Compensating for really bright strobes

[rcooper102]

So, a year or so ago I had to light a warehouse for a shot so I bought a pair of 500w strobes for the job. Lately I have wanted to explore a bit with studio work but have been having a heck of a time properly exposing my subjects with these lights. I am shooting them through softboxes and a second layer of diffusion and my shots are still blowing out with the lights on the lowest setting.

Obviously if I crank up the Aperture the exposure darkens but then my depth of field ruins the shot. Currently I am shooting at between F2.8 and F5 and getting lots of over exposure.

Anyway, does anyone have any advice for offsetting the brightness of these lights? I have toyed with the idea of buying a neutral density filter for my portrait lens but I was wondering if I am simply doing something wrong with my technique. Its not like 500w is THAT powerful for a strobe.

thanks!

[Doug Sundseth]

500 Ws is a pretty powerful light for use in a small studio. I've been using Alienbees B800s, and mostly living in the 1/32 to 1/16 power level range, even though I'm shooting for a relatively deep DoF. We just ordered a new pair of strobes and we're getting the B400s so that we have a lower bottom end (and less expense).

I think your best bet is to get ND filters. Make sure you get good filters, though, as cheap ones often have nasty color casts. FWIW, I've had good luck with B+H.

[rcooper102]

Thanks, ya, I figured 500s are probably a bit of overkill for a small home studio but I can't beat the price of already having them hahahaha. I will look into getting a decent ND as It is a wee bit more economical than new strobes hahaha.

[scootermcq]

Forget that..... Even the best ND filter will steal a little IQ from you. ND Gel the strobes instead to reduce their output. Basically reduces the brightness without the loss of quality that you will get from putting a piece of glass in front of your lens

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Forget that..... Even the best ND filter will steal a little IQ from you. ND Gel the strobes instead to reduce their output. Basically reduces the brightness without the loss of quality that you will get from putting a piece of glass in front of your lens

Yea, no matter the quality of the filter, there will alwauys be some weird toning, even if its mild. and efintiely stay away from cheap ones. they purple like cheaply done car window darkening.

[OsmosisStudios]

Turn them down?