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When it comes to photographing your pets, a flash unit will not be your best friend. The jarring burst of light a strobe produces will cut your portrait session short, and may bring out the beast in your pets.

In this lesson we will introduce you to a new product from Photoflex, a great addition to the line of popular Starlite Kits. The OctoDome nxt is a three-foot soft box designed to be the best portrait light on the market. When you couple the OctoDome nxt with the Starlite, you get a kit that produces soft, wrapping light that is continuous, and will bring out the beauty in your beast.

(Click on any image below for an enlarged view.)

Topics Covered:

Equipment Used:

Camera/Media

Lighting Equipment

Background



Getting Started

The first order of business was to set up our background. We set up our 12 foot seamless background paper on the studio lifting system. Then we lifted the seamless to about eight feet and pulled out enough paper to create a sweep on to the floor. To secure the paper we taped the front edge to the studio floor, to protect the seamless from puppy foot prints, we placed a section of white cardboard on the front of the seamless. (Figures 1 & 2)
Figure 1

Figure 1

 		Figure 2

Figure 2

The Perils of Using Reflector Lights

When our background was set up, we started on our lighting solution. To start with, we used two 1000 watt reflector lights, a very common and inexpensive lighting set up. Our key light was placed to the right of the camera and about four feet from the subject. The height of this light was set to height of our subject, Cosmo. Our fill light was then set to the left side of the camera at about 90 degrees and set to about four feet from the floor; then tilted down toward Cosmo. (Figure 3 & 4)

Figure 3

Figure 3

 		Figure 4

Figure 4

With these lights set up we set our light meter to the ambient setting and measured the light on the set. Since we are shooting a family pet and we can not predict our subject's movements, we chose a faster shutter speed to help stop the motion we were sure to get. Our meter readings were 1/125 @ f 4.0; we set the camera to these settings and asked our subject's owner to place the dog on the set. Once we were happy with the placement we made a few exposures. (Figure 5)

In this result shot we see the pitfalls of the reflector lights; Our subject looks flat and has very little detail in the shadows. Cosmo's eyes also look unbalanced and our key light has cast an unattractive shadow on the back ground. All in all, this would not be the best way to photograph your family's pet.

Figure 5

Figure 5

Using the OctoDome nxt Kit

Now that we have discounted the reflector as a solution, let's look at the OctoDome nxt kit. The kit comes with all the gear you will need to set up and get started right out of the box. Instructions for assembly are included and can also be found on the Photoflex web site.

Figure 6

Figure 6

Once we had set up our kit we placed it in the same spot we had our reflector key light, to the right of the camera and at the same height as the subject. (Figure 6, 7 & 8)
Figure 7

Figure 7

 		Figure 8

Figure 8

With this lighting kit in place, we made some meter readings, leaving the meter set to the ambient setting. Our readings were slightly higher than the reflector lights, 1/125 @ f4.0 _ which would be the same as 1/60 @ f 5.6 _ we decided to set our camera at the slower shutter speed to gain some depth of focus on the subject. With the camera set we made some test exposures. (Figure 9)

Even with just one light, this shot looked better than two reflector lights. We see much better detail in Cosmo's eyes and her coat looks much shinier.

Figure 9

Figure 9
Figure 10

Figure 10

Our next step was to add a fill light. For this we set up a second OctoDome nxt Kit and placed it to the left of the camera in the same position as our reflector fill light. (Figure 10, 11 & 12)
Figure 11

Figure 11

 		Figure 12

Figure 12

With our fill light set up, we checked our light meter readings and set the light so that the reading was about 1/2 of a stop less than our Key light or a reading of 1/60 @ f 5.6. This placement will give the lighting ratio we are looking for. Once we had our star back on the set and ready, we made a few more exposures. (Figure 13 & 14)
Figure 13

Figure 13 / Fill light only

 		Figure 14

Figure 14 / Fill and Key lights

In these results, we show the effect the fill light has on the subject by making an exposure with this light only (figure 13) . In the result with both the key and the fill light on, we see good detail in the dog's coat and her eyes look bright and ready to play (figure 14). We could call this shoot a wrap at this point and have a great photo to include in the family album.

Using a Boom Light for Separation

To gain more separation and detail in the top of our subject, we decided to add a third light to our set. For this task we mounted a Medium Starlite Kit on a Photoflex Boom and Boom Stand, and then set it over the top of the subject. (Figures 15, 16 & 17)

Figure 15

Figure 15
Figure 16

Figure 16

 		Figure 17

Figure 17

With the top light set up, we checked our light levels and set the position of the light so that the reading matched the fill light or about 1/2 of a stop less than the Key light, or a reading of 1/60 @ f 5.6. We posed the pup on the set and made a few more shots. (Figures 18 & 19)
Figure 18

Figure 18

 		Figure 19

Figure 19

In our result shots, we see in figure 18 the effects the top light has on the subject, and in figure 19 we see results with all three of our lights on. We have added detail in the ears and on the top of our star's head.

Figure 20

Figure 20

Over-Lighting a White Background

The last two steps we will take for this lesson will be to light the white background, adding more punch to the over all shot. With the lighting solution in place for our subject, we set up a Photoflex Medium HalfDome and a Starlite with a 1000 watt lamp on a Photoflex 2218 LiteStand. This light set up was placed on the left side of the set about half the distance from the subject to the background. (Figures 20, 21 & 22)

Figure 21

Figure 21

 		Figure 22

Figure 22

With the background light set up, we checked the meter readings. The readings should be about half of a stop brighter than the Key light for a reading of 1/60 @ f 8.0. This setting will give us that over lit look and add some punch in contrast. (Figure 23 & 24) Figure 23 shows only the first background light on. Figure 24 shows all four lights on.
Figure 23

Figure 23

 		Figure 24

Figure 24

Here we see how the tone of the background has an effect on the overall feeling of the shot; it adds separation of the subject from the background.

Our last action was to bring in a second background light set up, the same as the first. We will place the Photoflex Medium HalfDome with the Starlite and 1000 watt lamp on a Photoflex 2218 LiteStand, and then set it on the right side of our set. (Figures 25, 26 & 27)

Figure 25

Figure 25
Figure 26

Figure 26

 		Figure 27

Figure 27

With our last light in place, we checked our meter readings and set the second background light to match the first one, or a reading of 1/60 @ f 8.0. Now let's finish up this shot.

Notice how there is good detail throughout and a nice sheen in Cosmo's dark coat.

Figure 28

Figure 28

With our final lighting set up, we had Cosmo perform one of her favorite tricks.
Figure 29

Figure 29

 		Figure 30

Figure 30

We now have a great portrait of the family's best friend, and a holiday gift for the master. As you can see with some simple lighting tool and some help from Web Photo School, shooting great photographs of family members is a snap.

By employing continuous light sources we had a successful shoot and no photographers or dogs were harmed in the creation of this lesson.

Equipment Used:

Camera/Media

Lighting Equipment

Background

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