The “string method” is not a new idea for us or for the world of photography at large. Surprisingly, many of our students had not heard of this technique before we first posted it last year. This new version of the string method will go a little more in depth and apply the new OctoDome nxt softbox, one of the latest in the long line of great products from Photoflex.

Getting started, we set up the first of two OctoDome nxt's we will use in this lesson. Once we had the softbox assembled, we set it to the right side of our set and about 3 feet from our model. We posed our model and adjusted the light to get the lighting pattern we wanted. When we were happy with the look, we measured the distance of the light to the subject and cut a section of string about 6 inches longer than our measurement (figures 1 and 2).

For detailed instructions on how to setup an OctoDome nxt, click HERE.

We the attached the string to the LiteStand the OctoDome nxt was on using the extra six inches for the knot. Then we attached a marker to the other end of the string denoting the distance from the subject and the function of the light (Main, Fill and/or Hair Light).

Now from this point forward when we need to set up a “main” light for a similar portrait, all we need to do is ask our subject to hold the tagged end of the string and move the light out to the proper distance (figure 3).

Once we had our main light set up and our camera mounted to the tripod, we set our EVOLT E-300's programming to the following:

• White Balance to Tungsten
• Exposure to Manual
• Focus to Manual
• Resolution to TIFF
• ISO to 100

In this result image we see the why we feel this is such a great light for portraiture. In fact if we stopped here, we would have a shot that would make any mom happy (figure 4).

But to really thrill Mom, we’ll take a few more steps along the road to the perfect shot.

Now that we have a great looking main light, we need to add some fill. For this we will employ the Photoflex 39" x 39" LitePanel with the soft-gold LitePanel fabric set up on a 2218 LightStand with a Main and T clamp and a 39" LitePanel cross bar (figure 5).

Once we had assembled the LitePanel, we set it to the left side of our set, re-posed our model and made adjustments to the LitePanel reflector until we liked the look. Then, as with the main light, we took a measurement from the fill to the subject and cut a string a few inches longer (figure 6).

For this action, we attached the string to the center of the LitePanel with tape and then attached the tag on the string at the length we measured. On the tag, we noted the length and the function of the string (figure 7).

In our resulting image, we can see how the bounce fill has opened up the shadows, which helps control the contrast and light ratio across the subject (figure 8).

Here we see the results so far, notice how the bounce fill improves the look of our lighting solution by reducing the overall contrast (figure 9).

We set up a Photoflex Small HalfDome on a Boom and Boom Stand assembly, then rolled this boom light in over the model.

To position this light for the best results, we placed it directly over the subject and just behind her. We then turned the HalfDome so that the light falls onto her head and shoulders (figures 10 and 11).

Once we had the light in the basic position, we had our assistant make some final small adjustments to the light while I held the string in the proper position (figure 12).

In this result shot, we can see the how the hair/separation light adds depth to the shot, which gives us a more complete lighting solution (figure 13).

We now have a final shot; in figure 14, we see a side-by-side comparison of our lesson so far.

Now that we have our shot, we can make a few changes to show some options you may want to explore. Our first change will be to add a second OctoDome nxt as a fill light to replace the 39" x 39" LitePanel set up.

Once we had the second OctoDome set up on the left side of the set, we needed to consider the effect of the fill we want. Remember when we used the LitePanel for “fill” its performance was dependant on its position relative to main light, with the OctoDome we need to set it twice as far away from the subject as the main light to get the same ratio of lighting (figures 15 and 16).

In this result image, we see the effect of the OctoDome as our fill. The changes are subtle but there is more detail in the shadows and more spark in our model's eyes (figure 17).

Here we show the two versions using all three lighting components: main, fill, and hair (figure 18).

Now that we have finished, you can see why this new light is taking the portrait world by storm.