[danieljamesphotography]

Hi everyone,

I'm running my own photography business now however despite having many clients and happy results it still takes me 30mins+ to get the settings right on the flash and camera due to constantly having to take the lights down (home studio for now).

If i post up a few shots of the room and lights could anyone advise of the ideal layout given the circumstances and a few ideas on camera settings please?

I know it sounds stupid but lighting is something i really struggle with in the studio and would love to be able to setup in 10mins or something and know the lighting will be right and not tempted to throw my 40D out the window

I'd take a course in it but i haven't the time due to the business

thanks in advance

Daniel

[Dave]

As long as the room you are using can have all ambient light removed, then in theory once you have setup once, as long as you make a note of the following, you should be getting near perfect shots each time

- Custom WB for the lights , (or if shooting RAW you can correct in lightroom / Photoshop)
- Power settings on each light
- Position of each light
- Position of model
- ISO / Aperture / Shutter Speed

Some example positions I ran here :- Elinchrom D-Lite 4 Kit - Review of shots taken from 1st test

Using near lowest power settings on lights (400W) , as I was less than 6 ft from subject, with camera at ISO100, 1/125, f/8 ... or there abouts.

[danieljamesphotography]

thanks i'll have a go tonight, i really need to invest in a softbox i think

[Dave]

Originally Posted by danieljamesphotography

thanks i'll have a go tonight, i really need to invest in a softbox i think

Are you using umbrellas at the mo ? Reason I ask, is in a small room you'll have light spill all over the place, which could explain some of your problems ? The softboxes are a lot more controllable in that environment

[Larne]

I used to struggle with lighting but then I got a digital lightmeter. I just use that to check the correct settings and transfer them to the camera in manual mode. Since then I have never had a problem.

Then again I am not a professional so maybe I just have a very simplistic view of things.