full length shots

Hey Steve, what size umbrellas for full length shots on folks over 5'3". I have a 48"octobox that works when backed up, but loses some of the soft and wrap. I was thinking of a pair of 60" that are reasonable or 84"'s that aren't as reasonable. Maybe a 30x60 softbox key with a 60" umbrella fill?

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Originally Posted by MJS

Hey Steve, what size umbrellas for full length shots?...Maybe a 30x60 softbox key with a 60" umbrella fill?

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Michael, tough to give a perfect answer to this one. Depends on your shooting and lighting style.

First of all, I can't remember the last time I shot an adult full-length in the studio. When I was in Miami, I used light panels for that kind of thing (standard is 42"x78" - I use two lights: one top one bottom). I'm always touting them here, as they are easy to make, and infinitely cheaper than professional gear.

As for now, I rarely light subjects evenly from top to bottom, so fall-off from boxes or umbrellas is not a concern. If done right it adds to the style (drama) of the shot. In fact, I often grid a flash now to have more of a spot effect on my subject's face.

Bottom line is I think you answered your own question with your last sentence. The 60" modifiers would most certainly do it... :cool:

I've veen using a 20 and 30 degree grid when needed to control spill also, these shots are for my daughter's dance school on white seamless, just brining them in one at a time for full length shots, no real time for a stylized shot, more of a uniform look for the Mom's. I figureed the softbox and umbrella would be about the easiest combo.

Thanks.

Did you ever get a battery/inverter rig for taking the ringflash on the road?

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Originally Posted by MJS

Did you ever get a battery/inverter rig for taking the ringflash on the road?...

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Yep, and it works great. Here's a fashion preview from my new ezine. Shot with the ringflash on location.

Model: Mai Linh Select Agency Orlando
Hair/MU: Adres Austin

Very cool shots. Do you shoot straight flashtube, or with one of the onboard modifiers? All my models lately put me in Dad mode since they're 6th through 12th graders at the my school or my daughters dance school.

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Originally Posted by MJS

Do you shoot straight flashtube, or with one of the onboard modifiers?...

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For these, I used the larger reflector dish (behind flash tubes), but without the front diffuser...

Hey! Is that motion blur with a ring flash?

Oh the memories... :D

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Originally Posted by Sebastian

Hey! Is that motion blur with a ring flash?

Oh the memories... :D

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Yeah. The only difference is I did it right this time... :p