I’ve been playing around with the idea of providing lighting diagrams to supplement the write-ups of the band portrait/promo shoots that I do. The illustrations would include plan-views of the setups, including placement of the subjects, lighting equipment, modifiers, and so forth.
All drawn with loving care in Adobe Illustrator.
Would this be helpful for you?
Let me know your thoughts and if you have any other ideas for features you’d like to see for portrait shoots.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 10:56 am and is filed under Photography Tutorials, Portrait Photography and tagged with band, CLS, lighting diagrams, music, music photographer, photography, Photography Tutorials, Portrait Photography, promos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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It’d be terrific!!! \o/
I’ll appreciate to much!!!
that diagram would be helpful because i am doing band and rap artist promo shots in the upcoming year…and could you also follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/michellephoto
Hi Todd,
Great idea ! It would be truly helpful for many of us !
Is the Panda bear black and white? Of course would love to see diagrams.
Lighting diagrams would be great!
Assuming they would be a top-down view, do you think there might also be some way to indicate height and direction? (For example, a softbox at 10 ft, pointed downward, would naturally have a different effect than one at 4 ft pointing straight ahead.)
That would be great Todd. I always love to see how people lay out their lights for various shoots. It would be going above and beyond on your part but would really be a learning resource for everyone!
If you got the time bro, it definitely couldn’t hurt your readership! hahaha. I think it would be very helpful to emerging photogs, and could also give you an online backup/notebook of prior setups…might be cool for both parties involved.
That would be absolutly awesome! Go for it!
Yes! PLEASE, please do!
It would be interesting to see, that’s for sure. I believe there is a site where you can drag and drop subject and light icons, and label them, and then export them as a JPEG file – might be quicker. It’s been awhile, so I can’t remember where, but it might be worth a google or two.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/10/easy-diy-lighting-diagrams.html
That should take some of the hassle out of drawing them. And yes, I’d love to see them!
yeah, it would be very helpful!
you can write a lighting diagram of an older post as a test!
cya!
Yes, Yes, Yes. Did I mention that YES I’d love to see some lighting diagrams.
Hey all, thanks for commenting. It sounds like a slim majority of you would maybe be possibly interested in this, so I’ll see what I can do.
While pre-fab illustrations would save time, I don’t think they look as good and they’ll be limiting in the long run. I’ll be drawing everything myself with an emphasis on plan views, but we might see some elevations, too, in the future (though that would require another whole set of equipment illustrations).
@Alex, thanks for the suggestion about the height of the lights/modifiers, good tip.
In the meantime while I get Illustrator fired up, please let me know if you have any suggestions for these lighting diagrams going forward.
Yea. I’d love to see diagrams too!
I’d sure love to see your lighting diagrams.
Add my vote, Sensei Todd!
Hand drawn lighting diagrams – seriously, how much talent can one man have?!
Hey Stephen, thanks for the vote. I think Adobe Illustrator might be my favorite app ever. Yes, even more than Photoshop.
I’ll be drawing up vectors for all the equipment I use. Of course, this means that when I get new modifiers and such, I’ll have to add them to the library. This might be a winter “slowdown” activity, though. To start with, I’ve got the D3, 14-24mm, and 24-70mm pretty much sketched out (D3 + 24-70 are the lead image), but I’ll see about throwing some mesh gradients on them.
Would you be interested in having lighting diagrams provided for all the band promos I shoot? Let me know! http://is.gd/2n0O1
Would you be interested in having lighting diagrams provided for the band promos/portraits I shoot? Let me know! http://is.gd/2n0O1
Wow, that is saying something if Illustrator beats Photoshop for you. I’ve tried to be friends with Illustrator in the past but so far it hasn’t really happened. I get along very well with Lightroom though :-)
The lead image is very recognisably the D3 + 24-70 but some extra gradients would really set it off. Looking forward to seeing more!
Firstly – wireframe for the win… I think the gradient would look fine, but there isn’t enough wireframe around these days…
Bring those diagrams and we shall consume them with glee…
I would love to see some lighting diagrams. As a beggining concert photographer, any information would be greatly appreciated.
Oh! Please please pleeeaaaassseeee!?!? =D
Only if you want too LOL, I am sure all of us would love to see them, I know I would. :)
I’m interessed in that for sure !
Would be nice, but a description of them (as you usually do) is enough, as it serves more as “inspiration” than to “copy” your (GREAT) work.
Do you think diagrams would be overkill?
Inspiration = good (amazing). Copying = bad. :)
Definitely. I still think you will be writing a book at some point.
Yes Todd this would be great. Ive been wanting to get into promos, but sunset everyday limits my options. We need FLASH!
Hej Todd, a simple hand drawn pen on napkin would be just as good. Old skool. What I could use is a snap of how you pack your Crump 7 mill with your gear as I’m trying to config mine to fit all of my stuff; the same goes with your lighting gear and carrying case – what you normally take with you on a shoot.
Cheers!
great idea – I’m in
Terrific idea Todd
this would definitely rock todd! i would be VERY interested in this for sure….
you know, i don’t really think i need to grow as a photographer… i’ll pass on the rediculously helpful tips.
yeah right! that would be stinking amazing!!! definately would rock my world…
Another thought is to have a wide angle snap of the setup in action so you can see the lights firing, much like Dustin Diaz does: http://www.flickr.com/photos/polvero/sets/72157615873440953/
That might be overkill though with the lighting diagrams already…
This would be awesome!
YAY!
Another vote for diagrams. I’m too lazy to put them on my site, but seeing others do it might inspire me to follow suit.
Oh yes, I’d love to learn that !
Thanks Todd
Ya damn skippy
For those interested in learning lighting this is an excellent resource: http://www.photoworkshop.com/static/lightcage/index.html
I would be interested in lighting diagrams for some of your portraits Todd!
Yes please Todd. That would be so perfect! -tys
Todd this is a fantastic idea!!!
Also, thanks to Sanjay, that is a cool resource and can help in in explaining and illustrating the lighting options that exist.
Sure, yes
This would be great to have. Been looking for good / easy ways to understand flash portrait photography!
Todd, In addition to portrait lighting setups, the next time you shoot a show where you need/get to use some flash, it would be great to see a little diagraming of how you set that up. You get some really exciting performance images with flash, and I’d love to see some of your tips on positioning, settings, etc.
Rich,
I plan on writing an article on flash with concert photography, but I will most likely keep diagrams to portraits-only. The lighting for live setups changes so much when I shoot. The article on flash for gigs will most likely cover general tips on use. Thanks for the suggestion.
please please please
I think the mob has spoken:
Yes!
Photoshop Lighting diagram creator … very cool and maybe very useful for this.
http://www.lightingdiagrams.com/Downloads
Todd-
This would be EXTREMELY helpful!
You da man!
Todd, if you are still going to do the light diagrams, I have one suggestion. If you havnet already decided to, please include Camera setting with a test shot on what it looked like with the setting. Also what gear you are using, ofcourse.. Cant wait for the diagrams!
Let’s make Todd work MORE!! =)
Yes, diagrams, if possible. I know you’re a busy man!
much much much! yes!
Man, where do I start? I want to shoot band portraits soon. Is there a kit available? I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and I’m looking for affordable/portable equipment. By the way, my camera is a Nikon D700. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I love the idea. This kind of thing would help me out with a few “known” approaches to show up on location with, and give me a foundation with which to play for altered looks.
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences.
E
Todd,
the diagrams would be amazing, especially to read how you placed your camera given the lighting setup.
I stumbled onto your site today, and am eating up all your photo lessons. Any thoughts on a good book for an extended read on shooting concerts?
peace.
Ian
Todd,
Great site here! I have been following you for a while and really enjoy knowing there are people out there willing to help the newbies.
I am shooting a band soon in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The band has 10 members. They are requesting that the photo be onstage (there are the typical can lights surrounding the stage), posed rather than performing.
I would really appreciate your advice or suggestions.
Thanks for the help,
Ruél
This is a genius plan sir. I look forward to your insight.
This would be immensely helpful. Picking apart a photo can be very informative. But really knowing what the setup is, would be perfect. I wouldn’t expect you to give away too much though. Just the basics.
Todd,
This would be a great idea. I mean, if you don’t want to share with everyone, it’s okay. You can just share with me :)
It would indeed be very helpful. Pleaes and thank you.
yes i would be very interested in seeing how you set up for a band portrait shoot.
this info would be much appreciated.
Yes I would love to see diagrams, power settings, modifiers, thought logics, etc
Just found your website. Love it!
You are a Photography GOD!
would love to see them!
it would be a great help :)
Please show us your lighting diagrams!=) do you have lighting diagrams used as for one light or one speed light photography? thanks in advance
You can do it online with this interactive program.
No need to install any software.
http://www.lightingdiagrams.com/Creator
This would be great, liking your articles and pictures. Looking forward :)
Oh yeah. Duh. Man of your talent. Course we want to know your lighting secrets! I mean commmmmmmmmmon :P
I read a few of your tutorial articles already and checked out your portfolio – all awesome. Thankyou for sharing! :)
Eeej Todd,
I just now see this post,
But this is really the thing I would love to see with the portrait shoots. I also love the overview pictures you post, they are really helpfull, so lighting setups would be awesome ;)
Thanks for everything
THat would be fantastic!!! Thanks for sharing, I’ve looked for a blog or advice like yours for so long. :)
Aboslutely, add my vote! :)
Definitely! I’d like to see the one for Dillinger Escape Plan band shoot.
PLEASE OH PLEASE!!
i would love to see ur lighting diagrams..it would help me a lot.. where can i see them??
Dear Todd, My name is Kabir & I’m from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I’m not a photographer that would dare to call his self as an amateur/part time photographer. I love photography & do it as an hobby. I have no academic or any kind of training on photography. I try to learn by watching photos of others & try to understand. I’ve seen your photographs & reviews & all stuff, it’s really great. My best wishes for you & hope to get updated info from you. I use CANON EOS 600D & learning by my self. Wish I could show you few of my photographs & have some advice from you. Thanks & best regards.
I’ve been scouring the replies. Have you posted the diagrams somewhere?
Pleas pleas please yes
This would be nothing short of awesome. I’m trying to start portraits and studio work and lighting set ups to show how different set ups work would be just wicked!
Yes please! I’m looking at starting my photography business and this is something I must learn & know!
Absolutely! I’m in need of some new lighting ideas! I’d even pay for it!
This would be a great resource. Not enough of it on the web and something that we really need to learn more about. Thanks in advance :)