video: episode 13 , beautiful portraits with just one light
June 2, 2008 – 12:01 amIn this video we’ll look at three fundamental styles of portrait lighting. Whether you’re using a studio strobe or a Strobist setup, this is a great intro to portrait lighting with just one light. Just as in last week’s quality of light video, we’ll be using the inexpensive Genesis 200 1-Light Kit from Calumet.
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View the still images from the shoot (along with EXIF data in this photo gallery:
Many thanks to our friends at Heyman Talent for providing the wonderful talent!
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29 Responses to “video: episode 13 , beautiful portraits with just one light”
Thank you very much for this video!
This really helped me on some decisions and how to setup my images.
I really like your series. This teaches me much about light and more. Thank you.
Love to see more
Greets,
Martin
By Martin from Hamburg on Jun 2, 2008
A great video !!! Tx you very much !
Hope you gonna do some more on that particular subject !
Regards,
F
By Frederic on Jun 2, 2008
Thanks, guys! Yes, next week will be another portrait video, showing the classic three light portrait and how the lighting is “built” around the subject.
By Jim Talkington on Jun 2, 2008
This is great. Even though this weeks information is very basic it never hurts to review. The site is getting better and better. Can’t wait till next week.
By Mike C on Jun 2, 2008
Thanks for another good video. I had been wondering what Rembrandt lighting was and now I know.
By Craig Lee on Jun 2, 2008
Thanks for another great video! I appreciate the time and effort you put into these videos because, for me, it’s easier to see something in action (video) rather than see the set up or read about the process.
By Mel on Jun 2, 2008
@Mel, same here… They also help to build up confidence in studio photography.
Jim, Was the lighting kit you used the Genesis 200 kit from your video last week? Also, what did you use to sync your camera to the strobe?
Thanks for the great video!
By John Brainard on Jun 2, 2008
Thanks for another useful lesson.
I have a feed for your site which I check most days.
Great work.
BK
By Brian Konstantinou on Jun 2, 2008
I chanced upon your site only last night and was amased at the amount of brilliant information you have made availiabe. Although a complete novice I have found the content and presentation very informative on each of your video’s, your latest on portrait lighting has simplified and explained a concept that I have found difficult to understand from a couple of well recommended books. Have you written any photographic books yourself ?
By Andy on Jun 2, 2008
Wow, just found your site via Google Reader and it’s right on the spot. This video is pure gold. Have heard all these terms (butterfly lightning, rembrandt lighnint etc.) before, but never seen them explained so good! -one improvement could be if you would point out the different lights on the model’s face (or paint a little red triangle on the photo for clarification).
Will check out your blog now.
Greetings from Spain
Dennis
By Dennis on Jun 2, 2008
Hi John, yes the lighting was all provided by the Genesis 200 kit again this week. I’ve become pretty attached to it over the last couple weeks. And, at $170 complete, it will also be a great kit for me to loan out to photo assistants when they ask. Our studio uses the Quantum Radio Slave 4I Set (Frequency A)
for triggering, we’re pretty heavily invested in the system. I do have a $99 (complete) Calumet Four-channel Radio Flash Trigger Kit
on the way. I set up a strobe outfit for a client with one of these and it seems to be an absolute bargain.
Andy, I haven’t written any complete books but maybe the content in this website will end up in book form someday. You never know! Hmmm, you’ve given me another project I need to look into…
I agree about highlighting the photos in red, Dennis, that will most likely be done in the future. Thanks always for suggestions, it helps me to know what things look like on “the other side of the internet connection”.
I really appreciate hearing your comments and am glad to see people are finding the site in all different ways. It’s a great compliment any time the site is mentioned in a forum or shared with friends because it’s helped them out. Thanks for spreading the word!
By Jim Talkington on Jun 2, 2008
Thanks Jim. I am seriously considering ordering the Genesis 200 Kit and the Calumet Radio Flash Trigger Kit you mentioned. I think I just might do that.
By John Brainard on Jun 2, 2008
John, good luck with your decision. I try to stay pretty neutral when it comes to “what camera to buy”. And strobes, too, because there are some really good brands out there. But at the current price it’s a really low risk, low cost entry. If you get hooked on studio lighting then something like the Genesis 400 2 light kit could be added later, creating a low cost but nice quality 3 light system. Calumet is also a proven company with good support and 29 locations worldwide, so they’re doing something right. Hey, let me know if you make a purchase!
By Jim Talkington on Jun 3, 2008
Thanks Jim. I’ll certainly let you know what I decide.
I enjoy your blog and am looking forward to reading your next post on digital workflow.
By John Brainard on Jun 3, 2008
Jim, question on the Calumet 4 channel kit. Is it possible to buy additional receivers and what is the maximum number of receivers that you can sync?
Thanks,
Mike
By Mike C on Jun 4, 2008
Mike, I didn’t know the answer to that one so I called Calumet’s 1-800 number and Bill quickly gave me the scoop: additional receivers are $59.99 and are Calumet item #CF0046. The item is not yet on the website but is in stock, I’ve been told.
Since they are wireless there should be no limit to the number of receivers set up, if I understand your question correctly, they’re just responding to a signal. Technology keeps coming down in price…
By Jim Talkington on Jun 4, 2008
That’s great news. Thank you for your effort Jim. I’ll be ordering a couple of these this week.
By Mike C on Jun 4, 2008
Hello Jim. Thank you once again for sharing your knowledge.
How do you compare the Calumet 4-channel Radio Flash Trigger Kit with the Pocket Wizard (besides price)? Or are they not the same thing?
By MB on Jun 11, 2008
Some great tips here. Sometimes it’s nice to go back to the basics.
Looking forward to the three light setup!
By Bo Boswell on Jun 12, 2008
nice, thank you so much for the video guide
it really helps!
By Calbeee on Jun 15, 2008
I would like to thank you for all the help you provide with these video’s. I look forward each week to the next one. and the way you put across the subject is just right for me well done keep up the good work.
By joseph franklin on Jun 18, 2008
Hi Jim,
Great videos on your site. I have the 2-light Genesis set and am enjoying it quite a bit. A couple of questions for you - you mention on this 3-light video using a light with grid spot on the reflector. Do you use a different reflector than the standard Genesis one or do you remove the modeling light which gets in the way?
The second question is could you do a future video on metering exposure for portraits? You speak in this video about repeatability and understanding metering would help, I think.
You are doing great work.
By George Welch on Jul 26, 2008
Hi George, thanks for the ideas. Metering is always a good subject, I’ll try to work it into future videos.
I use the standard Genesis reflector with a grid attachment that Calumet sells. If you go to their site just do a search on “Calumet 3/8″ (9.5mm) Grid for 8″ (20cm) Wide Reflector” and you’ll find the one I use.
By Jim Talkington on Jul 27, 2008
From looking at the gallery and the EXIF data, you were shooting these at ISO200. Is there a reason for this? instead of shooting @ ISO100? Also does it effect the final image that much?
Great videos really helping me learning with the small powered strobes
By Andy T on Aug 3, 2008
Thanks for the outstanding video! I will meake treasure of your advices..;)
By Francesco Giusto on Aug 4, 2008
Hi Andy, the images were shot at ISO 200 because I was shooting with new strobes and wanted to have more flexibility with aperture choice. It turns out there was plenty of power and ISO 100 could easily have been used. 100 would have given slightly better quality but I don’t mind using 200 when / if necessary. Higher than that with the 20D, though, is probably not ideal for studio portraits.
By Jim Talkington on Aug 4, 2008
Hello.
Unfortunately, the video is no longer available. I’d love to watch it, so could You upload it once more? I’ll be very thankful
Regards
paul
By paul s on Aug 6, 2008
Hi Paul,
Sorry you’re having problems with the YouTube videos, nothing has been pulled down. It seems like YouTube is having these kinds of problems all over the ‘net. I created a post with links to some suggestions, hopefully they’ll get you back up and running!
Let me know how it works out,
Jim T.
By Jim Talkington on Aug 6, 2008