help setting like: hi friends I need some help I was wondering atwhat angle should I set the lights for taking portrait of people should the light be facing the object or away from the...

latoya

hi friends I need some help I was wondering atwhat angle should I set the lights for taking portrait of people should the light be facing the object or away from the object or person.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

latoya wrote:

hi friends I need some help I was wondering atwhat angle should I set the lights for taking portrait of people should the light be facing the object or away from the object or person.

What kind of lights? What modifiers - if any - are on the lights?
There are tons of good books from Amherst Media on lighting. Buy 3 or 4.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Captain C, while you are recommending.... Can you suggest which of those Amherst books would be a good next step after Bryan Peterson's Understanding Flash? My current goal is to master off and on camera flash with just my one speedlight for people and landscape photography. Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the ratios, guide numbers, etc. I'd love to take a course or find a mentor, but haven't found any in this neck of the woods. A book with exercises would be perfect.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Captain C, while you are recommending.... Can you suggest which of those Amherst books would be a good next step after Bryan Peterson's Understanding Flash? My current goal is to master off and on camera flash with just my one speedlight for people and landscape photography. Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the ratios, guide numbers, etc. I'd love to take a course or find a mentor, but haven't found any in this neck of the woods. A book with exercises would be perfect.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

kerfree wrote:

Captain C, while you are recommending.... Can you suggest which of those Amherst books would be a good next step after Bryan Peterson's Understanding Flash? My current goal is to master off and on camera flash with just my one speedlight for people and landscape photography. Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the ratios, guide numbers, etc. I'd love to take a course or find a mentor, but haven't found any in this neck of the woods. A book with exercises would be perfect.

http://www.amherstmedia.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AM&Product_Code=1936&Category_Code=L

http://www.amherstmedia.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AM&Product_Code=1931&Category_Code=L

Allison Earnest is a friend of mine and she has a good one here:
http://www.amherstmedia.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AM&Product_Code=1867&Categor_Code=L

http://www.amherstmedia.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AM&Product_Code=2008&Category_Code=L

http://www.amherstmedia.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AM&Product_Code=1963&Category_Code=L

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

latoya wrote:

hi friends I need some help I was wondering atwhat angle should I set the lights for taking portrait of people should the light be facing the object or away from the object or person.

Start here http://goo.gl/jrhhO

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I would highly recommend Neil Van Neikerk. He has a great website and two excellent books on flash.
Off-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers

On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography

You don't have to be a wedding photographer to use this book and it's the best book i've ever read on on camera flash. Check them out at B&N.

latoya

Thank guys the lights that im going to get 45watt day light bulbs 5500k-400watt with7" light stands an two 32"shoot through umbrellas. Are these items good enough for a beginners portrait studio

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

latoya wrote:

Thank guys the lights that im going to get 45watt day light bulbs 5500k-400watt with7" light stands an two 32"shoot through umbrellas. Are these items good enough for a beginners portrait studio

The 32" umbrellas are really too small. The 42" are much better. Of course if that is what comes with the kit, you are stuck. Just save up a bit and replace those with the 42" versions soon.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Two Thank yous -
To you, Captain C, thank you for the excellent recommendations on flash instructional manuals. The first one on your list by Bill Hurter, looks like the right one to start with and is already on its way. By the way the photos on your website are fabulous - lots to aspire to! Thanks!

And to you Latoya, thank you for asking such excellent, practical questions that we can all learn from! Wishing you fun learning and great success on your photographic journey.

latoya

Thanks kerfree I'm just starting now with photography so I need to ask much as I can so I can learn as much as I can everyone has been very helpful so far expescially captain