Tips for placement and strength of seperation lights

[abarickman]

Hey all,

Can anyone provide tips on where to place a separation light in a basic two light setup? For instance if I am using an umbrella tight and left for a single person where should I place the separation light? Opposite side, same side, at what angle, how close? Are there general starting points that someone could mention. Also I don't have a meter so any tips on getting the power right? I know that if I have shadows being cast from the ears etc it is too strong, anything else to look for?

Thanks in advance

[OsmosisStudios]

I usually put one light 45 degrees from the subject (left or right), up and pointing down at about 30 degrees. The other usually goes directly off to the opposite side, at 90 degrees from the model, and pointing flat (0 degrees up/down).

This gives good separation.

Of course, it depends on what you're doing and, ideally, you'd have another light for the background or to use as a hairlight.

[abarickman]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I usually put one light 45 degrees from the subject (left or right), up and pointing down at about 30 degrees. The other usually goes directly off to the opposite side, at 90 degrees from the model, and pointing flat (0 degrees up/down).

This gives good separation.

Of course, it depends on what you're doing and, ideally, you'd have another light for the background or to use as a hairlight.

Thanks for this information. I only have two flashes and a reflector so I am looking for a simple setup that would add a little more interest then just an umbrella and reflector fill. I am going to try a few different setups, of course, but I am looking for a good starting point. My background is my basements concrete wall so I am looking to let it go somewhat dark. To do this I plan to pull my subject about 15-20 (I have about 40 feet in width) feet off the wall and use the umbrella close and see how dark I can get the wall in back and then vary the subject to wall distance to get a dimly lit background. I plan to shoot with my 70-200. If this changes anything in terms of you answer let me know.

[OsmosisStudios]

Focal length doesnt change where your lights go, though it does mean you can get them closer sometimes. Longer focal lengths mean you can usually get lights closer to your subject because they dont show up in shots.

If you want to completely darken the background, just drop the shutterspeed to sync speed. Faster shutter speed means less ambient light.

[abarickman]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Focal length doesnt change where your lights go, though it does mean you can get them closer sometimes. Longer focal lengths mean you can usually get lights closer to your subject because they dont show up in shots.

If you want to completely darken the background, just drop the shutterspeed to sync speed. Faster shutter speed means less ambient light.

Thanks again. Yes, the reason for the 70-200 is to compress and keep only the wall as the background.

I will be using ISO 100 and a shutter of 1/200th which is my max sync speed. With the way that the umbrella spreads light I need to use the distance from the wall to manage the background's relative brightness. Shutter speed would have no affect since I am trying to control the flashes affect on the wall behind not the ambient.

[OsmosisStudios]

I was under the impression the issue with the wall was, in fact, ambient light. If it's fall off, then you can try moving the lights away from the wall a bit, or using a gobo (particularly on the 45 degree light),

[joeleszc]

Once you get this figured out could you please post some examples as I'm in a similar position, thank you

[abarickman]

OK I got to play some with my son tonight. I was not focused on his expressions or posing as much as the lighting. I have much to learn but it was a good exercise. Comments and suggestions welcomed.

#1


Canon 430EX into white umbrella 45 to subject
1/200 - F5 - ISO 200

#2


Canon 430EX into white umbrella 45 to subject
Lumipro LP160 through Honl Traveller8 90 degrees to subject 1/32 power
1/200 - F4 - ISO 100

#3


Canon 430EX into white umbrella 45 to subject
Lumipro LP160 through Honl Traveller8 90 degrees to subject 1/32 power
1/200 - F4 - ISO 100

#4


Canon 430EX into white umbrella 45 to subject
Lumipro LP160 bare bulb against backwall at 1/32 power
1/200 - F4 - ISO 100