Wanted to make my small softbox, even softer and was also testing some novel ways to make a sort of ring-light. Of course, you can't shoot through this kind, but it sort of worked...
And I've no pretty girls to test with, so you're subjected to my weary self portraits... sorry.
Used the bag/shell of the 5-in-1 reflector to create a ring silhouette.
Interesting... but the donut catch light is NOT the only reason to use a ring light. Your images don't show any edge shadows... you used a black background. And a soft box won't produce the ring light's dark edge shadow (see image below shot with a 'borrowed' ring light but not shot through the ring.)
LA StarShooter
Posts: 1,035
Beverly Hills, California, US
Extrosy wrote: Wanted to make my small softbox, even softer and was also testing some novel ways to make a sort of ring-light. Of course, you can't shoot through this kind, but it sort of worked...
And I've no pretty girls to test with, so you're subjected to my weary self portraits... sorry.
Used the bag/shell of the 5-in-1 reflector to create a ring silhouette.
What an interesting lighting experiment. I like the portrait of you kneeling down as it is a good illustration of the possibilities. As the man who posted the biker babe photo pointed out, you don't quite see some of the qualities of a ring light in your shot. Great experiment!
The Effective Image wrote: Interesting... but the donut catch light is NOT the only reason to use a ring light. Your images don't show any edge shadows... you used a black background. And a soft box won't produce the ring light's dark edge shadow (see image below shot with a 'borrowed' ring light but not shot through the ring.)
Good to know. I just like the doghnut catch-lights, which is what I was going for. The kneeling shot was shot through the diffuser but not with the ring so that may also be why you aren't seeing the shadows you expect.
I think I would need a larger black disk to get a thinner ring effect, which would mean cranking up the power of the flash, and probably ISO... The other thing is this allows you to create cut-outs of what ever shape catch-light you want, such as stars?
I must call bullsh*t on your absurd and never before substantiated claims that a model actually flaked on you (or anyone else, for that matter). I suppose you also expect us to believe men walked on the moon and Elvis is dead.
You simply wanted to work even harder than you had planned to and take self-portraits rather than photograph a beautiful young woman with your creative lighting.
We all know full well models NEVER flake, it's a myth, so please drop this ridiculous pretense and apologize to all models on MM (and lesser websites) via a full page ad in the White Knight e-newsletter.
(Seriously though, good work, lighting looks great)
if all you're going for is the doughnut catch light i'd say you did, however, as said above all you have is a doughnut shaped catch light. Aside from that it's effectively no different than any other shoot through light source (umbrella, softbox, et cetera). in fact I'd venture that it does nothing but give you a doughnut catch light.
now, really all you've done is create a gobo or cookie, which isn't anything special... Gaff tape a largish rectangular softbox in a cross/+ pattern and you've got window panes, layer strips of varying size and you can get 'through the trees' catch lights, et cetera. Point is, light quality and type doesn't change much, all you're doing is altering the catchlights (or if your source light is hard enough you can cast shadows 'through' things like windows or trees or whatever...
kudos for experimenting, while you're at it might as well look up 'gobo' and 'cucoloris' (cookie) on google for some examples.
Paul Pardue Photography wrote: kudos for experimenting, while you're at it might as well look up 'gobo' and 'cucoloris' (cookie) on google for some examples.
And the catchlights is really all I was going for, and wanted to do it without buying something I didn't already have.
Oh, and the larger diffuser, which actually worked really well, at a cost of 2 stops of light.
Paul AI wrote: Ouch, she confirmed the night before? I've only had one flake and I should have known something was up when she didn't give me a contact number.
She still hasn't signed on to MM either. Maybe she got in a car accident?
She finally followed up.
A friend borrowed her truck and wrecked it (there was a snow storm that day) and she's been staying at her boyfriend's house who doesn't have internet access.
My Saturday model just cancelled as well (when I followed up) because her shoulder hurts really bad and it's getting worse.
I have never had someone under 18 flake on me. ironic?
= was preparing to get all defensive.
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