Photography Studio and Lighting Forum

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  1. #1
    Godot Enthusiast. dinosaur_hotel's Avatar
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    Jan 2007
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    Monterey, California, U.S.
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    Simple Lighting Setup.

    Hi all,

    I'm currently photographing a classic/vintage guitar collection for a client of mine and I need some advice on a simple, but effective lighting set up. They're photos for his website, basic studio shots.

    I shoot Nikon and have an SB-800 and SB-600. I'm considering getting 2 external lights and shades.Thing is my background is in photojournalism and I know virtually nothing about studio lighting.

    Recommended products for this sort of work?

    Thanks,

    ~ nic
    "There's a Chinese fruit that looks like our house on fire?"
    ~ Miranda July.


    Nikon D50
    Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF
    Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF
    Nikkor AF-D 50 mm f/1.4
    Nikkor AF-D 85 mm f/1.8

  2. #2
    Senior Member cyberlord's Avatar
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    Mar 2006
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    FWB, FL, USA
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    Re: Simple Lighting Setup.

    Nic,

    You already have 2 strobes and unless you are shooting a large group of instruments from any distance they should work out fine.

    You'll need some way to mount the flashes (tripods or light stands) and some diffusers (umbrellas or ripstop nylon stretched over PVC pipe).

    Can't get any simpler than that. Even lighting at 45 degrees or so on each side should produce exceptable results with minimal shadows.

    You could try one light straight on front and back light with the other and gel (color) is for effect. You could also use halogen worklights as accent lights. They produce a nice warm glow that mixes well with strobes (IMHO).

    Take a look at strobist.com and the flickr group strobist.com for some ideas. Most of the stuff there is shot with hot shoe flash mounted off camera.

    Good luck,

    Tim
    My blog - Photography Rulez


    'Slim' - K10D and *ist DL w/ SMCP DA 70mm 2.4 Limited, SMCP-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, SMC M 28mm f/2.8, SMC M 50mm f/1.7, and Tamron AF75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro
    Slim of the Clan O'Canon - A1 w/ FD 28, 50, 70-210 & Sigma 500/1000 f8/f16

  3. #3
    MJS
    MJS is offline
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    Re: Simple Lighting Setup.

    You've got the toys, look at something similar to the following link, it will be just what you need to get started playing around with your current strobes.
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
    Michael
    Nikon Samurai #8
    Avid Editor
    Sony Shogun

  4. #4
    Sleep is optional Sebastian's Avatar
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    Jan 2004
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    Chicago Suburbs
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    Re: Simple Lighting Setup.

    Foam core or shoot-through panels. Guitars tend to be reflective, you'll want nice white highlights to define the form. Illuminated panels, whether foam core with the flash pointed at it or translucent material with the flash shooting through it, will get the job done.

    I would try one flash used for the main light and shoot the second flash at the background, creating a sort of silhouette to separate the items from the BG and define the form that might be hidden in shadow.

    Quick illustration of what I'm (poorly) trying to say:
    -Seb

    My website

    (Please don't edit and repost my images without my permission. Thank you)

    How to tell the most experienced shooter in a group? They have the least amount of toys on them.

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