New Alien Bees - first shots...thoughts?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/12/2005 06:52:59 PM · #1

Got a pair of AB800's. Haven't had much to time to play with them yet, but I took these while my kids indulged me, and even got a shot of a nephew. How do they look (other than the fact that my backgrounds are a bed sheet and blanket)? I note in some that both AB's show up as catch lights...is that acceptable, or should I have the lights in different positions?

Neuferland

Google Pixel 2

10/12/2005 06:59:25 PM · #2

Very nice but you are right on the double catch lights, a bit distracting.

Deannda
I'm jealous!

totaldis

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/12/2005 07:13:33 PM · #3

different positions.. but dont let my opinion mean anything.. im novice at best.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

10/12/2005 07:17:30 PM · #4

Now pull them away from the backdrop and/or shoot with shallower DOF so that the background is defocused. And play with ratios of lighting when shooting portraits (try 4:1 to see if you like it).

probus

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/12/2005 07:34:56 PM · #5

Not bad! I think dwterry is right about blurring the background and playing with the ratios. You can lose the second catch light in PS. Can't wait to get my AB800; it arrives tomorrow.

alanfreed

Nikon D6

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/12/2005 09:14:32 PM · #6

I've seen very high-end magazine photos with two very obvious catchlights. It can't be that big a sin...

petrakka

10/12/2005 09:21:22 PM · #7

create some drama with your lighting. your subjects are exposed all over the place, no shadows. shadows make things interesting. I know ya just got em, just a thought though.

hblake

Nikon Coolpix 5700

10/12/2005 09:29:08 PM · #8

If your lighting was set up the way I think, all you had to do was stop down either of the lights a bit...so that one light is brighter than the other one. The modeling lights will guide you on that. Try it out...do different stops on the "underlight." You'll get the idea right quick.

I'm jealous. I'd love to have a couple of 800s. (Sigh)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/12/2005 09:50:44 PM · #9

Thanks for the comments. :-)

I agree - I need to blur the backdrop a bit (move models, control DOF) and play with more creative lighting. This was pretty much crank 'em up and see what they can do! Eventually, I may glance at the owner's manual (but probably not). I have better backdrops on the way, and then I think I'll be able to position the runts better so the backdrop isn't so noticeable....that assumes of course that they will sit still for more than 5 pics which has yet to happen.

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/12/2005 10:20:46 PM · #10

Originally posted by dwterry:

Now pull them away from the backdrop and/or shoot with shallower DOF so that the background is defocused. And play with ratios of lighting when shooting portraits (try 4:1 to see if you like it).

I'm all new to this lighting business! What do you mean with the ratio 4:1 and can someone please explain the catch light situation?

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

10/12/2005 10:50:11 PM · #11

The first one is just timeless. I love it.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/12/2005 10:54:22 PM · #12

Makka-

I assumed the 4:1 ratio referred to the power of the two strobes....have one at about a 4 times higher setting than the other. As I shot these pics, the two lights are basically about the same power which gave a more even exposure across the frame - few or no shadows.

The catch lights are the reflections of the lights in the eyes of the models...it's most noticeable in the second picture - you can clearly see two light reflections in the eyes.

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/12/2005 10:55:40 PM · #13

Originally posted by Patents4u:

Ahhhh....sweet! Cheers mate! :)

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/13/2005 10:08:13 AM · #14

Originally posted by Patents4u:

I note in some that both AB's show up as catch lights...is that acceptable

Very acceptable. My portraits often have multiple catchlights, and IMHO, helps to "brighten" the eyes.