the deckcadet

[MJS]

I just got a pair of 20 and 30 degree grids for the alien bees and was trying to dial in a scheme for a CD cover shoot I have coming up. The deckcadet sat in for the musician. I need to dial up the hair light and reposition the reflector a tad.

[Photo-John]

Thats nice. He looks a little more mature since I visited. A little more, I said :P

You should post this on the lighting forum, too. I have some grids but I've never used them. I don't have a clue what they're for. I suppose I could play with them to find out. But I'd prefer someone just tells me...

[MJS]

The grids straighten the light out and help narrow down the field or width of light. Kind of like adding a snoot, but not as tight. Check out the link below and then click on the chart to see the different angles of coverage. I got the 20 and 30 degree grids..

Personaly, I think the deckcadet looks a little older, he's working on the mature part, heh heh heh, just kidding.
http://alienbees.com/hg4x.html
Can you copy this over to lighting?

[photophorous]

Hi Michael,

Looks like a very good shot to me. I discovered last night how hard it is to deal with reflections in glasses. You did a great job with that. I was only able to minimize it, not eliminate it completely as you did. Would you mind elaborating on your light set up?

Thanks,
Paul

[MJS]

The main light, an alien B1600 with a 30 degree grid, was almost 90 degrees to the subject, on camera left Fill on the right was a 52 inch silver reflector. An alien bee 1600 with a 20 degree grid, mounted on a boom was the hair light. I just had deckcadet tilt his head down until the reflection was gone.

[another view]

I have some grids but I've never used them. I don't have a clue what they're for. I suppose I could play with them to find out. But I'd prefer someone just tells me...

Same here... I think you're not supposed to use the modeling light with grids due to heat buildup - correct? One of these days I'll try them (as I've been saying for how long?).

[MJS]

There wasn't any instructions with the grids when I got them, I'll have to give them a call and ask. I was pleased with what it did on the hairlight, narrowing the beam and keeping it off the front of the face.

[deckcadet]

Well, it certainly makes me look intelligent ;)