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In Association With:
Prolinca
Studio Flash Systems
A Simple Guide To Studio Lighting
Techniques
By Chris Burfoot A.M.P.A. A.R.P.S.
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4 With and without a white reflector.
You can totally change
the look of a portrait
just by changing the
background colour and
adding a back light! Now
we have a completely
different look.
As you can see from the diagram, this is Hard and Soft Together!
the same set-up but with the addition of
a back-light which “lifts” the picture from There is no reason why a hard light
the page. source cannot be mixed with a soft one.
But for a totally different look, let’s try It has the advantage of giving a very
“Butterfly” lighting with the softbox. This flattering effect, but still retaining some
is achieved by placing the main light “punch”. Have a look at the shots below
directly in front of the model, but quite and before you look at the diagram, see if
high. As you can see this gives light you can work out where the lights are and
from above, so our shaded side is now what accessories I have used.
underneath her chin. Incidently, this
technique is called “Butterfly” lighting
because the nose shadow is supposed
to resemble one! (I’ve never seen it
myself!)
Honeycomb
Draped nets
5 Main
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Shooting with two softboxes up a 70x70 softbox has been placed
at one side to give the effect of light
through a window. A reflector panel on
the right bounces the light back to fill
the shadow side.
The easiest way to photograph
products with a shadowless
background is to use the Colorama
Mini-Cove which can be painted any
colour you like.
Use the diffuser cover when reading flash. If the reading from the first position
On/Off control. is, say, f11 that is what you set on
your camera. If the reading from the
Mode button and mode
display. Used to set
background light also gives f11 the
Flash/Daylight mode background will be the same density
Shutter Speed
When the flash is
as the subject.
fired correct aperture
is shown here.
For a lighter background increase
Set your film speed
Sync lead from
the flash head
the power so that the reading is more
with this button. plugs into here.
than f11 e.g. f16 (= one stop brighter)
For a darker background the reading
should be f8 (=one stop darker). Tip:
If you run out of adjustment on your
head it can be moved closer for more
In the picture above I have shown a
light or away for less. - Double the
typical flashmeter and its functions.
distance = 2 stops less.
They will vary from make to make
The same principal applies to hair
but most are similar in the way their
and back lights. - Easy isn’t it!
controls function. The meter above
also works with ambient light which is Learn the rules - so you know
very useful if you are combining flash how to break them properly!
and daylight.
7
the reflected light can add to the fill
Lighting accessories. and pick up colour casts!
We have already discussed the more Softboxes:
popular accessories like honeycombs The softest of all - and the bigger they
and snoots let’s take a look at what are the softer they are. Their effect
they do. is similar to the shoot-through brolly
Snoot: but the light is much more controlled.
The Snoot produces a hard edged For head and shoulder portraits a 60
circle of light or 70cm square
and is one of the softbox will work
most popular well. For half to
accessories. It three-quarter
is conical in length the
shape and fits 100cm square
onto the front of is better (can
a head. Mainly used as a backlight or even be used for full length if your
hair light with good tight control. subject is not too tall)! If you ever get
Honeycomb: the chance to use an Elinchrom Octa
The honeycomb produces a soft you will be spoilt forever!
edged circle of light. Mainly used as Focussing Spots:
a back or hair light or for putting We have all seen the spotlight effect
a graduated circle on stage which gives a perfect circle
of light onto the of light. The same system is available
background. for studio flash. Within the Elinchrom
Many people and Prolinca ranges there are a
(including myself) number of “spotlight” accessories.
prefer the effect of The Minispot:
the honeycomb to This has a focusing lens and a
the more harsh effect of the snoot. separate holder for “gobos” and
A variety of honeycombs are available filters. “Gobos” are metal discs with
which give different angles of various patterns
illumination. Honeycombs are often cut out of them,
used with coloured filter gels to which can
change the colour of the be projected
background. through the
Umbrellas: spotlight to
We have already discussed the give different patterns of light on the
various types of umbrellas. To recap: subject or background.
Silver brollies are very efficient, this The 18/36 Zoom Spot:
means very little light loss. They give This provides a similar effect to the
a punchy sparkle to your pictures. Minispot but also has a zoom control
W h i t e to vary the angle
reflective of illumination. It
brollies give is supplied with a
a natural soft complete system
light, which of accessories
is ideal for including masks,
children and gobos, a filter holder and filters.
older people. Translucent (shoot-
This is just a small selection of the most
through) brollies give the softest,
popular accessories. Take a look at
most diffused light. However, they
www.elinchrom.com or the system leaflet
are not so efficient. In a small room 8 for more ideas!
Your Notes
M u st visit
N ote - c hrom
E l i n
The N ote -
te at Ch
Web Si .com On-Li eck out the
nca www.t ne demos o
www.eli heflash n
centre
.com
9
Quick Reference Guide
Main
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Page 4. Using one head with a brolly and a backlight with Page 6. Shooting still-life
honeycomb and reflector panel