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BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Flash Photography

Photography Question 

Diane T. Phillips 		 

Setting Up a Portable Studio


I'm in need of information on how to achieve "quality" studio portraits. My equipment consists of a Nikon camera with a SB-50DX flash unit on a Stratos bracket. I have had all sorts of problems, from terrible shadows to washed-out images from too much flash. I have been asked to shoot indoor portraits of people and have declined because I am afraid of the results. With so many lighting systems on the market, I have no idea of which way to go. I want it to be portable, but my main objective is quality.


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March 30, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
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Gregory LaGrange's Gallery 		  It sounds like you are putting the flash on the bracket and just shooting. Most portraits you see are done with some kind of diffusion to diffuse the light and spread it out - like an umbrella or a soft box. The simplest set-up would be to use your flash, but get an umbrella and some way to attach it so that you bounce the light with the umbrella. You can use fabric for a background, and if your walls are white in your house, they can act as a fill reflector for the other side.


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March 31, 2004

 

Diane T. Phillips 		  Thank you for taking the time to give me this advice. Am I to understand that I should move the flash off-camera and buy a softbox to mount on the tripod/stand? I also would like to know your opinion on the Omni Bounce. The white wall is also a great tip.


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April 01, 2004

 
pcmlphotography.com - Pamela C.M Lammersen

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Pamela C.M Lammersen's Gallery 		  Hi Diane: You need to be able to move your lights around in order to get different effects and also to flatter the features of your subjects. Good luck.


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April 01, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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Gregory LaGrange's Gallery 		 
 
 
Having the flash come from a direction other than straight on will allow you to get a more portrait look - whether it's off the camera or turning the head of the flash and bouncing it. I'm not familiar with the Omni Bounce, at least not by name. But the prinicple is the same whether it's something like that, or whether it's a wall, or a foam board from a store. So you don't have to buy a soft box, but if it's something that will make it easier to get what you see in your mind, then it would be a good idea. There are soft boxes, umbrellas, and attachments that fit directly on the flash head.


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April 01, 2004

 

Diane T. Phillips 		  Can you suggest a particular lens?


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April 01, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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Gregory LaGrange's Gallery 		  Anything from 50mm to 200mm - depending on how much space you have and the perspective you want. If you want to have some space between you and the subject, a 135 is good. You can always move closer, or back.


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April 02, 2004

 
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