Lighting Setup .psd file

Curtis Cunningham · #1 03-27-2008, 11:52 PM

As I just took possession of my new studio lights this afternoon, I've been searching for help online to help lessen the learning curve. I came across a layered .psd file which allows one to select the different elements of typical lighting setups and place them on a transparent background. I figure this should help me as I practice with my lights. Do a different PSD file for each setup to help me remember what I did to get the lighting effects I did.

In any case, for those who have been looking for something like this, I've attached the .psd file.

I've also attached a shot I took of the new lighting and background equipment which I'm excited about learning how to use.

DougAxford · #2 03-28-2008, 12:03 AM

Make sure that you get rid of the package ceases in your background before you use it. There are a few ways but we prefer to dampen slightly and throw it in the clothes dyer. You can also steam or iron, but the lazy way works best. We like to crumple it and keep it in a bag and it gives us a nice weathered look. Some photographers think it should be crease-free. Too much work and too old style for us.

Good luck and have fun with your new gear.

Curtis Cunningham · #3 03-28-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougAxford

Make sure that you get rid of the package ceases in your background before you use it. There are a few ways but we prefer to dampen slightly and throw it in the clothes dyer. You can also steam or iron, but the lazy way works best. We like to crumple it and keep it in a bag and it gives us a nice weathered look. Some photographers think it should be crease-free. Too much work and too old style for us.

Good luck and have fun with your new gear.

Thanks for the tips Doug. Yeah, getting rid of the creases was one of the first things I asked about when I knew I was going ahead with the purchase. The shot I attached with my first post was taken about an hour or so after everything was unpacked. I'll try the dampen/dryer trick tomorrow. I got a sandstone and a medium slate background (both 10x12) to start.

The other background I have is a roll of white paper. It's on a wooden core about 10 or 11 feet wide. I just have to figure out a way to get it on the background stands I bought. I have an idea how I'll do it, and If I get to it tomorrow, I'll post my results.

Curtis Cunningham · #4 03-28-2008, 06:52 PM

Well I got things set up in my cramped basement. Our sunken living room is right above the basement, so I only have a 7' ceiling to work with.

Here's my basic setup: The only thing not on here is the reflector my wife was holding on her lap to help with the light on her face. I've also included the best shot from the initial testing, and the jerry-rigging I had to do to attach the backdrop pole to my stands (the rope was already attached, as this was what was used previously to raise and lower the backdrop).

Is there anything I'm missing? Anything I could do better?

JeffONeil · #5 03-29-2008, 07:57 PM

Curtis,

You've done a bad thing. You've shown me that indeed I can have a lighting setup in my own 7" basement.

Good luck with the new lights. I'm looking forward to seeing your work in progress.

Jeff

Curtis Cunningham · #6 03-30-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffONeil

You've done a bad thing. You've shown me that indeed I can have a lighting setup in my own 7" basement.

Thanks Jeff. My challenge will be full body shots with the limited height of the ceiling. It will take a lot of trial and error to find the optimal distance from my subject to shoot from. If it works out though (I mean exposure/lighting etc.) I guess I can always crop the top of an image out if I get some of my ceiling in the frame.

The other thing I'm going to try is to turn the axis that I shoot by 90 degrees. The white paper background I have is currently along the longest dimension of my basement. My two other backgrounds (sandstone and slate) aren't as wide as the white background, and so they will fit better across the narrow dimension. This will allow me to shoot from a greater distance to the subject.

Dennis_Vied · #7 03-30-2008, 06:16 PM

Good passport shot of your wife! Remember whatever you did to get the unsmiling pose. That's what they want. (Or maybe you'd rather not remember what you did).

Thanks for the setup file.

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