Your portraits are incredible. Now that you’ve got another studio set up in your house, I’d love to see a video (or 3? 😉) breaking down your approach to lighting, subject direction, and post processing!
@@ThePhotographicEye Well, the one thing that really jumps out in your portraits is the connection you have with each of your subjects! i’d love to hear about your approach regarding that!
I love using my little portable studio. I've set it up in the smallest of spaces and using umbrellas makes this possible. When anybody is not sure of the results I simply send them half a dozen photos and defy them to tell me which was from my little portable studio and a professional studio. They can't tell the difference.
Great video Alex Kilbee, thanks for explaining what is important when setting up a small studio! So many times we let our Ego get in the way but a strobe is a strobe(especially if is a small space). Thank you for all you share in this great channel Sir!
Another great videos full of important information and ideas. And if you are on a budget you can spend less money you can on your home studio. You can use instead, wood pole to hang your backdrops, you can use bed sheets, instead of using a light box you can build your own box with cardboard and woods pole, and a small camera flash. And many times is the simplest set up who give the best results.
@@ThePhotographicEye But having said that, these "brand agnostic" technical videos are really good, not shying away from providing those brand names just for context/example! Great stuff :)
I been using those cheap Chinese PT04 radio flash triggers for more than ten years now. I have a bucket full of them. They're reliable and just keep on going. Range is about ten yards, but if you solder on a one foot long transmitter antenna wire the range is about 50 yards. Great video thanks.
Mate, I love, love, love, LOVE these portraits and their lighting. Seriously, this presses so many of my buttons for me. I'm not a pro photographer and so don't need this set up, but so many ideas now. Thank you. Tell us please, how do YOU get your sitters so relaxed - idea for a video. Gorgeous shots. Gorgeous.
I could go down to Bunnings and buy two cheap indoor doors, 2040 high, 38 mm or so thick, and various widths to at least 820 mm. Two hinges, and you have an adjustable-angle wall. I could erect them on any flat surface, including out doors. They come coated with white undercoat, ready to pain in a colour of my choice. At a pinch, they can be folded for transport. They fit nicely into Tin Can, I use one as a bed. I suspect my local Hi-Fi store (handily called JB Hi-Fi) has cardboard packaging it could give away, I could cut it up and maybe paint it. It might have been used for packing TVs and such. For outdoor use, I could probably rig a square frame to hold a solid or translucent cover to offer alternative overhead lighting. If it's your own home, you could use masking tape to mark locations for lights, cameras, backgrounds to facilitate rapid setup.
Wonderful video. Refreshing to see such a simple setup with stunning results. Judging by other vids l thought for sure that l needed a multitude of strobes, umbrellas, soft boxes... thank you
Do you live in an area with an abundance of red headed people or do you hav a collection of them in the basement? Just kidding. These are wonderful portraits. Bravo!
Thanks for this one Alex - I found it really interesting. I've never really delved into portrait photography - for a whole variety of reasons. One of them is the thought or rather misconception about what is needed . . . . you've shared just how simple and easy it all could be. Also you make a great photographic subject!
Alex, your portraits are simply outstanding. I mean, truly great. Though this isn't a gear channel, what is the advantage of something like your elinchrom vs a standard speed light on a stand?
Great video. I enjoyed seeing some of your work. Hopefully, you incorporate some shoots that you do in new content, since you are getting back into portraits again.
I have wondered about one thing. Does the ceiling height play much role in the lighting of the subject? We just shot the pictures for our church directory. My first. The room has a standard 8 foot ceiling. I was pleased with the pictures in general but I wondered if a vaulted ceiling would have given a different look. We used two lights shooting through white umbrellas. I guess I could take the set up into the sanctuary for a few shots... 25 foot ceiling in there. There, I may have found a way to check this out!
Good stuff, but when you are on budget, focus on things that last, i.e. focus on quality of equipment that stays with you, like tripods and softboxes. Don't buy expensive strobe and cheap tripod that breaks under weight of lamp and softbox. Or buy softbox that can be quickly setup and has universal mount (and don't stress you). Economy slows down, so it might be good opportunity to buy quality second hand stuff.
@@ThePhotographicEye definitely buying quality equipment is a way to go, but for hobby, small home studio when every penny matters it's quite easy to make false savings. It's just from my experience - simple cheapest P.R.C. stand works fine for umbrella and flash but it's no go for heavy studio light and big softbox. If I would buy better c-stand then, I wouln't have to look for one now.
Absolutely agree with you it’s a false economy to buy cheaper stuff that doesn’t really do the job properly. Somethings don’t necessarily benefit from the added, cost like a back drop stand for instance, but some of the things being sold as light stands are laughable. There is no way that I would put a $500 monobloc on top of a $20 light stand .
What type of paint bush did you used to get that type of texture on your hand painted backdrop? I’m getting ready to paint my canvas but I don’t want the same standard texture everyone is doing.
Great stuff, been thinking this studio photography for about a year. I would actually have a room for it in this very apartment house I live. An empty room nobody uses. What gives?
Your portraits are incredible. Now that you’ve got another studio set up in your house, I’d love to see a video (or 3? 😉) breaking down your approach to lighting, subject direction, and post processing!
Thank you so much. I'll be doing some videos about those soon - which one would you be most interested in?
@@ThePhotographicEye Well, the one thing that really jumps out in your portraits is the connection you have with each of your subjects! i’d love to hear about your approach regarding that!
I love using my little portable studio. I've set it up in the smallest of spaces and using umbrellas makes this possible.
When anybody is not sure of the results I simply send them half a dozen photos and defy them to tell me which was from my little portable studio and a professional studio. They can't tell the difference.
Great video Alex Kilbee, thanks for explaining what is important when setting up a small studio! So many times we let our Ego get in the way but a strobe is a strobe(especially if is a small space). Thank you for all you share in this great channel Sir!
Absolutely!
My fav photography channel on the web. Not even any competition at this stage! Thanks Alex!
Thanks Adam, that's awesome to hear!
Another great videos full of important information and ideas. And if you are on a budget you can spend less money you can on your home studio. You can use instead, wood pole to hang your backdrops, you can use bed sheets, instead of using a light box you can build your own box with cardboard and woods pole, and a small camera flash. And many times is the simplest set up who give the best results.
Great vid without any added mystery. Look forward to seeing where this leads 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to get some videos up in the new year about the results etc.
Thanks for explaining the necessary elements of a home photo studio. You've inspired me to create one now.
I find your videos to be so full of value!
Thank you
"We don't do reviews" - what a refreshing thing to hear!
Never have, never will :D
@@ThePhotographicEye But having said that, these "brand agnostic" technical videos are really good, not shying away from providing those brand names just for context/example! Great stuff :)
I been using those cheap Chinese PT04 radio flash triggers for more than ten years now. I have a bucket full of them. They're reliable and just keep on going. Range is about ten yards, but if you solder on a one foot long transmitter antenna wire the range is about 50 yards. Great video thanks.
Mate, I love, love, love, LOVE these portraits and their lighting. Seriously, this presses so many of my buttons for me. I'm not a pro photographer and so don't need this set up, but so many ideas now. Thank you. Tell us please, how do YOU get your sitters so relaxed - idea for a video. Gorgeous shots. Gorgeous.
Thanks! That’s awesome to hear :) getting them all relaxed etc is on the slate for content next year!
I could go down to Bunnings and buy two cheap indoor doors, 2040 high, 38 mm or so thick, and various widths to at least 820 mm. Two hinges, and you have an adjustable-angle wall. I could erect them on any flat surface, including out doors. They come coated with white undercoat, ready to pain in a colour of my choice. At a pinch, they can be folded for transport. They fit nicely into Tin Can, I use one as a bed.
I suspect my local Hi-Fi store (handily called JB Hi-Fi) has cardboard packaging it could give away, I could cut it up and maybe paint it. It might have been used for packing TVs and such.
For outdoor use, I could probably rig a square frame to hold a solid or translucent cover to offer alternative overhead lighting.
If it's your own home, you could use masking tape to mark locations for lights, cameras, backgrounds to facilitate rapid setup.
Wonderful video. Refreshing to see such a simple setup with stunning results. Judging by other vids l thought for sure that l needed a multitude of strobes, umbrellas, soft boxes... thank you
Thanks for watching
Great content and I love your portraits. So pleased you are getting back into it. ❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks so much 😊
Thanks again Alex for the basics of a great studio and how easy it is to set up!
Do you live in an area with an abundance of red headed people or do you hav a collection of them in the basement? Just kidding. These are wonderful portraits. Bravo!
haha! A lot of these were for a project I was doing when testing out a new idea for processing - I wanted red heads in grey tops.
@@ThePhotographicEye I think you found them all. ;)
Thanks for this one Alex - I found it really interesting. I've never really delved into portrait photography - for a whole variety of reasons. One of them is the thought or rather misconception about what is needed . . . . you've shared just how simple and easy it all could be. Also you make a great photographic subject!
Wow, thank you
Thank you so much Alex! Your advice is very helpful. Love your style when it comes to portraiture!
Thank you
very much enjoy your videos, thank you!
Thanks for watching
Many thanks for your sharing!
My pleasure!
I love this video.
Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎
Thanks, you too!
Good info, wonderful examples and a great message as usual Alex, thank you.
My pleasure!
Alex, your portraits are simply outstanding. I mean, truly great. Though this isn't a gear channel, what is the advantage of something like your elinchrom vs a standard speed light on a stand?
Great video. I enjoyed seeing some of your work. Hopefully, you incorporate some shoots that you do in new content, since you are getting back into portraits again.
Thank you
I have wondered about one thing. Does the ceiling height play much role in the lighting of the subject? We just shot the pictures for our church directory. My first. The room has a standard 8 foot ceiling. I was pleased with the pictures in general but I wondered if a vaulted ceiling would have given a different look. We used two lights shooting through white umbrellas. I guess I could take the set up into the sanctuary for a few shots... 25 foot ceiling in there. There, I may have found a way to check this out!
An 8 foot white ceiling will give you bounce light when using umbrellas which is sometimes is OK depending on what you’re going for
Good stuff, but when you are on budget, focus on things that last, i.e. focus on quality of equipment that stays with you, like tripods and softboxes. Don't buy expensive strobe and cheap tripod that breaks under weight of lamp and softbox. Or buy softbox that can be quickly setup and has universal mount (and don't stress you). Economy slows down, so it might be good opportunity to buy quality second hand stuff.
Eg- the strobes cost a fair amount when I bought them, but they (and the stands that came with them) are still rock solid some 12 years on.
@@ThePhotographicEye definitely buying quality equipment is a way to go, but for hobby, small home studio when every penny matters it's quite easy to make false savings. It's just from my experience - simple cheapest P.R.C. stand works fine for umbrella and flash but it's no go for heavy studio light and big softbox. If I would buy better c-stand then, I wouln't have to look for one now.
Absolutely agree with you it’s a false economy to buy cheaper stuff that doesn’t really do the job properly.
Somethings don’t necessarily benefit from the added, cost like a back drop stand for instance, but some of the things being sold as light stands are laughable.
There is no way that I would put a $500 monobloc on top of a $20 light stand .
What type of paint bush did you used to get that type of texture on your hand painted backdrop? I’m getting ready to paint my canvas but I don’t want the same standard texture everyone is doing.
Love your portraits!
Thanks Nick - there will be more to come
I like the colours in your portraits.....to describe them subdued...or old masterish... What do you aim for.... Alex..... Nice very..
Love the vid , thank you!
So glad! Thanks for watching
Great stuff, been thinking this studio photography for about a year. I would actually have a room for it in this very apartment house I live. An empty room nobody uses. What gives?
Nice different video from you, thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
As always great content with lots of information. Alex's echo chamber.
Much appreciated!
informative 12mins.
Glad you enjoyed it John
:)