This sample four-light setup uses AlienBees B800 Flash Units to light both your subject and your backdrop. This setup could be used for portraits and/or headshots.
One B800 (shown in
Alien Green) is used as a
Main Light, softened with our OB47 Large Softbox. Using the octabox produces a soft, diffused light source with a rounded catchlight. The closer that the octabox is placed to the subject, the softer the output will be. You can begin by placing this light as close to your subject as it can get while still being outside of the framed shot, then adjust forwards and backwards. This unit is set as the most powerful flash in the setup, positioned at roughly a 45-degree angle.
The second B800 (shown in
Deep Space Black) is used as a
Fill Light, to "fill in" the shadows cast by the main light using the silver bounce side of our U48SW Reversible Umbrella. The unit is positioned on the opposite side of the subject, also positioned roughly at a 45-degree angle. This light will be set with lower output - perhaps a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio with the main light.
The third B800 (shown in
Martian Pink) is used as a
Hair Light, with our HG20 20-degree Honeycomb Grid to control the beam spread and direct the light on the subject's hair and shoulder tops. Using the LB11 Boom Arm allows the light to be placed above and angled towards the subject. The hair light softly illuminates your subject's hair, to help separate it from the backdrop and give your subject a more real, 3-dimensional feel. This light is especially helpful when shooting dark-haired subjects on darker backdrops.
The fourth B800 unit (shown in
Mello Yello) is used as a
Back Light, used to light the backdrop behind your subject. The UBR Background Reflector can be hidden behind your subject on the small LS1100 backlight stand to have a centered, round throw of light on the backdrop behind them to help separate them from the background. Lighting the backdrop is especially important with white backdrops, as light is needed to keep the backdrop a bright white. With white backdrops, this unit may be set to a higher output. With dark or textured backdrops, begin by setting the output lower and then adjust as needed.
Using the four B800 units allows you to get a true
"What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get" modeling preview, as you can set each unit's modeling lamp to the "track" setting and maintain the accurate preview despite output adjustments and various accessory use.
To connect your setup, you'll simply plug each flash unit into your standard Ac power source (or Vagabond system). You can then connect one flash unit to your camera with the provided sync cord, and allow the other units to fire simultaneously with their built-in slaves. You could also use the CyberSync Radio Remote Control System or LG4X Wired Remote to control triggering and/or output.
