Thats what I am looking for is really long strip boxes and I notices yours were really long. The link you sent me is that for both the softbox and grid? Thanks for the info Alex! Also did you mean they are or arent the easiest to break down and reassemble? I plan on taking these puppies on the road!
Yes. They come with the grids included. The grids are probably the most cheaply made piece the box but they do the trick.
And I meant they're NOT that easy to break down & reassemble. Typo sorry. It's not that they're horribly difficult. I'm just spoiled by the Paul C Buff boxes I have. The PCB boxes fold up just like an umbrella. The strips I have do so more like other boxes. They have a speed ring that attaches to the strobe. The speed ring has little holes all the way around it. The box has 4 "poles" that you slide into the the sleeves and then get inserted into the holes in the speed ring. It's almost like a putting up a tent. Everything is held up with tension.
I can imagine if you're a small person, it may be hard to maneuver the box around. I don't find it difficult at all though, just not as easy as the PCBs.
I've got two Buff softboxes, the only thing I dislike about them is the material they are made of. It is some type of Heavy plastic material that I repeat is heavy. Maybe I have an older style. Larson has about the best but they are very pricey.
So while at the mall, we picked up a couple of hats for her. My wife is not a hat wearer but she wants to start wearing hats. This is the one she liked the most and wanted to wear it for this portrait.
3-Light Setup
Key Light: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/5.6
Kickers: 2 AB400s in large gridded strip boxes metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector
She woke up feeling pretty cruddy but she was still up to taking our daily portrait for the project. Same light setup as the day before since I didn't want to fuss to much with her not feeling well. This was a one shot deal, literally.
3-Light Setup
Key Light: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/5.6
Kickers: 2 AB400s in large gridded strip boxes metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector
Very similar setup as Day 26, except I added a round white reflector on her left side, right outside of the camera frame. I also lowered the main so it was at the same height as her head. In Day 26, it was about two feet over her head and pointed down.
3-light Setup:
Key Light: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/5.6
Kickers: 2 AB400s in large gridded strip boxes metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - camera left
Fill: Round white reflector - camera right
Kicker: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6 - camera right
BG Light: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/4 - camera left
Absolutely Hack. If I've learned anything from this project so far is that a kicker makes all the difference in the world. You mentioned earlier in this thread that most Pros have 1 or 2 light setups that they learn and master. Well, I've figured out that my favorite is the 3 light setup I've used on most of these shots. That combo, with varying light ratios, can give you a pretty wide range of professional looking shots.
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - camera left
Fill: AB400 in gridded strip box - not metered, adjusted to taste
Kicker: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6 - camera right
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - center
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Alex - I was reading the reviews on the strip boxes you sent me the link to and they say they dont really fit the Alienbees very well. Have you had any problems with them? I have an Einstein as well and it is a tad bit smaller and I am worried it wont fit.
Alex - I was reading the reviews on the strip boxes you sent me the link to and they say they dont really fit the Alienbees very well. Have you had any problems with them? I have an Einstein as well and it is a tad bit smaller and I am worried it wont fit.
I just went through my order history on Amazon and realize I listed the wrong link. It's actually this set of strip boxes on I own. They were sold as a pair. I don't have any issues with the speed ring fitting my ABs.
I just went through my order history on Amazon and realize I listed the wrong link. It's actually this set of strip boxes on I own. They were sold as a pair. I don't have any issues with the speed ring fitting my ABs.
OH... and I will go back an edit the other post in case someone else stumbles on it.
Thanks Alex. Sorry for all the questions, but when it says 2 front screens and one baffle is it referring to the inner difusion panel, the front diffusion panel, and the grid?
Thanks Alex. Sorry for all the questions, but when it says 2 front screens and one baffle is it referring to the inner difusion panel, the front diffusion panel, and the grid?
I'm looking at the link now and I'm not really sure. It's been a long time since I ordered them but I recall the grids being specifically mentioned in the ad and also pictured. I'm not sure if they changed the ad but I don't see it now.
When I ordered them, they came with an inner diffuser (baffle), the front diffuser and the grid. I think they may have also come with a nylon bag too but not sure.
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large round reflector - right
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - center
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector - below but not pictured
I'm no expert by any means, but I find myself gravitating towards Day #31 and the shadows the setup produced. I think it really did your wife's skin tones justice. Definitely like it more than Day #32. As a side note, I've very much enjoyed your posting these and the setups. Seeing the results has been very educational.
Glad you're enjoying the thread. I was starting to worry that people have had just about enough of my photos of my wife.
Yeah. I agree with you on Day 31 compared to some of the recent ones. Although, I really do like Day 30 as well. I actually have Day 30 set as my wallpaper on my phone. With that said, I think today's photo, Day 34, is pretty damn great. Haven't uploaded it yet. Will do later today. Just need to take the pull back shot which I forgot to do this morning but I still have everything setup.
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector - right
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector - directly under main
Comments
Yes. They come with the grids included. The grids are probably the most cheaply made piece the box but they do the trick.
And I meant they're NOT that easy to break down & reassemble. Typo sorry. It's not that they're horribly difficult. I'm just spoiled by the Paul C Buff boxes I have. The PCB boxes fold up just like an umbrella. The strips I have do so more like other boxes. They have a speed ring that attaches to the strobe. The speed ring has little holes all the way around it. The box has 4 "poles" that you slide into the the sleeves and then get inserted into the holes in the speed ring. It's almost like a putting up a tent. Everything is held up with tension.
I can imagine if you're a small person, it may be hard to maneuver the box around. I don't find it difficult at all though, just not as easy as the PCBs.
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So while at the mall, we picked up a couple of hats for her. My wife is not a hat wearer but she wants to start wearing hats. This is the one she liked the most and wanted to wear it for this portrait.
3-Light Setup
Key Light: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/5.6
Kickers: 2 AB400s in large gridded strip boxes metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector
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She woke up feeling pretty cruddy but she was still up to taking our daily portrait for the project. Same light setup as the day before since I didn't want to fuss to much with her not feeling well. This was a one shot deal, literally.
3-Light Setup
Key Light: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/5.6
Kickers: 2 AB400s in large gridded strip boxes metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector
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So she felt worse this day. We took a photo but on the condition I would absolutely not share it with anyone. So no photo for day 24. Sorry.
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Decided to get a little more creative. Went with a jazzy, low key look. She's wearing one of my straw fedoras which has never looks so damn good.
2-Light Setup:
2 x AB400, each in a large gridded strip box about 2' behind her and 1.5 to the sides. Both metered at f/5.6.
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3-light Setup:
Key Light: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/5.6
Kickers: 2 AB400s in large gridded strip boxes metered at f/5.6
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Very similar setup as Day 26, except I added a round white reflector on her left side, right outside of the camera frame. I also lowered the main so it was at the same height as her head. In Day 26, it was about two feet over her head and pointed down.
3-light Setup:
Key Light: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/5.6
Kickers: 2 AB400s in large gridded strip boxes metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector
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The pull-back would be much easier for me but I can continue doing the diagrams if you guys find them more helpful. Let me know.
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3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - camera left
Fill: Round white reflector - camera right
Kicker: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6 - camera right
BG Light: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/4 - camera left
Pull Back:
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Personally, I prefer pull backs.
"The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." - Ansel Adams
3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - camera left
Fill: AB400 in gridded strip box - not metered, adjusted to taste
Kicker: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6 - camera right
Pull Back:
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3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - center
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Pull Back:
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Question for you as a photographer photographing a client, which side do you feel is the lesser side?
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I just went through my order history on Amazon and realize I listed the wrong link. It's actually this set of strip boxes on I own. They were sold as a pair. I don't have any issues with the speed ring fitting my ABs.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005G5VZ6C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
OH... and I will go back an edit the other post in case someone else stumbles on it.
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I don't think she has a preference. For me, I think I like her right side more than her left.
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Thanks Alex. Sorry for all the questions, but when it says 2 front screens and one baffle is it referring to the inner difusion panel, the front diffusion panel, and the grid?
I'm looking at the link now and I'm not really sure. It's been a long time since I ordered them but I recall the grids being specifically mentioned in the ad and also pictured. I'm not sure if they changed the ad but I don't see it now.
When I ordered them, they came with an inner diffuser (baffle), the front diffuser and the grid. I think they may have also come with a nylon bag too but not sure.
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3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Pull Back:
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My Smug Site
3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large round reflector - right
Pull Back:
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3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - center
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector - below but not pictured
Pull Back:
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Yeah. I agree with you on Day 31 compared to some of the recent ones. Although, I really do like Day 30 as well. I actually have Day 30 set as my wallpaper on my phone. With that said, I think today's photo, Day 34, is pretty damn great. Haven't uploaded it yet. Will do later today. Just need to take the pull back shot which I forgot to do this morning but I still have everything setup.
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3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector - right
Pull Back: I forgot to take it, sorry guys
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3-Light Setup:
Main: AB800 in 2x2' soft box metered at f/8 - left
Kicker left: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Kicker right: AB400 in gridded strip box metered at f/5.6
Fill: Large white reflector - directly under main
Pull Back:
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