Portraits Using the Constellation3

A lesson produced by Web Photo School

When making portraits it is always important to have the softest, most flattering light possible, which means having your soft light source as close to your subject as possible. This can become uncomfortable for your model when you are working with a continuous light source with halogen lighting because of the intense heat of the lamps.

This is when using Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) can come in handy. Their cooler operating temperatures allow you to work with your lights close to your subject without the need to worry about your model sweating or being uncomfortable.

There are pros and cons to the use of halogen and CFLs. This lesson demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of using halogen vs. fluorescent bulbs for portrait photography.

(Click on any image below for an enlarged view.)

Topics Covered:

Constellation3
Large SilverDomes
CoolStar 150w CFLs
StarLite 1000w Halogen Lamps
Full Length Portrait with Constellation3 and 1000w Halogen Lamps

Equipment Used:

Camera/Media

Lighting Equipment

Photoflex Constellation³ Large SilverDome Kit

Figure 1

Constellation3
The Constellation3 is Photoflex's premier continuous lighting solution. The Constellation3 can accept up to three lamps simultaneously. You can use 500w or 1000w Starlite halogen lamps, 150w CoolStar CFLs, and 2 pin G9.5 lamps with a Bi-Pin Adapter. You can use one, two, or three lamps at any given time via the individual power switches for each lamp socket. This gives you the ability to power down or up your light without having to reposition it. The Constellation3 is compatible with all Photoflex medium, large, and extra large heat-resistant soft boxes excluding the OctoDome. [figure 1]

The Constellation3 Large SilverDome Kit includes one Constellation3, one Large SilverDome nxt, one 13-foot LiteStand, three CoolStar 150s, three 1000w Starlite Lamps, and one Transpac Dual Kit Case. For a limited time when you purchase this kit you will receive a FREE Constellation3 and three FREE 1000w halogen lamps.

SilverDome nxt
The Large SilverDome is the perfect light modifier for creating soft, even light without any hot spots. The SilverDome soft box can not only be used with your Constellation3, but is also compatible for use with strobes. This soft box is heat-resistant up to 400˚ Fahrenheit making it the best solution for soft continuous lighting.

Using the CoolStar 150w CFLs


Figure 2	Figure 3

The CoolStar 150 is Photoflex's new daylight-balanced compact fluorescent lamp. The CoolStar 150 is color balanced to 5600K, which means it has the same color as natural sunlight. So to begin, we set our camera's white balance to 5000K, which is within the range of the color temperature of daylight. [figure 2 and 3]


Figure 4	Figure 5

Figure 6

With the cool operating temperature of the CoolStar, we were able to move our lights in close to our model, allowing us to use a faster shutter speed, a smaller aperture, or a combination of the two. Because of the cool temperature, we were able to move our CoolStars in very close to our model to allow us to use a faster shutter speed, which would not make our model perspire. It is possible to move these lights back and still acquire an acceptable exposure. The main advantages to using the CoolStars is that you have the ability to move them in very close to your subject, keep your studio cool, and still have enough power output to be completely functional.

Here, we had our Constellation3, Large SilverDome, and three CoolStars positioned at 90˚ camera left. The light was approximately twelve to eighteen inches from our model. It was set about five feet high and pointed down at approximately a 30˚ angle. [figures 4, 5, and 6]


Figure 7	Figure 8

Figure 9

We brought in our second Constellation3 with another Large SilverDome and three CoolStars. We placed it at about 100˚ camera right so we could use it as a rim light on our model. It was positioned at about three and a half feet from our subject, four feet high, and pointed straight at our model. [figures 7, 8, and 9]

Figure 10

With our two Constellation3s (each with three CoolStar CFLs and in a Large SilverDome soft box) placed very close to our model, we were still able to maintain a comfortable work environment because of the cool running compact fluorescent lamps. The temperature after having both lights running for over 30 minutes was 70˚ Fahrenheit. [figure 10]

Figure 11

Switching to 1000w Halogen Lamps
Next, we decided to change the lamps in the Constellation3s from the CoolStars to the Starlite 1000w halogen lamps. The major advantage to using the halogen 1000w lamps is that you have substantially more power to achieve desired depth of field or shutter speed. The major disadvantage to using halogen lamps is their hotter operating temperatures, which at times can heat up your studio, making for an unpleasant photo shoot.

The color temperature of Tungsten lighting is around 3200K. So to use the 1000w halogen lamps, you will need to change your camera's white balance from 5600K or Daylight to 3200K or Tungsten. [figure 11]


Figure 12	Figure 13

Figure 14

Here, we used one Constellation3 with three 1000w halogens. This gave us more power to work with, but the very warm temperature of the lamps forced us to double the distance from the light to the model. We repositioned the light about 36" from our model, five feet high, and angled down at about 30˚. [figures 12, 13 and 14]


Figure 15	Figure 16

Figure 17

Bringing in our second Constellation3 with 1000w halogen lamps, we placed it at about 100˚ camera right so we could use it as a rim light on the model. It was positioned at about three and a half feet from our subject, four feet high, and pointed straight at the model.

This is the same position we had shot with the CoolStars. We decreased the effect of the temperature change on our model and set because of the extra distance between the model and lights. [figures 15, 16 and 17]

Figure 18

The temperature after using two Constellation3s (each with three 1000w halogen lamps) for 15 minutes was a bit more then the CoolStar 150s. The temperature ended up being around 76˚ Fahrenheit. Even with the lamps being run for less time, because we already had the lights positioned correctly, the temperature was already starting to rise in the studio, approaching uncomfortable levels. [figure 15]

Full-Length Portrait with Constellation3 and 1000w Halogen Lamps
With the power of the 1000w halogen lamps in our Constellation3s and the large SilverDome soft box, we were able to move everything back and take a full-length portrait of the model.


Figure 19	Figure 20

Figure 21

We brought in our first Constellation3 at about six feet high and tilted down at about 30˚. We positioned it at about 60˚ camera left. [figures 19, 20 & 21]


Figure 22	Figure 23

Figure 24

After we had our left light dialed in, we turned it off and brought in our right light. We placed this light at about 20˚ camera right, five and a half feet high, and pointed straight at our model. [figures 18, 19, and 20]


Figure 25	Figure 26

Figure 27

With both lights positioned where we wanted them, we took our final shot. [figures 25, 26 and 27]

Another enjoyable part about working with continuous lighting (as opposed to strobes) for studio photography is that both the model and the photographer do not have to deal with the constant flashing of the strobes going off. As a photographer, you can shoot as much and as fast as you want and never have to wait for the flash to recycle. And, you get to see exactly how your light will interact with your subject before you even take the shot!

Remember to experiment with your lighting and have fun!