Advice for setting lights up

[Paul Swift]

I recently took delivery of a Lastolite Lumen8 Lighting Kit from here http://www.markcleghorn.com/news/lumen8-lighting-kit-offer-less-than-half-price

Are there any guides / books on how to set the lights up properly just to get me started.

I have had a go, but could do with some help.

I also noticed that the trigger cables dont fit my Canon but the flashes worked why I enabled my on camera flash. I am guessing I dont want my on camera flash working as well so I need to get remote triggers.

Thanks for any help.

[chaz]

This is a rubbish diagram of an often used set-up that I use, the ratios can be changed to 3:1, 5:1 or whatever suits the subject and light placement, it is a good starting point, it is best to do a set-up take notes of effect achieved, move lights, ratios, subject, etc, take notes and so on.

[Dotty.c]

I recently took delivery of a Lastolite Lumen8 Lighting Kit from here http://www.markcleghorn.com/news/lumen8-lighting-kit-offer-less-than-half-price

Are there any guides / books on how to set the lights up properly just to get me started.

I have had a go, but could do with some help.

I also noticed that the trigger cables dont fit my Canon but the flashes worked why I enabled my on camera flash. I am guessing I dont want my on camera flash working as well so I need to get remote triggers.

Thanks for any help.
i used a hot shoe adapter before I got my remote trigger, only cost a couple of ££'s are easy to get from most camera outlets

[steveathome]

Hello Swifter.
Two set-ups, one basic key light with reflector for fill and one more with additional lighting.
Generally, try and keep your fill light as close to the lens axis as possible, otherwise you could end up with cross lighting / cross shadows, of which will not look natural.
Hope this helps

[Paul Swift]

Many thanks for the help people.

I have my first shoot sometime in the next week.

[Garry_Edwards]

People are always asking this question and the answer is that there is no answer, or at least that the 'correct' lighting arrangement is the one that produces the result you want.

Forget about all lighting diagrams. Working to any kind of formulae is like painting by numbers...

Remember that studio photography is basically just bringing the outdoors indoors, so the light should be natural - and as there's only one sun outdoors there should be only one sun indoors.

Basically this means that you should only use one light on the subject, at least to start with, and that the light should be roughly in a position that would occur naturally, outdoors. See whether that creates problems (shadows too strong, unwanted dark areas etc) and move the light light around until you're happy with it. If you're still not happy, add a reflector to push some spare light around, this will often do the job. If it doesn't, add a second light.

Of course, ending up with 2 or more lights might put you back in the same position as starting with 2 or more lights, but at least their use will be motivated and they'll be in the place that produces the effect you want.

I have some free guides on lighting basics on my own site, unfortunately I'm not allowed to post them here...

Chaz, with respect, Steveathome has shown a fill light correctly. A fill light is always placed on axis with the camera lens, where it illuminates all of the subject as seen by the camera. The 'fill' light in your diagram isn't a fill, just an extra sun.

[tinysmall]

I try and stay away from diagrams and ratios and all the rest of that stuff. I just muck around until it looks good. I seem to have built up a reputation on here that I know what I'm doing, but it's all lies. I just experiment until I'm happy. When I have the lighting sorted and the set how I want it and I'm framed up properly and the model looks good and when I've double checked that everything is sorted, I then press the shutter. Usualy to the response of 'Tiny, did you take the dark slide out?'. That usualy means another exposure because I never remember. :grin:

[Kenny]

I try and stay away from diagrams and ratios and all the rest of that stuff. I just muck around until it looks good. I seem to have built up a reputation on here that I know what I'm doing, but it's all lies. I just experiment until I'm happy. When I have the lighting sorted and the set how I want it and I'm framed up properly and the model looks good and when I've double checked that everything is sorted, I then press the shutter. Usualy to the response of 'Tiny, did you take the dark slide out?'. That usualy means another exposure because I never remember. :grin:


You Bounder Matt....

you just totally destroyed my illusions.I have seen your work and had you down as the Lesley Philips of the studio tog world and then you go and say its all messing abhaaaat....

I'm now burning my studio lighting book and going to find the messing abahhht in't studio book so I can mess abahhhht too.

Bessy regs

Kenny

[tinysmall]

Lmao. :laugh1: Sorry Kenny.