worry about the lifespan that Lastolite agent told me about on the phone!
Ha yes, I am up in Allerton! Nice to see another Pentax user in Bradford, I am tired of seeing bloody canon 5D's!
www.flickr.com/chris9486
Link
Posted 12/09/2012 - 22:33
cabstar wrote:
Get some of those plastic crocodile clips from the pound shop and clip the Muslim to the stands
Get some of those plastic crocodile clips from the pound shop and clip the Muslim to the stands
I have read it is only good like that if you leave it up permanently? This isn't an option as I live in a small town house so I need to be able to put it away. I worked with a photographer who had a cotton muslin background and went nuts everytime he used it.
www.flickr.com/chris9486
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Posted 12/09/2012 - 22:49
chris9486 wrote:
I worked with a photographer who had a cotton muslin background and went nuts everytime he used it.
I worked with a photographer who had a cotton muslin background and went nuts everytime he used it.
I hear you but it IS deffo easier to pack-up and stored and the more you darken (using inverse square) the less of an issue
Check out my 'Leap' set on flickr (although I did use gallery spots as well as my 2 hotshoe flashes) ... creases can be seen in the corners of the 'white' background more than the 'gray' ones (same white muslin)
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
Link
Posted 13/09/2012 - 09:42
cabstar. Check your spelling and edit!!!!!
CHEERS Vic.
Born again biker with lots of Pentax bits. Every day I wake up is a good day. I'm so old I don't even buy green bananas.
CHEERS Vic.
Born again biker with lots of Pentax bits. Every day I wake up is a good day. I'm so old I don't even buy green bananas.
Link
Posted 13/09/2012 - 17:58
It's this iPads spell checker, it changes the simplest words etc...
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Link
Posted 13/09/2012 - 18:05
I've edited it for you.
Best regards, John
Best regards, John
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Posted 13/09/2012 - 18:21
Thanks John
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Link
Posted 14/09/2012 - 10:26
Without knowing the output of your Vivitar it is hard to say but if you use it with a brolly you might find the brolly getting in shot. DaveHolmes first post is good advice. I use two Pentax AF400T guns for background lighting on Calumet backlight stands link
Whether you are using paper, vinyl or muslin, you can overexpose the background to eliminate any marks and it gives quite a good backlight into the bargain.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Whether you are using paper, vinyl or muslin, you can overexpose the background to eliminate any marks and it gives quite a good backlight into the bargain.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Link
Posted 14/09/2012 - 10:27
cabstar wrote:
It's this iPads spell checker, it changes the simplest words etc...
It's this iPads spell checker, it changes the simplest words etc...
The iPad's spellchecker is my greatest enema
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Link
Posted 14/09/2012 - 14:23
Ken. Using your AF400T flashes. Did you ever get that Vivitar V510 power pack to work?
CHEERS Vic.
Spell check. Vic.
Born again biker with lots of Pentax bits. Every day I wake up is a good day. I'm so old I don't even buy green bananas.
CHEERS Vic.
Spell check. Vic.
Born again biker with lots of Pentax bits. Every day I wake up is a good day. I'm so old I don't even buy green bananas.
Last Edited by vic cross on 14/09/2012 - 14:24
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Posted 14/09/2012 - 14:31
you can look for an end of roll sheet of vinyl flooring with a smooth back and a roll of latex paint for a bacdrop if you have sturdy stands.. it is easier to repaint it white then clean after a long shoot....
Fired many shots. Didn't kill anything.
Fired many shots. Didn't kill anything.
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chris9486
Member
Bradford, West Yorkshire
I wondered if someone could tell me about paper backgrounds? Is vinyl a better option?
Could someone also help me with my lighting set up? I have 2 x 400w Lastolites and 1 x Jessops hot shoe flash. Would the Jessops flash be enough to light up the background if it was on full power?
www.flickr.com/chris9486