lighting a backdrop

danalin · #1 09-06-2005, 09:36 AM

i have been using a 60" softliter and an ab strobe as my lighting set up...so far i love it... i like my blondie bd with it

i recently purchased ebony and i think i need help here...

i have a 2nd alien bee strobe i could use on the bd...i just don't know how to set it up...i don't have any light diffuser or anything on it...

i metered for...
Tv 1/125
Av 7.1
ISO 100

any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Silverlake · #2 09-06-2005, 02:19 PM

danalin,

I am glad this question was posted. This comes up often enough that it would be a good time to address it.

First, bear in mind that the Ebony background is specifically designed to achieve the look that you have here. It is painted to be a low key background that does not show much contrast in colors. The best use for a background like this is when you are creating a dark portrait with only minor mottling visible.

With that said, it is not necessary to settle with only the look of a very low key background. It is possible to dramatically change the look of the background depending on how much light is dedicated to the background in relation to how much light is dedicated to the subject.

This is a difficult concept for some to grasp, but studio lighting gives you ultimate control of how light or dark your background appears. Trust me when I tell you that it is possible to make a black background white or a white background black by manipulating the amount of light hitting the subject in relation to the amount of light hitting the background.

Pardon the quickie sample shots, but I just grabbed someone from the office to stand in. For these samples, I used a background that is on the darker side...similar to the ebony, but with browns. The subject is 8 feet in front of the background and care was taken to not allow spill from the main light to hit the background.

The light on the subject metered at F 11 1/2 (F 13 on newer cameras) The camera was set at F 13 and no adjustments were made from one image to the next.

The F stops indicated below the images is the reading for the amount of light striking the background.

danalin · #3 09-06-2005, 03:20 PM

WOW thank you so much for your reply...
it is great to see the variations here!
i really like the look of F 9.5 and even 6.7
that is more the way ebony looks on your website i believe... lit a bit
i plan to use ebony for holiday and family portraits
now, what would you recommend for me to put on my back light ? right now i just have a silver reflector around it

Silverlake · #4 09-06-2005, 03:44 PM

I forgot to mention that you can increase the exposure to your background by moving the subject closer to the background and letting the main light spill on the background. If you do not have an additional light to dedicate to the background, then you have to rely on spill from your other lights. Thus, to control the brightness/darkness of the background, you will be moving the subject closer to and farther away from the background.

This is what we use on our background light. It is made by photogenic and is called a honeycomb grid or spot grid. It is beat up and bent because I have used the same one for at least 11 years, but I know other companies make them too.

danalin · #5 09-06-2005, 04:07 PM

i will try your suggestions and look into the grid as well.
thanks so much!!

danalin · #6 09-11-2005, 08:49 PM

what degree grid would you recommend? currently, my setup has limited space... max i can shoot with subjects almost 4 feet from bd and me about 4 in front of them, but it's tight

Stacey Rosenbaum · #7 09-12-2005, 12:01 PM

My shooting space is very small too, so my subjects are the same distance to bg as yours (4 ft). I use a 20 degree grid on my light and it's wonderful for me.

Silverlake · #8 09-12-2005, 02:12 PM

I have used the 10 degree for years. If I wish to have a larger bright spot, I move the light farther from the background. If I want it to be a smaller hot spot, I move the light closer.

danalin · #9 09-15-2005, 08:59 PM

well i got a grid

i got a 40 degree simply because i used the alien bees chart and figured out my distances and figured that would work...plus i was anxious and ordered before i got everyone's reply

it sure makes a difference in the look of my backdrop. i metered my backlight at 5.6

ERIKA'SPHOTOGRAPHY · #10 12-20-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverlake

I have used the 10 degree for years. If I wish to have a larger bright spot, I move the light farther from the background. If I want it to be a smaller hot spot, I move the light closer.

Travis, are you using that grid on JTL strobes? I have barn doors and a grid that fits into the barn doors, but I haven't found where anywhere sells a smaller grid for my JTL strobes. I'm not sure what this one I have is...nothing on it says. I want one that will create a smaller hot spot.

Silverlake · #11 12-20-2007, 11:06 AM

No. The spot grid I have is older than the hills. It's a photogenic one that I have had forever.

What degree do you have for the JTL and what are you looking for?

ERIKA'SPHOTOGRAPHY · #12 12-20-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverlake

No. The spot grid I have is older than the hills. It's a photogenic one that I have had forever.

What degree do you have for the JTL and what are you looking for?

This is what I have right now which shows the barn doors & honeycomb grid I use for my backdrop light:

http://www.adorama.com/JTAKL.html

I'm looking for grids that would fit into this system that could give me a smaller hot spot.

Silverlake · #13 12-20-2007, 11:42 AM

Erika,

JTL has limited spot grid options. They do make a spot grid snoot kit that won't give you a tighter grid, but will give you a smaller opening. It is designed as a hair light or accent light attachment, but it might give you the circle size you are looking for:

http://www.jtlcorp.com/blue/accessories.html

The photogenic one that I have simply snaps around the reflector dish and does fit the reflector dishes for the JTL as well. You can find it here:

http://www.adorama.com/POAG47GS.html

ERIKA'SPHOTOGRAPHY · #14 12-20-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverlake

Erika,

JTL has limited spot grid options. They do make a spot grid snoot kit that won't give you a tighter grid, but will give you a smaller opening. It is designed as a hair light or accent light attachment, but it might give you the circle size you are looking for:

http://www.jtlcorp.com/blue/accessories.html

The photogenic one that I have simply snaps around the reflector dish and does fit the reflector dishes for the JTL as well. You can find it here:

http://www.adorama.com/POAG47GS.html

I think the photogenic one is what I'm looking for....thanks for that link. I'm just surprised that JTL doesn't make more options!