Confused about custom white balance

[tirediron]

Canvas bags are easy, I can do them blindfolded, they do not reflect. Bags like this are my nightmare

Like I said, it will take a little time to get it right. If you called me in to do this, I would tell you that it would take at least four hours before the first bag was done. It might take less, but I would plan four hours.

Out of curiosity, how far away were your lights?

 

[Quovadis]

Canvas bags are easy, I can do them blindfolded, they do not reflect. Bags like this are my nightmare

Like I said, it will take a little time to get it right. If you called me in to do this, I would tell you that it would take at least four hours before the first bag was done. It might take less, but I would plan four hours.

Out of curiosity, how far away were your lights?

about 4 feet. And only about half of them were turned on. Hang on let me take a pic of my "most recent set up" I have changed this set up many times.

 

[Quovadis]

Here is current set up.
Softboxes 1 and 2 are pointed towards the white background, they contain 8 x 85watt bulbs (four each). They are both behind the subject.
Softboxes 3 and 4 contain seven x 85watts each. These softboxes have toggle switches, so i can turn bulbs on or off. These softboxes are normally on the side of the subject in front. I move these softboxes closer or farther away from the subject depending on the shot.
Softbox 5 contains 4 x 85watt bulbs and is directly above the subject. Most of the time this softbox is not active, because it causes reflections from above.

The subject is about 3 feet before the white backdrop. The white backdrop is matte PVC. All softboxes have at least 2 layers of diffusion inside.

 

[Quovadis]

Oh,
the boom you see in the middle has a fishing line attached, and keeps the bags upright

 

[Quovadis]

come Monday, everything you see here will be replaced by 4 strobes inside soft boxes. The question is? Where do i position strobes? what distance? do I aim them at the bag? Or at the ceiling?
The only way I will be able to see reflections before taking a shot is with the modelling lights.
I forgot I had modeling lights at least...

 

[tirediron]

Okay, so looking at your set-up, you have five lights. What is the function of each?

 

[Quovadis]

To light the backdrop, and to light the subject...sorry do not understand your question.

 

[table1349]

To light the backdrop, and to light the subject...sorry do not understand your question.

I believe that explains a lot. What are you using for key lighting, fill lighting, background/set lighting? Are you including a coffin light in the setup? If so do you have a butterfly with it?

How many of each, where are they placed etc.

 

[Quovadis]

Let me re-phrase.
I learnt that illuminating the backdrop makes it whiter. So i use light back there.
The top light is supposed to bring more texture to the bag. I have not noticed this. All it does for me is blows the bag handles out and gives them reflections.
The left and right side softboxes illuminate both sides of the bag equally, as well as the front of the bag.
Am i missing something?

 

[table1349]

So what are your lighting ratios between the front lighting and top light? What are your distances from product to light? What diffusion materials are you using? What are you angles of light to the products? All of this matters.

 

[Quovadis]

To light the backdrop, and to light the subject...sorry do not understand your question.

I believe that explains a lot. What are you using for key lighting, fill lighting, background/set lighting? Are you including a coffin light in the setup? If so do you have a butterfly with it?

How many of each, where are they placed etc.

Look at the pictures they show each light and the position of each light. Wtf is a coffin light? If you are trying to be funny or sarcastic, please go somewhere else, this is difficult enough without clown lights in the room.

 

[tirediron]

To light the backdrop, and to light the subject...sorry do not understand your question.

I believe that explains a lot. What are you using for key lighting, fill lighting, background/set lighting? Are you including a coffin light in the setup? If so do you have a butterfly with it?

How many of each, where are they placed etc.

Look at the pictures they show each light and the position of each light. Wtf is a coffin light? If you are trying to be funny or sarcastic, please go somewhere else, this is difficult enough without clown lights in the room.

Whoooaaaaaaaaa buckaroo!!! Steady on. Gryph is someone who knows of what he speaks and is trying to help you. You might want to read this and get familiar with basic lighting terms.

 

[Quovadis]

So what are your lighting ratios between the front lighting and top light? What are your distances from product to light? What diffusion materials are you using? What are you angles of light to the products? All of this matters.

As for diffusion, it's a white sateen textile placed inside the soft boxes. Angles I will have to measure exactly. The lights on the backdrop are bright, the others I can tone down.

 

[Quovadis]

oops !!!!
Coffin Light
A rectangular Soft Light, often with an adjustable black skirt used to control Spill. Like the Chicken Coop and Space Light, it is hung over the set.

Terribly sorry, I thought you were taking the piss! I still have to google the butterfly thing.

I have no coffin lights...no black whatsoever...only white diffusion.

 

[table1349]

Coffin Light
A rectangular Soft Light, often with an adjustable black skirt used to control Spill.

Move you lights closer to the subject, that will soften the lighting. You will need to dial the power down. The angle of the lights determines the angle of reflection. Basic geometry. Lower the power of the overhead light so it adds a touch of fill. Understanding lighting ratios is just as important in product photography as in portrait work.

This might help: Glossary of Lighting Terms

A butterfly is another diffuser panel usually not attached to the light. Like a hung scrim. Great for strobes or sun.