back to talks

John Cornicello - Setting Up a Home Studio - Jan 10, 2012

• sandbags? get workout/scuba weights at the thrift shop
• gaffers tape or sandbags to hold down the seamless paper
• setup/test everything beforehand to MAXIMIZE time with subject
  • all technical work should be done beforehand, lighting, props, exposure

• always be positive - use diplomacy in changing the lights
• “oh, ah - this looks great’ I’ve got an idea, let’s try the lights a little different. just give me 5 minutes to change the lights up.
• f/8-11 for portraits when close up (rarely go down to 2.8-4)
• continuous/florescent lights for video, f/2.8-4, tripod, ISO800
• having fun? temp ok in here and all that stuf?
• laugh and sound like you’re having a good time!!!

• tethered shooting w/ lightroom good for review of photos
• pro headshots - want a solid white paper background/timeless/pro
• a good headshot can last you 2-3 years for actors, etc

• leaning forward kills pounds
• closest to the camera (eyes, face) is bigger than body
• perspective closer/further to get ears to disappear
• “beautiful” - light is bringing out her eyes...
• “you know you’re a super model”
• one light overhead, soft/diffuse = beauty look, butterfly shadow
  • reflector held up with boom + clamps + stool to hold
• heavy person: white instead of specular light, short lighting (shadow side)
• maintain contact with the model
• perspective: camera to model (not the lens, the distance)
  • short lenses allow us to get in closer for distortion
  • want a comfortable working distance (85-105 on ff)

• Q is 24-105 better than 24-70, newer with IS?
• 85 f/1.8, 100 f/2 = not L but great lenses
• ff has less dof, crop is better for tele
• shoots 5Dmk2 and 7D, no warfare between them

• often it’s technique, not the lens (soft 1/30 on 70=200 f/4)
• 47 + 60 umbrella, softlighter is popular: Peter Hurley, Zack Arias
• white seamless + white laminate to stand on
  • bathtub surround, rollable and takes more abuse than paper/glossy
  • 60” softlighter for main light
  • 60” silver reflecter for fill light sparkle

TODO

• gridded flash light just to sparkle the eyes, or silver fill parabolic
• lots of props to shoot with!!!
  • masks, boa, hats, goggles, glasses, halloween, hand fan
  • theater, garage sale, thrift store, old cameras
• cubby holes for storage?

WANTED

• black and white foam core - painted!?
• fill with crumpled/diffuse aluminum & duck tape for reflector
  • gator foam, tri-fold to reflect light back up
• westcott 7’ parabolic white / white shoot through / silver
• model mannequin body or torso at least (lighting & clothing tests)
• small marker board for reference
• manfrotto autopoles, floor to ceiling - $170 for a set (+superclamps +hooks)