Lighting & Snoots
In the old days we used to use photo lamps. Then we switched to a Paul C. Buff
White Lightning 10,000 studio flash with a 36" x 36" soft box -- which
kicks butt when it comes to traditional film photography. With the advent of digital
photography I went to the basement of our facility and dug out the case of Sylvania
BLUE Superflood bulbs and discovered that after 15 years they still work. There were
twenty of them and the price tag still on the box of $3.40 each. Don't expect to
get that lucky. In today's marketplace you're better off slipping over to the Price
Club or Cosco and pick up a good daylight Video/Cam Corder lamp. You shouldn't have
to pay more than about thirty bucks, tops.
Sidebar: What's a "Soft Box"? -- it's a shroud that goes around
the light source forcing the light through a fabric diffuser. The inside of the box
should usually be aluminum foil lined as a reflector. You can take the diffuser off
if you like, and put the Video lamp inside, pointed up into the box and the whole
rig becomes an umbrella. Either way, it's a source of diffused light... which you'll
see is the key to success. (Dennis Curtin talks about flash. )
Snoots
In a moment we'll look at a diagram of the
typical desktop photo studio set-up. One light off to the right-hand side of the
diagram is functioning as a snoot.
If the object you're shooting is round or perhaps a dark color, a snoot is a hoot.
Cut a hole in a sheet of black card and adjust it BEHIND the subject so that the
light hits only the subject. Now you've got edge lighting which gives definition
to the object. Be careful that the camera doesn't see it, or become effected by the
light coming toward it. (Ever try to photograph something black? You'll need a snoot
for that! See "VDO"
cover story.)
To get the lights to do what they're supposed to you'll need a diffusion...
Introduction Diffusers & Reflectors Lighting & Snoots Building the Backdrop Holder Backdrops Okay... now we're ready to shoot. ... or please continue
