Light for low key nude photography

**Hattifnatt** · 05-09-2014, 02:27 AM

Hello,

Kind of an urgent situation here, I have to quickly improvise something for a photo session. Target is very ambitious, low key nude photography. Unfortunately I only have access to some local store, and limited budget. I have no practical experience with this kind of photography, but I've done some reading and it seems I can get away with only one light source. Question is, which one? here are my choices considering I'm on a budget and I want continous lighting and not a flash:

Option 1: Hakutatz VL-9099

9 x 45W = 405W
softbox 80x60cm
construction seems to be very poor from the reviews

Option 2: Fancier FANK-QL500D

500W
3200K - isn't it a little too cold ? but do I really need something between 5500-6000K considering that probably I'm gonna turn it B&W at PP anyway?
60 x 90cm - a little bigger softbox, and it says "double diffusion", i don't know what that is
this one seems to have active cooling and variable power
more expensive than Options 1, 2
don't know if I really need 500W

Option 3: Hakutatz - 2x85w FB-85 + softbox + fasung

it's the second kit listed on the product page, the one with the 80cm octobox
80cm octobox with good reviews
CRI 90 - seems good
5500K - seems good
2x85W = 170W - is it enough power ?

I provided link to product's page, unfortunately not in English, but I guess technical specs will make sense. So far I tend to go with either option 3 or option 2. I don't know if 170W is enough power, I've read about how to place the light for low key photography but I don't have any idea how powerful it needs to be. Any advices? As I said, i don't think i have time to research other options, model will only be available for one day only, so I don't have time to order from other stores.

Thank you!

sam-joseph · 05-09-2014, 03:38 AM

I'd suggest you contact bondezire, as he seems to be pretty good with the nude photography.

Regards

JimmyDranox · 05-09-2014, 06:12 AM

I have bought a Hakutatz light set just a week ago:

Hakutatz SSL-113 - cub foto 40x40cm cu 2 lampi fluorescente - F64

And even I'm used with the ''quality'' of some Chinese products from Ebay, I was surprised with the quality of this set. it's not topnotch, but is good and strong. And the price has no competition. About Fancier, from what I know, is just another name for Weifeng. I have a video tripod from Weyfeng, and is identical with Fancier, and I'm also satisfied with this.

I think that 5500K is much better than 3200K, which is too cold for nudes. About the power of 170W from those lamps, I'm not sure, but comparing with my 15W lamps from that set, I think they are much more powerful than an incandescent 170W. And they don't become super hot, like the halogen ones. I have a 500W halogen, and I don't use it anymore, because of how hot it became almost instantly, and how fast it fails.

**Hattifnatt** · 05-09-2014, 06:32 AM

Originally posted by JimmyDranox

I have bought a Hakutatz light set just a week ago:

Hakutatz SSL-113 - cub foto 40x40cm cu 2 lampi fluorescente - F64

And even I'm used with the ''quality'' of some Chinese products from Ebay, I was surprised with the quality of this set. it's not topnotch, but is good and strong. And the price has no competition. About Fancier, from what I know, is just another name for Weifeng. I have a video tripod from Weyfeng, and is identical with Fancier, and I'm also satisfied with this.

I think that 5500K is much better than 3200K, which is too cold for nudes. About the power of 170W from those lamps, I'm not sure, but comparing with my 15W lamps from that set, I think they are much more powerful than an incandescent 170W. And they don't become super hot, like the halogen ones. I have a 500W halogen, and I don't use it anymore, because of how hot it became almost instantly, and how fast it fails.

So you think the 170W set (option 3) should be powerful enough, right?

JimmyDranox · 05-09-2014, 07:07 AM

I can't tell for sure that's enough. Maybe is somewhere close to 500W on an incandescent, but is a problem of how big the space is, how far from you subject. Maybe 2 sets of option 3 will be the best choice, considering that sometime you need 2 sources of light, if not 3, for this kind of photos.

**geomez** · 05-09-2014, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by sam-joseph

I'd suggest you contact bondezire, as he seems to be pretty good with the nude photography. Regards

The man is good.

**Hattifnatt** · 11-07-2014, 12:12 PM

I finally went for option one and I regret it... it proved to be way too weak. Not to mention it's a nightmare to assemble and carry around. I don't recommend it at all, except for maybe product shooting. I ended up renting a professional studio flash.

Class A · 11-09-2014, 07:38 PM

FWIW, 3200K is a lot warmer than 5500K.

The higher the temperature (of a black body), the bluer the light becomes.

LensBeginner · 11-10-2014, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by Class A

FWIW, 3200K is a lot warmer than 5500K.

The higher the temperature (of a black body), the bluer the light becomes.

But I can see where it comes from...
In Camera Raw the scale is reversed because it's a correction (you correct blue light going towards yellow).
Gone through that myself, before reading some books...

schnitzer79 · 11-11-2014, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by sam-joseph

I'd suggest you contact bondezire, as he seems to be pretty good with the nude photography.

definitely PM bondezire and theres also another guy... alan smithee something ..also great with nude photography

**Hattifnatt** · 11-15-2014, 04:45 PM

Does bondezire has a gallery or something ? I'm curious now. Thanks for the tips!

cxdoo · 11-15-2014, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

Does bondezire has a gallery or something ? I'm curious now.

I think a lot of people are.

Joking aside, bondezire really knows his lighting. One of few people here whose work I immediately recognize and appreciate (and not because of the nudes (and sometimes despite them)).

LensBeginner · 11-16-2014, 06:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

Does bondezire has a gallery or something ? I'm curious now. Thanks for the tips!

Well, just a quick google image search turns up with a lot of results...
???? ????? - Bondezire - ??????? ? ?????????? ??????
http://club.foto.ru/gallery/photos/author.php?author_id=97892
Bondezire
et al.
Just google bondezire and you're good to go!

05-09-2014, 02:27 AM	#1
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,626	Light for low key nude photography Hello, Kind of an urgent situation here, I have to quickly improvise something for a photo session. Target is very ambitious, low key nude photography. Unfortunately I only have access to some local store, and limited budget. I have no practical experience with this kind of photography, but I've done some reading and it seems I can get away with only one light source. Question is, which one? here are my choices considering I'm on a budget and I want continous lighting and not a flash: Option 1: Hakutatz VL-9099 9 x 45W = 405W softbox 80x60cm construction seems to be very poor from the reviews Option 2: Fancier FANK-QL500D 500W 3200K - isn't it a little too cold ? but do I really need something between 5500-6000K considering that probably I'm gonna turn it B&W at PP anyway? 60 x 90cm - a little bigger softbox, and it says "double diffusion", i don't know what that is this one seems to have active cooling and variable power more expensive than Options 1, 2 don't know if I really need 500W Option 3: Hakutatz - 2x85w FB-85 + softbox + fasung it's the second kit listed on the product page, the one with the 80cm octobox 80cm octobox with good reviews CRI 90 - seems good 5500K - seems good 2x85W = 170W - is it enough power ? I provided link to product's page, unfortunately not in English, but I guess technical specs will make sense. So far I tend to go with either option 3 or option 2. I don't know if 170W is enough power, I've read about how to place the light for low key photography but I don't have any idea how powerful it needs to be. Any advices? As I said, i don't think i have time to research other options, model will only be available for one day only, so I don't have time to order from other stores. Thank you!

05-09-2014, 06:12 AM	#3
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	I have bought a Hakutatz light set just a week ago: Hakutatz SSL-113 - cub foto 40x40cm cu 2 lampi fluorescente - F64 And even I'm used with the ''quality'' of some Chinese products from Ebay, I was surprised with the quality of this set. it's not topnotch, but is good and strong. And the price has no competition. About Fancier, from what I know, is just another name for Weifeng. I have a video tripod from Weyfeng, and is identical with Fancier, and I'm also satisfied with this. I think that 5500K is much better than 3200K, which is too cold for nudes. About the power of 170W from those lamps, I'm not sure, but comparing with my 15W lamps from that set, I think they are much more powerful than an incandescent 170W. And they don't become super hot, like the halogen ones. I have a 500W halogen, and I don't use it anymore, because of how hot it became almost instantly, and how fast it fails. Last edited by JimmyDranox; 05-09-2014 at 06:17 AM.

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05-09-2014, 03:38 AM	#2
sam-joseph Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,086	I'd suggest you contact bondezire, as he seems to be pretty good with the nude photography. Regards

05-09-2014, 06:32 AM	#4
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,626 Original Poster	Originally posted by JimmyDranox I have bought a Hakutatz light set just a week ago: Hakutatz SSL-113 - cub foto 40x40cm cu 2 lampi fluorescente - F64 And even I'm used with the ''quality'' of some Chinese products from Ebay, I was surprised with the quality of this set. it's not topnotch, but is good and strong. And the price has no competition. About Fancier, from what I know, is just another name for Weifeng. I have a video tripod from Weyfeng, and is identical with Fancier, and I'm also satisfied with this. I think that 5500K is much better than 3200K, which is too cold for nudes. About the power of 170W from those lamps, I'm not sure, but comparing with my 15W lamps from that set, I think they are much more powerful than an incandescent 170W. And they don't become super hot, like the halogen ones. I have a 500W halogen, and I don't use it anymore, because of how hot it became almost instantly, and how fast it fails. So you think the 170W set (option 3) should be powerful enough, right?

05-09-2014, 07:07 AM	#5
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	I can't tell for sure that's enough. Maybe is somewhere close to 500W on an incandescent, but is a problem of how big the space is, how far from you subject. Maybe 2 sets of option 3 will be the best choice, considering that sometime you need 2 sources of light, if not 3, for this kind of photos.

05-09-2014, 09:16 AM	#6
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by sam-joseph I'd suggest you contact bondezire, as he seems to be pretty good with the nude photography. Regards The man is good.

11-07-2014, 12:12 PM	#7
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,626 Original Poster	I finally went for option one and I regret it... it proved to be way too weak. Not to mention it's a nightmare to assemble and carry around. I don't recommend it at all, except for maybe product shooting. I ended up renting a professional studio flash.

11-09-2014, 07:38 PM	#8
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	FWIW, 3200K is a lot warmer than 5500K. The higher the temperature (of a black body), the bluer the light becomes.

11-10-2014, 01:42 PM	#9
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Class A FWIW, 3200K is a lot warmer than 5500K. The higher the temperature (of a black body), the bluer the light becomes. But I can see where it comes from... In Camera Raw the scale is reversed because it's a correction (you correct blue light going towards yellow). Gone through that myself, before reading some books...

11-11-2014, 12:12 PM	#10
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by sam-joseph I'd suggest you contact bondezire, as he seems to be pretty good with the nude photography. definitely PM bondezire and theres also another guy... alan smithee something ..also great with nude photography

11-15-2014, 04:45 PM	#11
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,626 Original Poster	Does bondezire has a gallery or something ? I'm curious now. Thanks for the tips!

11-15-2014, 04:51 PM	#12
cxdoo Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Limassol, Cyprus Posts: 1,150	Originally posted by Hattifnatt Does bondezire has a gallery or something ? I'm curious now. I think a lot of people are. Joking aside, bondezire really knows his lighting. One of few people here whose work I immediately recognize and appreciate (and not because of the nudes (and sometimes despite them)).

11-16-2014, 06:28 AM - 1 Like	#13
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Hattifnatt Does bondezire has a gallery or something ? I'm curious now. Thanks for the tips! Well, just a quick google image search turns up with a lot of results... ???? ????? - Bondezire - ??????? ? ?????????? ?????? http://club.foto.ru/gallery/photos/author.php?author_id=97892 Bondezire et al. Just google bondezire and you're good to go!