phototogomanny

Hi Tara,

See if this will help you...

Manny

http://www.studiolighting.net/lighting-ratios-for-portrait-photography/

I thought the problem was over exposure? Are you metering F8 to F11 turning the Power up and down on the AB'S ? Do you turn the power up or down on the AB and then take a meter reading ? 4 stop difference and still overexposed? You can put a 74 inch Octabox on your AB If they are not set right you will still overexpose. Is it the AB or the meter ? You can use 6 flashes set at different levels but the meter will still average all 6 flashes and give you a pretty accurate F stop ? Over exposed a bit, turn down your main and shoot again.

Manny

Manny<div></div>

Gossen F2 Luna Star !!!! Half the size Half the weight !!! Dead Accurate !!!!!!

Manny D.

Hi Tara,

Seems you have tried the right light placing. Is the meter reading accurate ? Are you placing under the chin with the dome? Calibrated lately ? Using it on Flash mode or Ambient ? Is your ISO set equal on all Parameters? Is your camera on Manual setting ? It could be the settings on the Alien Bees ! You are missing a lot of main details this will be a long Forum..

Manny D.

Hi,

AB's shoot to daylight spectrum. I use daylight setting on my D2x and on My Dcs 760 and the pics are great. It's a smart investment when you can get great quality lights without spending Big $'s

Manny

The first pic was the first try. White and Monitor Balance was off, it was just for you to see the power 1 ab 1600 bounced at my roof on full power lights up a 15x30 room and able to use f11 They have power!<div></div>

Hi,

You need a lot of Flash Power Big heads and True watt second. Fast shutter speed 250 to 500 and for sharpness High F stop ( This is where flash power comes in ), and don't forget athletic individuals that can Jump and Pose at the same time, and forgot the Mc Daddy Background a Tall one !!!!.

Manny D.

Hi,

Get one from Amvona.com with the name Dynaphos they are a Russian Company with the same old school Italian Design and you can pick one up on ebay for $40.00 not $500.00 and they work......

Manny<div></div>

Hi,

Strobes Alien Bees or White Lightning, Soft Boxes Photoflex, Umbrellas Shoot through Photogenic, and a couple of hotlights. Meter Gossen luna Star 2

Manny D.<div></div>

Hi,

Try Gary Fongs Light Sphere II mostly for Flashes. I use 2 on my Nikon SB28DX and the wraparound light and softness is Great, just have to shoot +2 on exposure if shooting Direct. They are made for Bouncing ligh from the roof.

see www.garyfong.com

Manny D.<div></div>

Hi,

I had a Minolta color meter III a Minolta Vf and a Sekonik 358, but now using my Gossen Lunan Star F2 my exposures are on the NOSE, This is an amazing meter and fits in the palm of your hand ! This thing is as accurate as a meter gets, more accurate than the meter in my D2x.

Manny D.

This might help: http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/flash-and-lighting/light-meters/PLR_3115_0CRX.ASPX<div></div>

Richard here is a shot with my AB1600 36 x48 Soft Box Using Kodachrome NO FILTERS .

Manny D.<div></div>

The alien Bee speed ring fits anything.. I use with Chimera Pro, Photoflex and Dynaphos Octa.

Manny D.

Gary,

You don't have to be so hard on him.. You were once eager, happy to start a new venture and jumping the gun when you got emotional about a passion of yours ? or not ?

Manny D.

Hi,

You are a born natural. You can do it ..... Manny D.<div></div>

Hi,

Do I have a Chance to win ?

Manny D.<div></div>

Hi,

Main Reason is Most bodies come with the 50 1.8 which saturates the market, They are most Thailand Lenses Cheesy and Plastic, and they are low Build Quality and Slow 1.8. Try Buying a Japan made 1.4 D

Manny D.

Hi,

Get a small set of Alien Bee Strobes. They get the job done and are greatly priced for a beginner.

Manny D.<div></div>

Hi,

They are awesome ! I use 2 Hot lights 1 Hot Hair Light and 1 alien bee 1600 as my main and I can shoot a 15 to 20 Person Group. They are light, Acurate (measured with my Gossen Luna Star F2), and Great Price. They are really worth every cent. See the Pic

Manny D.<div></div>

Hi,

Get a Luna Star F2 on ebay $145.00 they are usuallt $500.00 plus and they are the best..

Manny D.

Hi,

I would be upset If I paid him $1,500 Plus, If you paid him any less you should not complain... How much did you pay him ? Remember you get what you paid for.

Manny D.

Hi,

D200 that's the one

Manny D.

Hi,

If you spend less than $1,250 for 8 hours you are getting a lousy Photographer. Average prices in Orlando are $1,250 to $5,500.00 plus Your DVD Pictures and albums

Manny D.<div></div>

Hi,

Get Alien Bees.. Hot lights from Dynaphos at Amvona.com are also Great.

Manny D.

Hi,

I shoot a Nikon F5 DCS 760 at 6.3mp and my 16x20 are amazing ! It al has to to with Sharpness whick also means Glass, not only mp.

Manny D.

Hi,

Just get a Nikon SU4 Slave Unit, It's Cheap and does the trick even on TTL

Manny D.