Show me you set ups

[superduperwesman]

Just like the title says... curious to see everyone's lighting set ups. Thinking about setting up a home studio but before doing so I'd be curious to see what others have.

Feel free to include a little description

[Benji]

I use this lighting set up about 95% of the time in my low key camera room. The fill light behind the camera makes sure everything the lens "sees" will have some light. This prevents the blacks (like black clothing) from being so black that they are simply large areas of black nothingness which is the hallmark of an amateur photograph. The main light provides contrast which is needed to keep the image from being flat lit. The kicker adds some light to the hair or cheek of the subject opposite the main light. The hair light makes the hair look nice and shiney and healthy and prevents it from blending in with the dark background. The background light illuminates the background and provides seperation between the subject and the background. Put it all together and you will get images like the one below.

Benji

[peeperita]

and from the other end of the spectrum is my kitchen...



used to create this image of toilet paper.....




i thought you might get a kick out of that set up......it's been a while since i shot this way......now i have a real light tent and a bit better on lighting gear....
peeper

[SusanH1970]

Here's a pretty good thread that was started a while back with loads of different setups. Hope this helps.

Strobist: Show us how you took it?

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by Benji

I use this lighting set up about 95% of the time in my low key camera room. The fill light behind the camera makes sure everything the lens "sees" will have some light. This prevents the blacks (like black clothing) from being so black that they are simply large areas of black nothingness which is the hallmark of an amateur photograph. The main light provides contrast which is needed to keep the image from being flat lit. The kicker adds some light to the hair or cheek of the subject opposite the main light. The hair light makes the hair look nice and shiney and healthy and prevents it from blending in with the dark background. The background light illuminates the background and provides seperation between the subject and the background. Put it all together and you will get images like the one below.

Benji

Wow! That's a lot of lights but obviously worth it. Good call on providing a picture of the result.

Any chance we can see a picture of the real deal? I'm also part of a saltwater forum and some of the most interesting pictures are the not of the tanks but of the fish rooms behind the tanks. Similarly, I think some of the most interesting pictures are seeing the actually setups. How a great picture can come out of a basement, a spare room, a kitchen, or sometimes even a studio. Resulting in a variety of responses... "Maybe I could do a setup like that in my basement" or "Dang I wish I had an actual studio set up like that"

Plus with pictures of the actual setups then I might be able to get a peep at what kind of brands most people are using. How many are DIYing etc. Actual light stands or stand can or mix... etc.

But very nice setup. I like!

She on the floor? Or what kind of base you using?

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by peeperita

and from the other end of the spectrum is my kitchen...

used to create this image of toilet paper.....

i thought you might get a kick out of that set up......it's been a while since i shot this way......now i have a real light tent and a bit better on lighting gear....
peeper

ahah yeah this is a little more how my current setups look. However, like you I'd like to move toward something a little more user friendly and larger. Ideally in the basement so my wife doesn't kill me ahah. "What...? I'm trying to photograph toilet paper... I know you're trying to cook supper but..."

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Here's a pretty good thread that was started a while back with loads of different setups. Hope this helps.

Strobist: Show us how you took it?

Thanks. Checking this out now.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by superduperwesman

Wow! That's a lot of lights but obviously worth it. Good call on providing a picture of the result.

Any chance we can see a picture of the real deal? I'm also part of a saltwater forum and some of the most interesting pictures are the not of the tanks but of the fish rooms behind the tanks. Similarly, I think some of the most interesting pictures are seeing the actually setups. How a great picture can come out of a basement, a spare room, a kitchen, or sometimes even a studio. Resulting in a variety of responses... "Maybe I could do a setup like that in my basement" or "Dang I wish I had an actual studio set up like that"

Plus with pictures of the actual setups then I might be able to get a peep at what kind of brands most people are using. How many are DIYing etc. Actual light stands or stand can or mix... etc.

But very nice setup. I like!

She on the floor? Or what kind of base you using?

I move the lights around a lot so I don't have a shot of the lights "in action" but I will shoot one later this week during an actual shoot and post it.

My low key camera room is 1000 square feet with 11 foot ceilings so I don't have any problems with my lights bumping the ceiling!

As far as brands I have a huge mix, but they are mostly Photogenic and Bowens with a few odd ball brands thrown in for good measure. At last count I have 26 a/c powered studio flash units. I use stands for most of them but I also have a rail system that I use mainly for my hair lights as I don't like booms.

The young lady is laying on the floor which is covered with a muslin that extends behind her and up the wall.

Benji

[Benji]

As promised, here is a shot of my five light setup and then the actual shot taken a few seconds later.

Benji

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by Benji

As promised, here is a shot of my five light setup and then the actual shot taken a few seconds later.

Benji

Wow. Very cool. Thanks! I like seeing the height that you have the lights at b/c that's always kinda hard to tell from the overview schematics. You've got tons of room to work. Guess a few cool chairs are also a good idea.

Scissor on the hair light must also be nice. Is it also on a track or some kind?