View Single Post
Re: Metering strobes - together or separately
Old 04-05-2008, 08:07 PM   #8 (permalink)
R_Fredrick_Smith
Free Member

 
R_Fredrick_Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Member GG#: 35872
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth Area
Posts: 3,801
Comments: 42

R_Fredrick_Smith is offline IP: 76.255.55.71
  Reply With Quote

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferrell View Post
Absolutely Digital - yes I'm getting spill but when I use a 4 or 5 light setup I'm finding it difficult to avoid. Perhaps with more flags and barn doors I may be able to achieve minimal spill but it will more than likely be present. Which brings me back to the original question - is the proper technique to meter while all lights are on, assuming some spill will be present.
You normally should meter with all the lights on. You point the bulb at the camera and usually hold the meter beside the face of the subject. Now if you want to determine ratios, you meter each light separately, but all fire together. Point the bulb at the hair light for example. Use your hand if needed to shield the bulb from another light. That gives you the info for the ratio. Same for a fill light --- use the hand to shield from the main.

I do it differently myself. I use the Photovision Target to zero in on the exact exposure and then use the meter if needed to determine power of background light, hair light, etc.

Click for larger version
Re: Metering strobes - together or separately 


For spill control, shoot a test shot, look at where the spill is, and then use flags to control or feathering.

Cheers,
rfs
__________________

"The map is not the Territory"
  View Public Profile Send a private message to R_Fredrick_Smith Visit R_Fredrick_Smith's homepage! Find More Posts by R_Fredrick_Smith