Forums > Photography Talk > Lighting Setup Tutorials: basic to advanced

Photographer

JM Dean

Posts: 8931

Cary, North Carolina, US

JAY carreon wrote:

This shot is perfect!  The lighting, the alignment of the elements - perfect!

JAY carreon
PHOTOGRAPHER

Thanks Jay. I’m trying to get back to simple lighting. I think I’ve tried to complicate it too much in the past so I’m starting back to the basics.

This one was done with the same 1 halfdome softbox above the model slightly to the left so the stand was out of the picture.

https://www.jmdeanphoto.com/pics/shu3.jpg

Jan 15 07 03:56 am Link

Photographer

JM Dean

Posts: 8931

Cary, North Carolina, US

241

Jan 15 07 03:57 am Link

Photographer

Rob Gillespie

Posts: 813

Bedford, England, United Kingdom

Bump

Jan 16 07 01:48 am Link

Photographer

Matthew Allen MEDIA

Posts: 251

Atlanta, Georgia, US

JonasJ wrote:
Thank you for sharing guys.. here are one of mine. Pretty simple.

This setup:
https://www.jonasj.com/byPetrineLSummer06-LightingSetup_uk.jpg

Gives you:
https://www.jonasj.com/PetrineLSummer06_CatalogPage1.jpg

Hope it's usefull for anyone.. take care

what kind of lights did you use? and what f-stop were you on? - this is a look i'm working on

Jan 16 07 02:02 am Link

Photographer

Carsten Tschach

Posts: 39

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Hi Folks,

where did you all got this fancy little software to do your studio drawings? I checked the Website of Kevin and it your says that there will be a new website. I also tried to mail him, but no response so far....any other sources where to get it?!

Cheers, Carsten

Jan 16 07 02:12 am Link

Photographer

LightLab Studios

Posts: 755

Seattle, Washington, US

This direct link is working for me:

http://www.kevinkertz.com/fm/LightingSetup.psd.zip

I've updated it in the OP.

Tom

Jan 16 07 03:31 am Link

Photographer

JonasJ

Posts: 287

København, Hovedstaden, Denmark

MatthewAllen wrote:

what kind of lights did you use? and what f-stop were you on? - this is a look i'm working on

I always use Profoto storbes. I must say I can't remember the f-stops for that one and the MF camera I was shooting with at that time did not get the Exif data onto the back, so I don't have exif, but I'm gussing something like f22 on keylight. maybe f16

Jan 16 07 07:58 pm Link

Photographer

Jim Ewing

Posts: 4577

Riverside, California, US

This is without doubt one of the most useful threads on MM (or anywhere!)  Can't wait to get a chance to look at everything.

Jan 17 07 02:38 am Link

Photographer

LightLab Studios

Posts: 755

Seattle, Washington, US

Glad you like it.

Hope to see another setup soon!

Jan 18 07 08:21 pm Link

Photographer

Cardillo Photography

Posts: 1360

Palm Coast, Florida, US

LightLab Studios wrote:
This direct link is working for me:

http://www.kevinkertz.com/fm/LightingSetup.psd.zip

I've updated it in the OP.

Tom

This does not seem to work with photoshop elements.  Does anyone know where we might get a version that does?

Jan 19 07 08:00 am Link

Photographer

Cardillo Photography

Posts: 1360

Palm Coast, Florida, US

oops double post

Jan 19 07 08:03 am Link

Photographer

Matthew Allen MEDIA

Posts: 251

Atlanta, Georgia, US

It doesn't work with Elements cuz elements doesn't have folders.

Jan 19 07 02:55 pm Link

Photographer

photos by don

Posts: 120

Cleveland, Ohio, US

Cardillo Photography wrote:

This does not seem to work with photoshop elements.  Does anyone know where we might get a version that does?

there's only this version.

Jan 19 07 03:56 pm Link

Photographer

JM Dean

Posts: 8931

Cary, North Carolina, US

Cardillo Photography wrote:
This does not seem to work with photoshop elements.  Does anyone know where we might get a version that does?

Read thru the entire thread. Someone posted a workaround for Elements and it does work.

**EDIT**Sorry, the workaround is over on Fred's site.

Quoted from his site:

Here's a workaround for Photoshop Elements users:

Download and install GimpShop. It's an 8Mb download and totally free. Be sure to follow the instructions in the readme.txt file to finish the installation. Once you have it installed open LightingSetup.psd and Save As another file name. You can then open it in Elements and all of the available symbols will show up as separate layers which you can turn on and off via the Show Layer (eye) icon. As an added bonus, you now have a very powerful image editing program that is very similar to Photoshop and is completely free of charge!

Jan 20 07 07:58 pm Link

Photographer

Meehan

Posts: 2463

Merrimack, New Hampshire, US

Lovely Front and back lighting.
https://www.bigstarmodeling.com/LightingSetup5.gif

And Result!
https://img5.modelmayhem.com/070121/00/45b2f3f31d0cb.jpg

Jan 20 07 11:04 pm Link

Photographer

David Poata

Posts: 421

Waitakere, Auckland, New Zealand

PORTRAIT/HEAD SHOT

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c213/poata/WJ6T56611.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c213/poata/WJ6T56722.jpg

Jan 22 07 07:21 am Link

Photographer

Rob Gillespie

Posts: 813

Bedford, England, United Kingdom

bump

Jan 23 07 12:21 am Link

Photographer

Wayne Chow Photography

Posts: 586

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

LightLab Studios wrote:
LINK FOR MAKING LIGHTING DIAGRAMS
(provided by Brandon Ching):

Try this: (courtesy of kevin kertz)
new link: http://www.kevinkertz.com/fm/LightingSetup.psd.zip
old link: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/446987

To use...
1) Download file LightingSetup.psd.zip (size 200k)
2) Unarchive the Zip file
3) Open the Photoshop file: LightingSetup.psd. (size 500k)
4) The file defaults with a Background, Subject and 35mm Camera.
5) To view (add) an item, open the appropriate folder and click on the item (as seen below). You click on the "eye" icon to make it visible or to hide it.
6) Move and rotate into place.
7) Save a copy of your finished setup. Don't save over original file (for future use).

Updates:
Sept. 13, 2006 - Original file
Sept. 25, 2006 - Version (1.1) Added Strip Softboxes and Hairlights

Restrictions:
• For personal use and to share your setups only!
• NO commercial use
• Please leave the copyright on ALL setups...Thanks!

How do you use this?  I am a PC user and can't figure it out?  Do you use this in Photoshop?

Jan 23 07 12:48 am Link

Photographer

Brandon Ching

Posts: 2028

Brooklyn, New York, US

Yes.

1. Download the Lighting Diagram.
2. Open the PSD in Photoshop.

Jan 23 07 02:32 am Link

Photographer

Mclain D Swift

Posts: 1279

Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

David Poata wrote:
PORTRAIT/HEAD SHOT

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c213/poata/WJ6T56611.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c213/poata/WJ6T56722.jpg

What is providing the rim light on the right side of the image?

Jan 23 07 09:49 am Link

Photographer

AnthoNYC

Posts: 331

New York, New York, US

Mac Swift wrote:

What is providing the rim light on the right side of the image?

Good question...

Jan 23 07 10:43 am Link

Photographer

Mickle Design Werks

Posts: 5967

Washington, District of Columbia, US

Mac Swift wrote:

What is providing the rim light on the right side of the image?

The beauty dish. 

Larger beauty dish: if conditions and transportation warrants. This larger dish gives more dimension and “wrap-around quality” to the final image. It takes up a lot of space when I’m working on location, but the final look, with the added diffusion baffles, is well worth it

http://www.imaginginfo.com/article/arti … 36&id=1389

Jan 23 07 10:48 am Link

Photographer

M435TRO

Posts: 65

Colton, California, US

Bump Shakalaka Bump....!!

Jan 24 07 12:26 am Link

Photographer

David Poata

Posts: 421

Waitakere, Auckland, New Zealand

Mac Swift wrote:

What is providing the rim light on the right side of the image?

Rim L = a soft box set behind her at about 2 stops less than the Key L  smile

Jan 24 07 05:05 am Link

Photographer

Mclain D Swift

Posts: 1279

Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

David Poata wrote:

Rim L = a soft box set behind her at about 2 stops less than the Key L  smile

I figured there was another light involved :-)  You sure it was powered lower than the key?  That doesn't make sense to me based on how the light looks.

Jan 24 07 11:44 am Link

Photographer

Kai-Huei Yau

Posts: 70

Seattle, Washington, US

Bump.

This should stay on the first page forever.

Jan 25 07 02:13 am Link

Photographer

David Poata

Posts: 421

Waitakere, Auckland, New Zealand

David Poata wrote:
Rim L = a soft box set behind her at about 2 stops less than the Key L  smile

Sorry, what was I thinking when I posted that???? I meant 1 stop over the Key L but was having problems with burn out so kept bumping rim light down guessing bout 2/3 of a stop, sorry again for posting incorrect info, sheesh sad

Jan 25 07 08:06 am Link

Photographer

Jairo Cruz Rua

Posts: 579

Fairbanks, Alaska, US

Hello everyone. I made a diagram with that little PSD file, saved as a JPG. Now how do I get it in my post? I tried yesterday,  and couldn't figure it out.
Thanks
J

Jan 25 07 08:26 am Link

Photographer

East Coast Visual Media

Posts: 690

Altamonte Springs, Florida, US

It might be interesting to see people use ONLY 1 light and as many modifiers for different finally results!

Jan 25 07 09:12 am Link

Photographer

Jairo Cruz Rua

Posts: 579

Fairbanks, Alaska, US

Ok Here I go
https://photo.ringo.com/194/194861240O414966285.jpg
https://img5.modelmayhem.com/070123/18/45b6a07162577.jpg
Gets you the top and middle one. I'll post later for the third one.

Jan 25 07 01:23 pm Link

Photographer

Photog Pablo

Posts: 591

Alamogordo, New Mexico, US

A very nifty tool, a a great thread. My first contribution...

https://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s204/jpimages/web%20graphics/LightingSetup_brandi001.jpg?t=1169762453

And this was the finished result (minor PS work).

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s204 … 1169762540

Edit: I forgot that I could not post an 18+ image, sorry...

Jan 25 07 04:03 pm Link

Photographer

LightLab Studios

Posts: 755

Seattle, Washington, US

Jairo Cruz wrote:
Hello everyone. I made a diagram with that little PSD file, saved as a JPG. Now how do I get it in my post? I tried yesterday,  and couldn't figure it out.
Thanks
J

You need to put the jpeg of your diagram online (perhaps Photobucket), then you can properly link to the image bracketed by this code: [img][/img].

You can always hit "quote" on a similar post to open it up and see how it was done if you forget.

Jan 25 07 04:09 pm Link

Photographer

LightLab Studios

Posts: 755

Seattle, Washington, US

Studio JP,

Beautiful shot and great lighting. Thanks for sharing!

Tom

Jan 25 07 04:10 pm Link

Photographer

Jairo Cruz Rua

Posts: 579

Fairbanks, Alaska, US

LightLab Studios wrote:

You need to put the jpeg of your diagram online (perhaps Photobucket), then you can properly link to the image bracketed by this code: [img][/img].

You can always hit "quote" on a similar post to open it up and see how it was done if you forget.

Thank you, Light Lab.
I have it on my website but for some reason it will not let me link to it. I think it's the security settings on my site.
I'll keep trying.
J

Jan 25 07 04:13 pm Link

Photographer

Photography by Amber

Posts: 192

Mac Swift, would love to know how you lit your avtar image!

Jan 27 07 01:13 am Link

Photographer

David Poata

Posts: 421

Waitakere, Auckland, New Zealand

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c213/poata/WJ6T5606.jpg

Jan 27 07 01:18 am Link

Photographer

The Rock Photography

Posts: 115

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

david,

love the lighting. and thanks for the behind the scenes image too. love seeing them.

Jan 27 07 02:07 am Link

Photographer

Lucisang

Posts: 158

Wow, this information is awsome for someone like me who is trying to learn.

but seriously, of all this thread, the very first example just blows my mind! I find myself going back to that picture just to see it again. It's become my favorite example of a great picture with great colors and lighting.

anyways, thanks for this thread.
sorry i have nothing to contribute, im a noob with noob equipment smile

Jan 27 07 03:57 pm Link

Photographer

David Simpson Images

Posts: 1328

Bangor, Maine, US

A  K.I.S.S. light set up  keep it simple stupid  LOL

https://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/371296495_7f6f6cbbe2.jpg?v=0
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/371293478_2280ec4d08.jpg?v=0

Jan 27 07 06:44 pm Link

Photographer

Mclain D Swift

Posts: 1279

Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

Photography by Amber wrote:
Mac Swift, would love to know how you lit your avtar image!

The redhead on my old one?  Simple.  A 36"x48" softbox to camera right literally just out of frame level with the model and a 16"x48" strip box placed below her at about her mid thigh level and pointing straight up.  Kind of a neat effect, eh?  My new avatar was done the same way but I used a white reflector camera left and just out of frame.

Jan 27 07 09:26 pm Link