Studio lighting with D90

Buzzer60

New member
This is the same info I just posted to the Digital Photography Review sit a few minutes ago: I bought a Nikon D90 a couple years ago and just got an Alien Bee B800 with a PLM umbrella/stand and am wanting to try my hand at studio lighting for pet photography. I'm using a hot shoe adapter and sync cord to trigger the Bee and picked up a couple white panels to use for reflectors, also just purchased a used Sekonic L308 that should be here in a couple days. My question concerns camera settings. Based on info I've gotten from internet searches I'll run in manual mode with the ISO @ 200 and planning on using a shutter speed of 1/200. Should the white balance be set for flash? There are so many settings on these digital cameras it's overwhelming (I'm an older 35mm film guy). Are there any other adjustments you'd suggest. I've seen where it's suggested to turn off the D-active lighting. Thanks in advance!
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Yes, with flash, White Balance should be set for flash. Yes, turn off D-active. Manual camera settings, with shutter speed at or near maximum sync speed (1/200) is right in studio setting.

For white balance, you will want a white balance card, a good example is
Porta Brace White Balance Card WBC B&H Photo Video

This allows you to easily tweak it in for best result. Just include it in only your first setup picture, so you can apply that same adjustment to all the others in the same session.
See White Balance Correction, with or without Raw for usage.
 
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Buzzer60

New member
Here's my first attempt with Lily:
Lily2.jpgLily2.jpg
 

carguy

Senior Member
Those look nice! Sounds like me, got started with my D40 & a Sekonic 308S. Still learning quite a bit.

Check out lighting 101 on strobist.com as well.

Tapp'n on the go
 
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