|
HPL posted:I got to use flash at a concert at a decent venue because the lighting was very dark and tricky so they granted us that liberty. One funny part was that I was noticing that the flash was kind of harsh and I didn't have time to correct it so thinking quick, I noticed that the security guards that were leaning against the stage with their backs to the performers were wearing white shirts so I put my flash around behind them and bounced the light off their backs on the sly. Flash at a concert is tricky. It's best to set it to manual and use it as a very mild fill and to slow down the shutter a lot. I try not to shoot a venues that I'd need to use flash though. I find concert photos tend to look nicer without when you don't need to use it. But you can have some fun with flash and blur or strobe firing too. I tend to use my Lumiquest 80-20 when I need to shoot with flash.
|
| # ¿ Feb 9, 2009 16:59 |
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 19, 2013 13:15 |
|
|
brad industry posted:I watch movies (and music videos) specifically for lighting references. I have a folder with hundreds of DVD screenshots. Movie people know so much about lighting it's ridiculous. If you want to watch a music video for lighting look no further than the genius of Darren Doane in the music video for the track "Giles" by Unearth. The video is nothing but one big orgasm of lights in a giant studio. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnubiAyN-6o The the change in light use as the video transitions is awesome and I would have killed to have watch him film this.
|
| # ¿ Feb 18, 2009 19:56 |
|
|
Question for you guys. My girlfriend's older sister just got engaged a few weeks ago and it's long been known that I'm basically contracted to shoot any wedding for their family. I'd told my girlfriend a while back that I'd love to shoot the weddings, but I'd feel odd charging them an actual fee for doing it, however, I did say that I'd let them buy me equipment so that it would directly benefit the photos and that way I wouldn't feel like I was just an employee that they were cutting a check to. Well today I was talking to her mother and she told me that that is what they want to do and that they'd like to do it now because I'm shooting a couple weddings in August that they know I could use the equipment for. I'd planned on buying a studio light this summer, so this plays in perfectly and will definitely help alleviate that purchase. I don't want this to turn into a debate over what I should be charging, but I'm putting together potential packages for purchase that I think I personally would feel comfortable receiving as compensation for shooting her sister's wedding. Feel free to comment on which one you think would be most beneficial or make modifications of your own to my ideas. The only lighting I have right now is a Sigma DG 500 Super or whatever that flash is along with some basic modifiers for it. Package 1: Alien Bee B1600 Large foldable Octabox 22" Beauty Dish and sock 13' Air Cushioned stand Package 2: Two Alien Bee B800s Large Foldable Octabox Two 13' Heavy Duty Stands Package 3: Alien Bee B800 Large Foldable Octabox 13' Air Cushioned stand Vagabond II Another though, but I'm less knowledgeable on them would be swapping out the stand and something else for a stand/boom combo deal. I've recently read that most people think the AB boom isn't all that good and that it bends and has problems, but I don't know what the next best option is for a reasonable price. I like shots I see with a light on a boom above the camera and subject, so this is always an option, I just wouldn't know which one. Thoughts and ideas are much appreciated.
|
| # ¿ May 13, 2009 18:00 |
|
|
evil_bunnY posted:You can't wait for the new series of AB lights? Have they announced when they're coming out yet or pricing? I can wait until sometime in July need be. I heard people saying June for that Commander, but I hadn't heard a date for the lights. Edit: Nevermind, found it. http://paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/ Hmmmmm this makes things interesting. Double Edit: Beaten by your own edit, haha. Do you think it would be worth it to wait for something like that? I could potentially do the AB Max 640, stand and octabox. rockcity fucked around with this message at May 13, 2009 around 20:22 |
| # ¿ May 13, 2009 20:13 |
|
|
Hmmmm it appears that the AB Max lights don't need pure sine power, this is a nice feature since you can get modified sine power packs for about 1/3 the price. I might just have to go this route.
|
| # ¿ May 13, 2009 20:27 |
|
|
TsarAleksi posted:Unfortunately, the ABMax lights are not in production yet, and if current trends are any indicator, it's going to be quite a while before they roll off the assembly line. Really? The June 1st Pre-order/July 1st shipment date was just announced 2 weeks ago? I'd hope they could stick to that.
|
| # ¿ May 13, 2009 20:35 |
|
|
evil_bunnY posted:Yeah it's a shame you're on such a deadline. Wait, what? Power from the mains? Edit: As for gear, I have plenty to get me by for shooting weddings for the rest of my stuff. I also tend to focus my wedding photos on the formals anyway, those are what I find people enjoy the most. The main purpose lights would serve me is for band promos though, at least that would be my intent. I've wanted lights for years, but wanted to get a few better or more varied lenses before I got into lighting. rockcity fucked around with this message at May 13, 2009 around 21:18 |
| # ¿ May 13, 2009 20:53 |
|
|
evil_bunnY posted:As in from the grid. Or a 20-pound battery system. Ok, gotcha. I thought you meant I needed other lights to run them.
|
| # ¿ May 13, 2009 21:19 |
|
|
Yeah, portability to me isn't as big of a concern, at least not in the size/weight aspect. If I went with the new AB Max light, I can get a portable power source for considerably less than the price of a vagabond, which makes the system portable, just heavy as hell. I'll take the heavy weight in exchange for the increase in ability.
|
| # ¿ May 13, 2009 23:30 |
|
|
From what I've seen of them. The 10 foot general stands are poo poo, the 13 foot air cushioned stands seem to be pretty nice. It looks like I'll probably wait until June 1st to see if it looks like they're going to be able to get those AB Max shipped out in July. What do you guys think of that PLM thing they have coming out as well? For the money, it's looks like it would be a pretty nice and versatile modifier.
|
| # ¿ May 14, 2009 02:10 |
|
|
Hmmm yeah, that looks like a decent deal on their stands too. Seems like their comparable air cushioned stand is about $30 cheaper even.
|
| # ¿ May 14, 2009 17:46 |
|
|
Just put in my pre-oder for the new AB Max 640 along with one of the PLM systems, a cyber commander, transceiver, carrying back, receiver for my flash, carrying bag and a beauty dish. They said that so far the shipping of July 1st should be on schedule and they will be contacting me in a month to confirm everything. I am excited.
|
| # ¿ Jun 1, 2009 17:06 |
|
|
poopinmymouth posted:Question. This guy's portraits are amazing. Specifically the testigos series. Yeah, it looks like one softbox of some kind. You can see it in the subjects eyes. It has to be a fairly big one too because of some of the spill hitting the backdrop in most of the photos.
|
| # ¿ Jun 2, 2009 12:21 |
|
|
brad industry posted:Some of you have no idea what a specular highlight is. Yes, those are just blown out spots, not specular highlights. Your suggestions to fix it would work, but you're defining specular highlights completely wrong. Specular highlights are where the reflections from the light are bouncing off the subject at an angle that goes right at the camera. So if they were specular highlights, you'd either turn the subject a bit, or move the angle of the light. Those spots are just over exposed.
|
| # ¿ Jun 24, 2009 18:44 |
|
|
Copulatory Method posted:Would you guys recommend getting the PCB speedring with the purchase of an alienbees monolight or should I get one when I pick up a softbox? Well if you get any other modifier for your light other than a PCB one, you're going to need it, so I'd say just buy it.
|
| # ¿ Jun 25, 2009 17:16 |
|
|
Still no set ship date on my AB Max/Cyber Commander/Other stuff order, but they do still anticipate starting the shipments this month. I should be near the top of the pre-order list since I called in my order the morning of june 1st, even before you could pre-order online. I'm hoping it comes before my friend comes to town. I wanted to do a portrait shoot with him.
|
| # ¿ Jul 2, 2009 15:25 |
|
|
SoundMonkey posted:They still just have renderings on their website, not a single actual photograph of even a prototype unit. I wouldn't hold your breath. I'd be willing to bet they haven't even started production on the new poo poo yet, if they even have working prototypes. Photos of the AB Max Those look like photos to me. Also, this is the email I got back from them. "We know everyone is eagerly awaiting the new products and although we do not have an official date as of yet for when they will be released we are anticipating beginning shipping sometime this month. We will keep our website updated with any new information about the estimated release date. If you have any other questions or need anything else please let us know." They've also had working prototypes since early May.
|
| # ¿ Jul 5, 2009 02:54 |
|
|
SoundMonkey posted:Are you kidding? The front might be a photo, the back is a render. Oddly enough, they don't seem to have photos of any products featuring LCDs. Yeah, the back is still probably a render, but the front is a photo. Supposedly according to paul they had working prototpyes back in mid may though. I'm still hopeful to get my stuff this month, at least before the wedding I'm shooting in early august, otherwise I have to call and change my order completely.
|
| # ¿ Jul 5, 2009 04:07 |
|
|
Luk3 posted:And they won't be able to function on non-pure sine wave inverters which was the biggest selling point for me. That's a pretty big dissapointment. Yeah, this is solely why I was waiting. I could justify the light if I could have a power supply for 1/3 of the price of a vagabond. Looks like I'm re-doing my order. Edit: Made my order. So sometime next week I will be the happy recipient of two B800's, a set of cybersyncs and a large foldable octobox. Already have stands so I'm good there. Fun times to come. rockcity fucked around with this message at Jul 8, 2009 around 15:21 |
| # ¿ Jul 8, 2009 13:38 |
|
|
TsarAleksi posted:Let me know what you think of the Octabox when you get it-- I've heard mixed reports but it's very tempting to buy everything (ie speedring + box) from one place so I'm pondering it. It came highly recommended by a friend of mine. She said its a lot better than their softboxes and that the foldable ones are really nice.
|
| # ¿ Jul 13, 2009 10:16 |
|
|
Interrupting Moss posted:It's hard to talk someone out of buying new equipment when really that's all they want, but if you're looking to pick up more business you have everything you need already. Learn to use that single light (assuming you have a lightstand and a simple modifier like an umbrella) and you'll make some nice extra coin and then you won't be worried so much about cost of new equipment. Lighting gear tends to hold it's value really well though, especially Alien Bees. Typically you're only saving a small amount of money on an Alien Bee light buying it used unless you just catch someone who wants them gone asap. You're average light AB light used is maybe $30 cheaper than buying it new, which would give you the full length of the warranty. On a side note, my two B800's come to my house tomorrow, oh boy oh boy oh boy.
|
| # ¿ Jul 14, 2009 21:22 |
|
|
TsarAleksi posted:What would be a good easy modifier for a hotshoe flash to go out and buy as a 'my first modifier' type thing? I have umbrellas and a brolly box for my AC strobes but nothing for the smaller flashes. I really like my lumiquest stuff. I have their softbox and the 80-20 bounce with all the reflectors. Both of those are pretty awesome and cheap.
|
| # ¿ Jul 16, 2009 18:06 |
|
|
You can also set up your flash to fire more than once for interesting effects.
|
| # ¿ Jul 23, 2009 12:55 |
|
|
Verman posted:Or do you need Brand A monolight with a Brand A speedring, and whatever brand softbox you want? This. You're buying the speedring to fit the specific light you have. Modifiers for the most part are sort of universal in their connectivity so that they can be used with any light. But, because not every light is made the same way, you need that manufacturers speedring to attach to the modifier so that if can attach to the light.
|
| # ¿ Jul 31, 2009 17:08 |
|
|
I decided to have a little fun and take some photos while I was in my halloween costume. 
|
| # ¿ Nov 1, 2009 00:18 |
|
|
DJExile posted:Holy I actually used a tripod and a 10 second delay timer and took every shot myself. Sadly, this was actually shot in my garage, we don't have a lot of caves in Orlando. The cave photo was from a trip to Hawaii I took a few years back. I just did a lot of color tone work to get it close enough and did some blending to get it too look right.
|
| # ¿ Nov 1, 2009 02:21 |
|
on all of this, this is amazing. Where do you live that you have a perfect cave background? Was it all your setup or did you have a friend working the camera?
|
I decided to snap a few quick photos of my dog while I had my lights set up for that Legends of the Hidden Temple shot. Here's my favorite from the few I took. I was happy with the way her coat looks in this, which was basically what I was trying to do. Just looking for some critique on how I lit the photo. I only wish I had black seamless for this.
|
| # ¿ Nov 9, 2009 23:04 |
|
|
If you have a tripod, off camera lighting is as simple as a longer exposure and firing the flash manually. Though personally I think artwork is best in natural light so I'd just tripod the shot and forget the flash.
|
| # ¿ Nov 10, 2009 04:48 |
|
|
I know a few people on here have travel gear so I was hoping you might be able to give me some personal suggestions. I'm looking to snag a hardshell case for my two AB lights for airline travel. I have a couple weddings to shoot that I need to fly out for coming up, so I'm going to need a safe way to fly with them. I've been looking in to Pelican and Storm cases. Both of them get great reviews so I'm not worried about that, I'm looking for more of sizing help. I already have a decent sized camera backpack that I snagged over the summer since I outgrew my Tamrac system 6. The backpack holds just about everything I need aside from my lights, including my laptop. So really all the case needs to hold is my two AB lights. Ideally I'd like some room to put more things in there, but not enough to where I'm not really using most of the case. My friend has a Pelican 1650, but that thing is way more than I need. Does anyone own anything smaller that can comment on it's carrying capacity for lighting gear? I'm not worried about stands or anything, I plan to find a used hardshell golf case on craigslist to carry all that stuff along with cords, etc.
|
| # ¿ Nov 24, 2009 16:06 |
|
|
brad industry posted:I have a 1650 that I have flown with, it rules. If you don't need that much space just go down to whatever pro photo gear place you have in your area and look at the Pelican cases because they come in literally every shape and size. Yeah, I've been looking at the 1610. I think the 1650 might be a bit of overkill for what I need it to do. My friend has one and it was bigger than I thought it'd be. I need to find a decent pro photo place down here. It's mostly all ritz or really lovely sleazy stores. That's what I get for living in a tourist hole. I think the most important thing for my lights is the depth. I plan to leave the reflectors on which means they have a minimum dimension of 7.5". Given that the lid is about 2" of foam and I'd want at least an inch of foam below it I figure I'd need an internal depth of 10". The 1610 seems to be one of the smaller ones that would accompany two lights with some room to spare. The other option is the Hardigg 2620, which is pretty similar in size, I think a couple inches smaller even.
|
| # ¿ Nov 24, 2009 21:35 |
|
|
Well I am less than pleased. I went to do a photo shoot today for a client only to find out that the bulb in one of my B800s is dead. I've only had them a couple of months and have used them maybe 5 times so far. There's no way it should have died by now. I don't know anyone's who's even died yet, let alone with such little use. It worked fine for my last shoot and since then they've been stored in a closet, in their padded carrying bags, so it wasn't exactly mis-use. Edit: On a good note I snagged a hardshell golf case for all my light stands, octabox and other gear for $40 off craigslist. rockcity fucked around with this message at Nov 28, 2009 around 20:57 |
| # ¿ Nov 28, 2009 20:52 |
|
|
noss posted:Your strobe-tube or your modelling light? I cannot for the life of me keep a modelling light working in one of my profotos. No, the flashtube. I don't use the modeling lights really and I always let me stuff cool down. I've only used them about 5 times in total. According to the Alien Bees site, the flashtubes last around 250,000 pops. I might have used 1,000. It's definitely faulty, I'm gonna call them on Monday. They're supposedly pretty good about backing up their stuff and hopefully will just send me a free replacement.
|
| # ¿ Nov 29, 2009 02:18 |
|
|
brad industry posted:Those padded bags they come with aren't very much protection, you might have busted the bulb while you were moving them around. I keep all my heads in the Pelican cases with foam and have never broken a bulb in like 5-ish years. Yeah, I plan to keep them in my Pelican when I get it. I'm just shocked that it failed that soon. Visually I don't even see anything wrong with the bulb, I had to swap it with my other one to make sure that's actually what the problem was. I'm definitely careful when moving them in the bags. Between when they worked and when they didn't they probably moved all 50 feet. I moved them from my garage to my closet, then to my car, then to the shoot. It's definitely making me want to keep a spare in case something happens again, I'm just hoping they'll cut me some slack and replace it for free as it certainly wasn't mishandled on my part.
|
| # ¿ Nov 29, 2009 12:25 |
|
|
noss posted:Now I know this is likely a stupid question. You haven't gotten your fingers on the bulbs, right? Just like changing headlamps in your car, if you get finger oil on the bulbs, they are NOT going to last long.. Usually in my experience when you do this they shatter but maybe you only got a little on the wire wrapping, and it no longer makes a circuit. Just a thought.. Nope, I never touch them. I actually used my lens cleaning cloth to remove it to swap the bulb with my other one to test to make sure it was the bulb. I really think it was just a faulty bulb of some kind, I honestly can't think of anything I did that would have messed it up, especially since it worked through the entire previous shoot. I'll see what AB says tomorrow. Edit: Free replacement will ship today and get here Wednesday. This is why people say their customer service is awesome. rockcity fucked around with this message at Nov 30, 2009 around 16:52 |
| # ¿ Nov 30, 2009 00:31 |
|
|
noss posted:Yeah, those fuckers are potato-mashers. Have fun blinding people for profit. He said it was probably just faulty. He had me check a few spots on both the bulb and the unit itself to check for any signs of problems, but everything checked out. He said the bulbs are under warranty under I believe a year, so that's good to know.
|
| # ¿ Dec 2, 2009 13:07 |
|
|
squidflakes posted:Remember how I said the Cybercommander was now available for order and I was going to review it when I got one? Yeah, unless you put in your name for pre-order a long time ago, you get put on the wait list. I was offered a chance to buy one maybe a month or so ago, but I'd already scrapped that for just a normal set and didn't have the money at the time to upgrade.
|
| # ¿ Dec 7, 2009 17:55 |
|
|
Hot Cops posted:Hrm. From what my friend told me you're not allowed to bring it as a carry-on. She got stopped with it at security.
|
| # ¿ Dec 9, 2009 01:11 |
|
|
brad industry posted:You can check it, but yeah no carry-ons. Yeah, and if they get anal about electronics on the plane I imagine they might not like a giant battery and inverter that you could probably kill people with...even if you just used it as a club.
|
| # ¿ Dec 9, 2009 03:52 |
|
|
As I recall from my friend dealing with security I think the problem was more with the inverter and battery combo vs just one or the other.
|
| # ¿ Dec 9, 2009 21:17 |
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 19, 2013 13:15 |
|
|
Just got my Pelican 1610 today. This thing is built like a tank, you guys weren't kidding. Plenty of room too, easily fits my two B800s with room for a lot of extras too, possibly even a third light should I get one.
|
| # ¿ Dec 17, 2009 21:00 |
|
