Lighting portable, portraits, Statik dancing
February 2nd, 2009
In order to be as mobile as possible for a project of portraits, I tried to zip up the necessary equipment for shooting portraits artificielle.Comme light at the moment, natural light is very discreet I work more and more artificial light.
The main problem when you're on the move is just clutter, walking with two studio flash (not to mention the generators), light boxes, heavy tripods to support the weight of the flash, extension cords ... it quickly becomes very difficult to make a simple portrait. If you are familiar with Strobist nothing very new in this article.
The goal here is not to put any type of configuration forward, but rather to choose the most appropriate tool possible.
The flash does not replace the cobra studio flash, it does not offer the same power, not recycling the same time but has other advantages.
My second step was to move to a solution based on keeping the cobra flash for studio work with small boxes in light of LumiQuest ( read the article on the subject ), the weight and bulk are already significantly reduced but not enough for my taste.
My criteria were simple, all elements must not exceed one meter long and everything should be as light as possible.
My choice turned to the tripods from Manfrotto Nano stand, there are 48 inches folded to a maximum length of 190 inches all for less than a kilo. For dissemination, two umbrellas and a small snoot home based on a cereal box and gaffer.
Here with a configuration of an umbrella and snoot:
Here with a configuration of an umbrella soft box and a classic:
I ordered the equipment on the site Foto Konijnenberg, the equipment was delivered Friday night, just in time to take him to the evening organized by Darko Statik Dancing with the Bozar in Brussels, just to test this in real and to make other types of images and more images that I produce normally.
Installation of lighting in a small room behind the DJ's:
First test with a warming gel on the flash to get a blue background:
A few examples:
The outcome is very positive, all the elements fit in a tripod bag of 80 centimeters (bought used for 8 euros at Campion) and offers a multitude of possibilities in terms of the Creative Lighting.
So basically if you start, there is no point to invest in studio equipment in the first place, if you have an entry-level housing that allows control of external flash as is the case with Nikon, a tripod, external flash and an umbrella can be a good basis to create interesting light.
For triggering flash units I work with an ER 800 (the D3 does not have internal flash): see previous post on options for triggering external flash.
The day after the evening I went to see Odewa who needed some portraits to illustrate a press kit for the exhibition of his paintings, the same type of lighting, an umbrella shower above the subject and a snoot for the bottom.
Note that if we try to create a black background should be a 3 stop difference between the subject and background, the "problem" of the umbrella over a light box is that the light generated is less directional, so if you wants a perfectly black background, one must remove the subject from the bottom up to prevent stray light from the umbrella bottom.
Another solution is to work with a more directive source as a light box, or simply prevent light from passing with a couple RSS (like a big piece of cardboard)
A similar configuration with a snoot at the top of the model to have a bit of back light
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:55
Ben is really superb. The latest is really pretty. Do you prefer natural light shooter anyway?
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:58
it's different, I prefer natural light because the result is visible directly, but be able to rapidly deploy artificial light no matter the place and conditions is still awesome
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:20
hello ben! played well the quality is go ... I'll be down in the need for a lightweight, fast gear mountable / removable (for prohibited places, the foot!): I will soon receive an umbrella 110 cm with an adapter for flash Cobra (the SB900 in my case) I ordered and umbrella on ProStudioFrance.com (a site advisor) for only 26.49 + 17.99 euros, all associated with reflectors + a tripod that is m ' offered for christmas and I am ready also ... I hesitated with the Lastolite kit tested here by a talented fellow named Paul Arno but the price has tipped the balance ... and congratulations again soon!
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:22
Say what you did to find gels for flash cobra?
The only I found is easy to see my Whaletail: S
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:01
The evenings are pictures of a fall to the ground like portraits, a superb mastery of light! and thank you for sharing this with us
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:20
Good evening Rome
Arno's funny I meet often on a forum
good fun for your kit 
Brik: I reused pieces I re-cut to fit with velcro
Fred P: Thank you
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:27
ah ok so it's funny
, I found his personal website and his talent this weekend looking for a cheap solution ... thank you!)
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:37
Small note in passing for gelatins, there is also the site http://flashgels.co.uk/shop/
February 3rd, 2009 at 24:04
I am once again impressed ...
The penultimate picture is magical.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:38
Thank you Benjamin, I was looking for quite some time actually
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:07
P still like Fred?
Well here's a timely article that I had been looking for a light and portable solution ... on a motorcycle!
Perfect
I will add a reflector to lead.
If I may: am not a fan of the snoot back to the last, that flare too much for my taste.
And for those who spend a little time in photoshop, a bit of 'noise / noise' in very light layers can be degraded very clean, for the funds.
February 3rd, 2009 at 24:52
Ben Yop,
Very interesting article, it's funny because I just ordered a few days ago the famous SU-800 which you referred.
As you say, it will not replace studio strobes, but as light "nomadic" your record is still super clean ... shit!
The photo of the back snoop is nice but I prefer a good big day against
In any case, thank you very much for these valuable tips, bye
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:42
Again thank you for this article. It was enough to think about it and presto, here it is published!
You explain how to place the few / the parapluits, the snoot and other reflectors as well as the impact on the photo.
Your two pictures and backblue handblue are very educational. it would be interesting to push a little further these examples.
Anthony
February 4th, 2009 at 24:00
Very interesting!
I actually asked myself the question of transport of a flash system for outdoor use.
Thank you for this!
February 4th, 2009 at 2:12
Usually I like your portraits at your pictures of the evening, but this time it's the opposite. I find the portrait of this young woman we saw you more creative with light, it lacks sculpture in my opinion. You get out what you usually do and that's good, but it lacks something ...
However your portraits are immaculate in the evening, I love the first and third especially.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:59
Too weird ...
)
I who am an avid fan of your blog and your portraits made in light avalaible (it's like saying pro caa bah .. and then I think there is a lack of clarity on your portraits. Especially what you present in This article or web export problem ... it's me (it must be your eyes, ha yeah it's me ... if you hear us JCD).
Otherwise the scope of portable studio interested in the highest degree, and especially for its size ... its cost. I'll follow the link that I had and that gives me bcp: Strobist.
In the series, the black and white are my favorite type backstage (and these are not portraits, however,
Odewa I really like the first.
As always: thank you very much for sharing and continue to be impressed that even a good level you continue to search, gather, grow ...
February 5th, 2009 at 9:13
Really great, well, this series we feel your "touch".
Would you by chance, a sample picture to see the difference of light on the subject between an umbrella and a softbox?
Since you have experienced both, you could tell us?
Thank you for your site, c of the ball!
February 6th, 2009 at 1:03
Hello to you,
Good as usual, I love your portraits. I also like your post processing and I would approach your level in this area ...
@ + And good pictures of you
Adrien
February 7th, 2009 at 24:19
Hi Ben,
Very nice topic again. Although the config "shower" with a single umbrella. I will test it in Australia.
Your photos are always so clear, beautiful, and well framed ...
February 7th, 2009 at 10:01
Hello!
I am your blog for a long time now and this is the first time I post (There's a first time for everything)
Already, I am very appreciative of your work, I am amazed every time and thank you to share your experiences, you learn a lot.
I just have a question about the umbrella that you are using, is an umbrella and then a translucent white umbrella? I intend soon and I equip myself blocks at that level because ProStudioFrance offers two kinds of umbrella.
Thank you in advance and continue to regale us with your photos.
See you soon
David
February 8th, 2009 at 24:22
davidguinehut: Thank you!
Brik: happy
Fredp: The flare is a matter of taste and for the moment I like
Ta very fair point, add a bit of noise in an alpha achieves degraded cleaner!
Faucher Romain: The SU-800 has advantages and disadvantages but it is clear that it is super convenient! do not forget to turn the head of the flash to ensure that the SU is able to see
Anthony: Yes it's true, I should dig a little about the
D @ double: Thank you
Krysalia: Possibly, I discovered a little this type of configuration to the flash, I am much more used to working in natural light
MickymX: I dropped my hair a boost in my script to resize my screen is very clear (perhaps too) so j'esssaye to compensate for for your comment!
Arnaud: I have no photos of difference, but I can say that the only difference is a more directional light to the box with respect to this by an umbrella or a little in all directions.
Adrian: Thank you!
Merwen: Thanks
David: Both, it is white and translucent, the site given in the article it cost me 8 euros. The fun!
February 8th, 2009 at 2:51
Great article and beautiful photos! That is what you are using as to fix the system flashes the feet? I have the Lastolite kit and flash just fits into a slot that is not no top.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:25
"First test with a warming gel on the flash to get a blue background"
You mean "... cooling gel to obtain a blue background" is not it?
Otherwise I think it is evolving quite well unlike many comments here. You feel that you test in different things and it's nice to see this development.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:26
Snoot for the last photo.
As I understand it, you almost leads to you to have this effect back light?!
February 10th, 2009 at 2:39
Nicolas: The ties with claws flash, no marks on the workpiece
Dati: Gelatine warming on the subject, as I often work for a fairly light blue
In this case yep!
February 11th, 2009 at 5:42
Good example of home-made, great job this light mobile!
And beautiful portraits for Odewa, thank you for all your advice again
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00
Hello!
It's simple, fresh, and natural pro. All we do when trying to trigger with the desire to qqchose that makes sense and respects the subject.
And when a tutorial on your post processing color and black and white? ...
February 16th, 2009 at 24:43
Two practical questions, not wanting to abuse:
Your umbrella soft box is a Jinbei? 80 cm in diameter?
Thank you!
February 16th, 2009 at 3:50
Thank you Jonathan!
Black: I add a little contrast
, The pseudo post-treatment was very lege.
The umbrella soft box, I have no mark on the model, but I think I saw this reference when purchasing
March 16th, 2009 at 11:47
hello ben,
tell me I wanted to know, what are the settings to keep a large PDC when you flash?? We are not required to be f8/f11?? Or should lower the flash output manually and put in a rebound or something??
March 19th, 2009 at 1:54
Yop,
Good first test here , not super successful, I have not managed to integrate fully into my images, but it is very trainer anyway. The next will be good.
A small question about the battery SU-800, has already changed you? If so what is its price and how long you it has taken?
Thank you for all these tips
A +
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:18
Hello, thank you for such interesting reading.
I will soon equip myself a D700 and I thought the flash start with one and in this case a SB900. But reading this article, as I understand it is mandatory to have an SU800 to use the remote flash, I am? (For I had heard and thought that I could control the remote flash with the D700 + SB900 pair)
Thank you for that clarification
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:23
ben say that in this case, the flash of your D700 will fire the flash of SB900
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:54
Ok good ^ ^
But what it does not interfere?
April 6th, 2009 at 9:36
hello to all
solutions are found for cobra flash expensive and not very well done in Honlphoto (the name of the photographer Honl). It seems to have been sold in France in Miss Digital memory.
with Velcro fasteners, it made snoot, honeycomb grids of two kinds of gels and specially adapted to the size of cobras.
Otherwise, home made, just for the gelatin to the transparent and colored inserts in the stationery department of your supermarket. A small pair of scissors and gaffer and that's it for really cheap.
FYI, I wanted to control the light box for Tristar in large cobra. No bowl, the model seems very difficult to supply. I even feel that it is discontinued (all that to say it is no longer sold)
so I cut the Lastolite kit complete story with a light box 60cm. A bit expensive but complete. I will put the results on my site when I receive
Congratulations for your blog, very nice!
cheers
fred
May 11th, 2009 at 11:36
Hello, I wonder if just with the light box tristar, you could do to hold the umbrella or if you buy the adapter + to set foot
Thank you in advance!
November 17th, 2011 at 4:05
Good evening,
and thank you for this article, really good!
My small contribution, in terms of addresses nice, affordable and reliable, I buy my gels and some accessories on Strobist http://www.gelatine-photo.com , and I am very satisfied.
Again thank you for this blog!
Sophie
December 1st, 2011 at 3:05
Hello,
thank you for this feedback very interesting with lots of great pictures to support!
is that the Nano Stand tripods are stable in the case of outdoor use?
Another quick question, what do you think Jinbei brand? you seem happy with the umbrella, you have tripods of the brand?
thank you: o)