How to use an entry level strobe kit for Portraits

[djpuppy28]

Backdrop looks like hell

[chewey532]

should you be using a white vinyl so theres no wrinkles??

[pjos111]

Should you not have a light behind her to isolate her from the black background?

[paulietang55]

one thing, you took a full length shot of her in her all black outfit and the white background, but when you showed us the example its a white background but the model is mysteriously wearing a denim jacket, please teach me this trick i am no0t able to do such things with my camera!

[morrisstudios]

@paulietang55 In 3 years you're only the second person to comment on the mixed up images.

[jaizo]

dont see the point of using the flash with the white back ground when you have white walls and window light.

close the blinds would be the first tip i would give when creating dramatic portraiture shooting against a black back ground, second would be burn the muslin and by some paper back drops.

[grayhairandblueeyes]

So what is good about this. TTL - why bother to use anything but a strobe on the camera. What is the value balance? Why two lights. You have said nothing to teach...

[ptlofts]

These vids deserve a better image quality.

anyway, this is very useful info.

[AnGkEr67]

Great tutorials. I would just like to know what would be the minimum size room to setup a studio to get a full size shot. Thank you.

[morrisstudios]

@AnGkEr67 Hard to do in less then a 10x20 space

[agun17]

I'd use a reflector instead of the umbrella and used the umbrella to highlight her hair from the dark background.

I'd also use a bigger apperture to blur the background, futher highlighting the subject thus making her stand out.

[morrisstudios]

Not sure about the reflector and umbrella but it's worth a try.

[LydiaRachael]

Thanks for this, very informative! Can I as what ISO you are using?

[morrisstudios]

100 ISO

[acapmex1]

I have problems with the wireless receiver that came with my studio kit, even at 3 feet distance won't fire the shots of my camera, is very unconcistant, fires 2 out of 6 shots, should I upgrade to pocket wizards? or im just  doing something wrong.

[phirepix]

love every video, The question over and over again! The videos show you taking shots in a well lit room? Is this only for the video? After setting strobes do you kill the lights?

[morrisstudios]

No need to kill the lights. The camera is set to 1/125th of a sec and a f5.6 stop. These settings eliminate the all light with the exception of the strobe flash.

[in2food]

Thank you for answering this question. I am a rank amateur and this basic info in so valuable!!!

[Legendation]

Wow! A olympus camera!!! I have one too, it's a E330! What model is this ? And what lense are you using? :D

[faily86]

Amazing & very informative videos!

Thankyou soo much!

I just need a very quick suggestion... i have nikon D80 and i want to start with a little home studio for portraits...

What tools i need??

What is better for potraits... 2 lights OR 1 light & a softbox?

Is there any good quality starter kit in the market... my range is 200-250.

[morrisstudios]

Not sure that you can get to that price point. You will need to start with 2 lights. Umbrellas are OK to start with. You will need a wireless remote for that camera. I do NOT recommend a sync cord adaptor. Just broke a $1,500 lens because I had the USB cord attached for a seminar. Strongly recommend to keep your camera free of any wires that can be stepped on.

[ejicon]

Great info in here. I just bought a Photogenic Light kit with 2 light units. Any idea where I can get some info on how to operate it? I have it connected to my 5D with a sync cord. The problem I'm having is that I'm shooting in P mode and whenever I click the shutter button, it seems like every picture takes about a second long exposure which blows everything out. What mode should my camera be in? I just need a quick beginners tutorial on how to actually work my light kit. :)

[morrisstudios]

The fix is very easy. Set your camera to Manual. Set the shutter speed to 125 of a second. Set your aperture to f8. Now take a picture. If its to bright, either increase the aperture higher or reduce the power of the flash. Do the opposite if the image is to dark. The key is the Manual settting and leaving the shutter speed at 125 of a second.

[ejicon]

Wowie. That was easy. Worked like a charm. Manual was the only setting I wasn't tinkering with. Everything you said worked as you said it did. Thank you very much for your quick response and for taking the time to answer my question. Beautiful!

[eyetolduso]

What lens are you using here?

[timmyguy13]

Are those heads powerful enough to shoot outdoors?

[morrisstudios]

Not really.

[joekulik]

How much photoshop do you use before you post the photos? Are the photos right from the camera? Thanks

[morrisstudios]

These are the originals with out any adjustments

[charpink7]

This was great with just using 2 lights.

[rob3y3]

Thanks Morris, great tutorial, i just wonder what kind of flash did you use on your camera? was it possible to use the built-in flash? Thanks man and more power.

[morrisstudios]

If you use the on camera flash you will loose the lighting effect from the strobes.

[rob3y3]

copy that, i've watched all your videos, they are awesome, your a big help for all the newbies in this field. tnx.

[apeksidek]

the model is gorgeous.mysterious eyes...

[morrisstudios]

Very blue eye's. Look great

[rearvumirror]

Excellent - helped a lot. Thanks.

[osnatazu]

What kind of light metering you did in those shots?

[morrisstudios]

It's a Gossen flash meter. Look at Sekonic if interested.

[morrisstudios]

It's a Gossen but look at Sekonic, better pricing.

[friendsforever127]

hello...i am looking to do a makeup shoot at home...so would it be the same lighting as this video?? i want white background and soft light on the models face...please help...thanks...

[WhatIsKabbalah]

that's nice, but what camera settings to use? what lense to use? what aperture to use?

[morrisstudios]

That was a Olympus E510 with a 70-200 f2.0 lens shot at 1/125 and f5.6.

[acapmex1]

Great video, I learned alot with this answer.

[acapmex1]

I had the same question thanks man!!

[LuminolBlue]

Awesome review, thanks for sharing.

[blackbrd99]

dont get me wrong though, all depends on what you're doing for. Have fun!

[morrisstudios]

This tutorial was limited to a 2 light set up that comes as a complete kit.

[acapmex1]

I see you used 2 lights, so how come you didn't get a shadow behind your subject and not use a bacckground light?

[morrisstudios]

2 reasons why there isn't a shadow. 1. The distance the model is from the background and 2 the natural light coming in from the window.

[blackbrd99]

Good basic information. Would be nice to see some rim lighting for seperation as well as a nice hair light for the black hair on black background. Good job though.

[rmstudio]

Key thing here guys the Morris lights with that softbox really cancels the whole basic principles of what a softbox works.. The morris lights have the built in reflector.. A softbox only works well if you have a "BareTube" flash head in it.. Otherwise you might as well be shooting with a shoot thru umbrella.. or a scrim with a regular reflector head..

[morrisstudios]

Your comment is valid but the softbox still creates a softer and a more directional light then using an umbrella.

[rmstudio]

Your comment "But the softbox still creates a softer and MORE Directional light than using an umbrella" I think you mean to say even though its not true is to say it the softbox creates a Less Directional or non directional softlight.. But sorry that small of a softbox and a reflector flash unit is about the same as a shoot thru umbrella or scrimmed light source. Do a side by side test and You see its true..

[rmstudio]

Also this would be the limitations of the Morris lights.. They are compact and convient and good for location or the budget priced minded photographers just learning or starting photography. Or those basic portrait or house old setups but the down side is the "Non Bare tube" flash head.. which is only at a disadvantage say when using a softbox only.. Other than that they are fine.. Atleast the flash tubes are always protected.

[d3ano154]

You mentioned a mistake that wasnt seen, and as jinbxls mentioned, there was a rapid clothes change at 4:05. I have also noticed that nne of the stills are from the photo shoot you filmed, at 02:21 The model has a strappy top on, you can see her shoulder, however in the video her shoulders are covered LOL, great video though, very useful thanks!!

[morrisstudios]

Your correct. When I was editing the video I could not find the images from that shoot. I did use images from another shoot that represent the lighting setup I was demonstrating. And as expected as soon as the edit was completed I did find the original images.

[d3ano154]

LOL, I ended up watching the video about 6 times looking for that, great fun!! Still, very usefull video, and great advice for me as Im a novice an looking to get some lighting kit! Thanks again!!

[emforty2]

this is the mark of a Pro...

always ready with whatever equipment

thats needed to do the job right!

great presentation..

[morrisstudios]

Olympus 35 to 100 F2

[blue714photo]

ok my question I have for you is, what type od lense are you using for these shots. the end results are showing a more wide angle shot but the lense on your camera looks like a large zoom. what MilliMeter range is the lense you are using?

[morrisstudios]

Still waiting for the mistake to be found.

[jinbxls]

hehe rapid change of clothes at 4:05 ...

[morrisstudios]

well done

[ShotsbyRick]

What is so great about this video is I bought this same light kit a few months back. It is nice to see it in practical use other than my own sessions. In fact, I like this kit so much, I recently bought a smaller strobe (no model light) by Opus and it works great as a fill.

[mauriceltd]

I want your job !!!!

[ioioio3]

very nice tutorial, thanks, keep up the good work1