My first attempt at studio type of photography.

[dean]

I am new to studio portrait photography. I only got into it since I knew I was having my first kid, and I was going to refuse to take her to Babies R Us photo lab or any other type of portrait place. I'd figure I could maybe do it better, cheaper and it might be fun. I've seen the crap my friend has gotten and it wasn't all that for what he paid and you can't get the original digital copy but only a lo-res pos picture. Here are my first attempts today. In case anyone asks,

These were taken with a Nikon D70 with (2) Alien Bees B400 flash units, (1) Large Photoflex softbox, (1) 46" Umbrella, Boomstand w/ 48" disk reflector, 10' Ft stand with a 4' Savage Super White seamless back ground paper and I used a Sekonic 308-S flash meter, which is awesome and a Radio Flash Trigger Transmitter and receiver to fire the strobes wirelessly. I got a total of 4 rolls of paper. 2 whites and 2 blacks. I bought some more crap that I didn't list since It wasn't used.

[speedminded]

wow. period.

[A.P. Photography]

Great shots Dean. Sounds like you got a nice studio set up.

[speedminded]

i played with the 1st one some...

[DnBmama05]

omg those pictures are BEAUTIFUL! I'm no professional photographer or anything so I'm sure my opinion doesn't matter as much, but they are great. That baby has got a HEAD FULL of hair! wow. I love the mommy and baby picture

[Ericp]

very nice pictures, good job

[Chuckster]

...

[DnBmama05]

LMAO

[dean]

wow. period.

Thanks man.

Great shots Dean. Sounds like you got a nice studio set up.

Thanks. Yea, I pretty much got everything I need for now. I might need another strobe for a total of three in the future. Having a flash meter helps big time.

omg those pictures are BEAUTIFUL! I'm no professional photographer or anything so I'm sure my opinion doesn't matter as much, but they are great. That baby has got a HEAD FULL of hair! wow. I love the mommy and baby picture

Thanks. I am no pro either. It's just a hobby for me. I am happy they turned out o.k. for my first time doing this.

very nice pictures, good job

Thanks.

[TeeJay]

WOW, absolutely stunning pics man, +2

[sport_122]

that is great man!

[BTLFED]

Those pics are fantastic!

LMAO @ Chuckster!

[spoon91]

She's Beautiful Bro.

[Kevykev]

They look great, why didn't mommy get her hair done?

[atlantamx3]

looks good- but I dont like the square reflection in her eyes. Can that light be softened with a white sheet or a gel something?

[dean]

looks good- but I dont like the square reflection in her eyes. Can that light be softened with a white sheet or a gel something?

The square reflection is due to the softbox since it is square. Round catchlights come from using umbrellas, but I like the softness that a softbox gives vs a umbrella. I could back the softbox up then the light wouldn't be as soft since I would have to increase the power. Typically with softboxes, you want to get pretty close to the subject like 2-3 ft away. You can't really avoid it unless you pshop it.

[speedminded]

The square reflection is due to the softbox since it is square. Round catchlights come from using umbrellas, but I like the softness that a softbox gives vs a umbrella. I could back the softbox up then the light wouldn't be as soft since I would have to increase the power. Typically with softboxes, you want to get pretty close to the subject like 2-3 ft away. You can't really avoid it unless you pshop it.

http://www.alienbees.com/moonunit.html

[fawk_you]

what a cute little girl!

[dean]

http://www.alienbees.com/moonunit.html

A) it is too small. My softbox is 36x48x25. That thing is puny and it's made so you can stick your camera in the hole and move it around, which is kinda dumb for portrait photography if you want to keep a key and fill lights at 45 degrees off the camera axis. My softbox can light up 3 adults from head to toe.


This is the size of my softbox on a light stand. The same unit.

[con]

great pics.......wish I had your ambition as I've spent 100's on crappy photoshoots and haven't been pleased with many of the results.

[jdmfrisky]

nice

[Princess12]

Wow... those are great!

[pinkandgreen]

Those Pictures are Great!

[Boneswiss]

Just curious... how much did you spend on your setup... Your daughter is beautiful... Congrats

[Kelly]

Oh my Lord, what a beautiful baby!

+1 and congrats!

[dean]

Thanks a lot to everyone who posted above. She is a beauty and a big eater.

great pics.......wish I had your ambition as I've spent 100's on crappy photoshoots and haven't been pleased with many of the results.

Thanks. That's the reason why I bought my own crap and took a chance. It will be under my terms, and I will have the patience to get the best shot possible for my child, and the benefit to own the original digital copy and not be held by the balls and forced to get prints done at whatever portrait place. Granted up front I spent a good bit of money, but over the long run it will be better and cheaper. For one child, my co-worker already spent $450-500 for 1 1/2 yrs of pictures so far at a portrait place in the Avenue. They had a 2nd kid recently and that will be another $400-500.

Just curious... how much did you spend on your setup...
Your daughter is beautiful... Congrats

The ballpark figure is around $1400 shipped. Here is a list of the crap I bought. Someone else on a photography forum also asked me the same question and was wanting to buy what I got. The pictures I shot above with her were taken with the small 53" roll of seamless paper. I got the big roll when the time comes to do a family portrait. I might need another light to blow out the white if I use the big roll of white paper. I haven't tried yet.

Here is also a diagram on the layout of the shots.



From http://www.BHPhoto.com
--------------------------------------

Impact PSNOV06151 Multiboom Light Stand and Reflector Holder REG
$44.95


Impact PSNOV06150 5-in-1 Collapsible Circular Reflector Disc - Gold, Silver, Silver/Gold, White and Translucent - 42" REG
$34.95


Impact PSNOV06152 Background Support System Including Stands, 12' 4-Section Crossbar, Bag REG
$84.95


Photoflex PHLDLQ LiteDome Q39 Softbox, White Interior for Flash Only - Large - 36x48x25" (91x122x64cm) REG
$123.95


Sekonic SEL308S L-308S Flashmate - Digital Incident, Reflected and Flash Light Meter REG
$189.00


Savage SABGP5320 Widetone Seamless Paper Background - 53"x 12 yds. - #20 Super Black REG
$19.50


Savage SABGP531 Widetone Seamless Paper Background - 53"x 12 yds. - # 1 Super White REG
$19.50


Savage SABGP1072 Widetone Seamless Paper Background - 107"x 12 yds. - #20 Super Black REG
$39.95


Savage SABGP1071 Widetone Seamless Paper Background - 107"x 12 yds. - # 1 Super White REG
$39.95



From http://www.AlienBees.com (You get an extra 10% off the prices below if you are currently a college student.)
---------------

(2)AlienBees B400 Flash Unit ($225 each.)

Radio Flash Trigger Transmitter (for DSLR) ($40)

Radio Flash Trigger Receiver (for the strobe) ($40)

13-foot Air-cushioned Light Stand ($99)

(2) 48-inch Translucent White Umbrella ($30 each)

(1) The LGSR Speedring - TO USE WITH THE PHOTOFLEX SOFTBOX ($30)

(2) The AlienBees Single Light Carrying Bag ($13 each)

[Danny]

Dean, wow man. Those look great. Looks like you have a great studio. I must say your model is perfect, cutest baby ever.Stick with your style, i didnt like what speedminded did to them.

[dean]

Dean, wow man. Those look great. Looks like you have a great studio. I must say your model is perfect, cutest baby ever.Stick with your style, i didnt like what speedminded did to them.

Hey thanks Danny. It would be very hard to get a bad pic of my little girl; she knows how to work the camera. Speedminded PS was a little to softened for my taste.

[Danny]

Hey thanks Danny. It would be very hard to get a bad pic of my little girl; she knows how to work the camera. Speedminded PS was a little to softened for my taste.

Shes yours, very nice. Your a lucky man.

Yes speedminded was too soft. We pay thousands to get a sharp image.

[dean]

Shes yours, very nice. Your a lucky man.

Yes speedminded was too soft. We pay thousands to get a sharp image.

Thanks. I am lucky to have such a healthy big baby. Here a few new ones on a black background.

[PSINXS]

thats the cutest baby ever. she looks JDM.

[speedminded]

Thanks. I am lucky to have such a healthy big baby. Here a few new ones on a black background...

Same light setup, softbox and reflector? (minus the bg light of course)

[dean]

Same light setup, softbox and reflector? (minus the bg light of course)

I used the 9ft background paper and only the softbox on the left side. No reflector or other lighting. In the beginning, I used two lights. One on the right side and it looked like shit. It wasn't a softbox but a 46" umbrella firing away so it reflected back. It was overpowering it. I metered it at a 1:1 ratio but it was too strong. I should of done a 1:2 or 1:3. I just dont like umbrellas. I might buy myself another softbox. Easier to throw and control the light. The images are so much nicer with a softbox.

[speedminded]

I used the 9ft background paper and only the softbox on the left side. No reflector or other lighting. In the beginning, I used two lights. One on the right side and it looked like shit. It wasn't a softbox but a 46" umbrella firing away so it reflected back. It was overpowering it. I metered it at a 1:1 ratio but it was too strong. I should of done a 1:2 or 1:3. I just dont like umbrellas. I might buy myself another softbox. Easier to throw and control the light. The images are so much nicer with a softbox.

exactly, i'm not a fan of umbrellas at all and the work i've seen with softboxes i wouldn't have it any other way....plus softboxes work great w/ cars too

[A.P. Photography]

Shots look great Dean. I have basically the same set up but with B800's and Muslin Backgrounds.

[dean]

Shots look great Dean. I have basically the same set up but with B800's and Muslin Backgrounds.

Hey thanks. Do you find the AB800 to be to strong or are you having to have the power turned all the way down just to use it? How are you liking the Muslins? I thought about getting some but I didnt want to deal with the wrinkles. The paper is nice, but sucks that it takes up so much room to get out and store and setup.

[A.P. Photography]

Hey thanks. Do you find the AB800 to be to strong or are you having to have the power turned all the way down just to use it? How are you liking the Muslins? I thought about getting some but I didnt want to deal with the wrinkles. The paper is nice, but sucks that it takes up so much room to get out and store and setup.

Depending on the model I shoot anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 power on the B800's. I have never had to go over 1/2, blows the shot out too much. My reasoning behind the B800 is I am building a portable studio to use with models and cars and wanted the extra power the B800 offers, but that is down the road.

As for the muslins, yeah the wrinkles are a pain in the rear. With white you can shoot high key and kill the wrinkles with lights, black you are fine with pretty much anytime, and the only one I worry about too much is the gray. All of my shots so far have been with a single light so the white in some of my shots shows wrinkles but with a two light set up it is easy to wash them out with the flash. I have a friend who shoots with paper and I love the way it looks but hate the shipping costs and trying to store it. I guess when I move to a bigger studio I will get paper but for now the muslins work well.

[dean]

Depending on the model I shoot anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 power on the B800's. I have never had to go over 1/2, blows the shot out too much. My reasoning behind the B800 is I am building a portable studio to use with models and cars and wanted the extra power the B800 offers, but that is down the road.

As for the muslins, yeah the wrinkles are a pain in the rear. With white you can shoot high key and kill the wrinkles with lights, black you are fine with pretty much anytime, and the only one I worry about too much is the gray. All of my shots so far have been with a single light so the white in some of my shots shows wrinkles but with a two light set up it is easy to wash them out with the flash. I have a friend who shoots with paper and I love the way it looks but hate the shipping costs and trying to store it. I guess when I move to a bigger studio I will get paper but for now the muslins work well.

I will have to get a muslin and try one out. Did you order yours online? I've seen some decent priced ones at backgroundoutlets.com

Here are a few more from today. I think I will be stopping the freebies to my friends. This will be it.











and last one with my daughter with her jacked up hair...

[speedminded]

I will have to get a muslin and try one out. Did you order yours online? I've seen some decent priced ones at backgroundoutlets.com

Here are a few more from today. I think I will be stopping the freebies to my friends. This will be it.

hahah, goooood luck! lemme know how that works out for you As for the Muslin we picked up three (3) 10' x 20' for $135 + $18 s/h off eBay...one white, one grey, & one black and came in 3 business days.

Thinking about going to Brandsmart or wherever and getting a steamer, with our 9' x 9' muslin i've hung them up and spray it down with a water/starch mix I use for ironing my clothes...spray it down 2 or 3 times and pretty much all the wringles smooth out Like Matt said, the black you don't see and the white you can wash out with a backlight.

[CHADbee]

+3 to dean for some freakin amazing photos