Lighting basics

JasonUK · Mar 31, 2005

I bought a couple of (tungsten i guess) photography lights with defusers and reflectors for use in home studio.

I have not had much success, as they are so bright.

For a basic/well lit portrait how far away should the lights be?

And what sized area is the minimum space required for a small home studio?

KevinR · Mar 31, 2005

I have used about an 8x8 area. I try to keep the lights about 6 ft away from the subject.

What is the problem your having? Are you talking over exposure or what?

JasonUK · Mar 31, 2005

Yes, over exposure, it washes some parts out. and when just relying on lights alone the shutter speed is so slow and grainy.

8x8 is in feet?

Christie Photo · Mar 31, 2005

This is a good starting point.

Are you shooting film or digital?

JasonUK · Mar 31, 2005

I am digital

Ghoste · Mar 31, 2005

I'm not a pro or anything but can't you bounce the lights off the ceiling? Have it brighten up the room? Maybe I'm completly wrong =p.

Christie Photo · Mar 31, 2005

JasonUK said:
I am digital

OK... good. Yeah, the light's are bight, and there are some pros and cons, but one good thing right off is you can see just where the light is. Get someone to help as a model and move the lights until you see what you like.

Once you get things looking like you want, I recommend you take a reading (MANUAL) off a gray card. Have your model hold the gray card close to the face. Make sure you fill the viewfinder with nothing but card. Then, flip the card over and do a "custom white balance." Sorry, I don't remember which camera you have, but you can find the steps in your owner's manuel.

Now that you have your exposure set and white balance done, do a practice session.

Then, post your favorites here and you'll get plenty of good direction from your forum friends!

Christie Photo · Mar 31, 2005

Ghoste said:
...can't you bounce the lights off the ceiling? Have it brighten up the room? Maybe I'm completly wrong =p.

No.... you're not completely wrong. But it would create a light source that is more streight-down, causing some shadows under the brow, nose and chin.
If there's any color in the ceiling, this will cause a bit of a color shift too. But more important, you can't (easily) move the ceiling for adjustment.

Not a bad thought, though. I've done this with hand-held stobes in certain conditions.

voodoocat · Mar 31, 2005

Then, flip the card over and do a "custom white balance."

Actually, it's better to measure white balance off of the gray card because the exposure is accurate which gives a more accurate white balance reading.

Christie Photo · Mar 31, 2005

voodoocat said:
Actually, it's better to measure white balance off of the gray card because the exposure is accurate which gives a more accurate white balance reading.

I suppose... but I like to see where the "white data" falls on the histogram though. And again, the white reading is done after the exposure is determined with the gray, so it would be as accurate.

voodoocat · Mar 31, 2005

Christie Photo said:
exposure is determined with the gray, so it would be as accurate.

Quoted for truth. I didn't even think of that.

JasonUK · Apr 1, 2005

Thanks for the thoughts and direction, I will give it a go and let you all see where I end up. Although I think my space is too small for a home studio (3.5mx4.5m) to get the lights far enough away.