Here is something for those who would like to document their lighting setups using photo shop.

LINK FOR MAKING LIGHTING DIAGRAMS
(provided by Brandon Ching):

Try this: (courtesy of kevin kertz)


To use...
1) Download file LightingSetup.psd.zip (size 200k)
2) Unarchive the Zip file
3) Open the Photoshop file: LightingSetup.psd. (size 500k)
4) The file defaults with a Background, Subject and 35mm Camera.
5) To view (add) an item, open the appropriate folder and click on the item (as seen below). You click on the "eye" icon to make it visible or to hide it.
6) Move and rotate into place.
7) Save a copy of your finished setup. Don't save over original file (for future use).

Curtis Wood wrote:

-this is a very needed thread Kim.

Super Laura the Super Perv wrote:
ok how about some help? I'm just so fucking retarded. O.K. I'm using photoshop 7.0.1 and for some reason now when I pull an image in it and hit control T, I go to resize it at that top. It doesn't give me the option to link and shrink down by % it only lets me change the pixels. I don't wanna do that cuz it will be out of whack. HELP!!!

To Change Image Size
-click on IMAGE->IMAGE SIZE on the menu bar
-the IMAGE SIZE DIALOG BOX opens, listing the current height, width, and resolution of the image -type a size for a dimension. If you want it to stay the same proportion, make sure the CONSTRAIN PROPORTIONS box is checked. Enter the correct resolution.
-click OK

To Change Selection Size
-make a selection with a selection tool
-click EDIT -> TRANSFORM -> SCALE
-click and drag a corner handle on the selection to scale on frthe horizontal and vertical axis
making sure that % on the horizontal and vertical axis are the same, this will ensure that the image stays in proportion.

Here is another setup I like to share.

JR Mandeville wrote:

I'll be hanging out here alot...I am clueless on the PS part of things.
I know how to Clone, Heal, and adjust color balance..basic burn and dodge..I actually have no clue as to do layers. Oh yea...I can crop and size. With that said I am enjoying this thread!

What are layers?

One of Photoshop's most powerful features is the use of layers. Each layer in a Photoshop document is a separate image which can be edited apart from any other layer. A layer can be envisioned as an image on a sheet of clear material. Together, all the layers form a stack of images.
Photoshop layers work in a similar manner, allowing the user to make changes to individual layers of an image file without affecting information on other layers.

When you open a photograph for the first time in Photoshop, the image shows as a single layer, called Background. New, separate layers can be created for any additions or changes to the image. Other images can also be added to the image as new layers. Layer modifications can be made to individual layers or to groups of layers in many ways.

Special features, like adjustment layers, layer masks, and layer styles, are also available for making sophisticated effects within an image.

The Layers Palette
The Layers palette is where all layers can be created, organized and grouped. You can create, name, link, and group all image layers. You can hide, show, or even change layer opacities. Text layers can be added and modified. There are also various layer commands and options available in the Layers palette menu.

The palette can be closed or minimized by clicking one of the buttons at the top, left of the palette . Clicking one of these buttons will apply to all palettes docked together.

The palette can be reopened from the Window tab in the Photoshop main menu or by keyboard function key F7.
Every file opened in Photoshop will initially have a layer named Background. This layer will be the actual image from the camera or scanner. If a new file is created within Photoshop, the layer will be all white by default, or transparent, or the current background color from the Tool palette .

This Background layer is always locked, meaning it cannot be repositioned or placed above other layers. Layer masks are not available the Background layer, but brushes and filters can be applied. It cannot be trashed unless first converted to an editable layer.

The Background layer can be converted to an unlocked, fully editable layer with the Layer Properties command. Converted Background layers are only supported as Photoshop .psd files.
New layers are created with the Create a new layer command button at the bottom of the palette. This looks like a sheet of paper with a corner turned up .
You can also use the Layer tab > New Layer command in the Photoshop main menu or by pressing Shift-?-N (Shift-Ctrl-N).
Clicking the icon will create a new layer named Layer 1. This layer will be 100% transparent, meaning that there is no pixel information yet on the layer. The checkerboard pattern of the layer thumbnail indicates layer transparency (figure 6).

You can copy a layer by dragging the layer over the Create a new layer icon. You can also use the Layer tab > Duplicate Layer command in the Photoshop main menu or by pressing ?-J (Ctrl-J).

The light blue color of the layer indicates that it is the active layer. Any tools, commands, or filters are applied only to active layers.
The background layer is always locked in position and is indicated as such with the lock symbol to the right of the layer name.

Other layers may be locked with the Lock menu icons near the top, left of the Layers palette. You have the option to lock transparent pixels, lock image pixels, lock position, or lock all.
A layer can be locked to protect transparent pixels, or image pixels, or to lock in position.
Any of these three locked states is represented with the light-color lock icon next to the layer name.
At the bottom of the Layers palette is a robust set of layer tool buttons .
These buttons are for:
Linking layers
Adding layer styles (such as drop shadows)
Creating a layer mask
Creating an adjustment layer
Creating a layer group (set)
Creating a new layer
Discarding a layer (trash)
Resizing the layer palette window

Layer visibility can be turned on/off with the eye icon to the left of each layer thumbnail. To turn off layer visibility, click on the eye. The eye will disappear . Click again in the empty square to turn layer visibility back on again.

You can also use the Layer tab > Hide Layers/Show Layers command in the Photoshop main menu.

Non-visible layers cannot be modified with filters or paint tools, however they can be repositioned.
Blending modes can be assigned to individual layers . These are the same blending modes that are available for Photoshop paint tools. The default setting is Normal.

These layer-blending modes can be used with great results. We encourage Photoshop users to explore the possibilities of using these modes. For most situations, however, this should be set to Normal.
Layer opacity (visibility) can be set with percentage values with fully opaque layers are set at 100% opacity. There are two methods for setting layer opacity in the layers palette.

The Opacity and Fill layer percentages can be set anywhere from 0% (invisible) to 100% (fully visible). These can be set by typing a value in the text field or using the value slider accessible with the arrow on the right of the field.

These two options are very similar. Opacity changes will proportionally affect any layer effects applied. Fill changes will not change any layer effects.

The Opacity setting can also be set in 10% increments with a keystroke when the Move tool is selected. Simply press a number, such as 3 for 30% or 8 for 80%. Settings can also be set from the main menu tab Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options.
ayer options are accessible by clicking on the encircled arrowhead at the top, to the right of the palette. You can duplicate, delete, merge, group, or flatten layers from this pop-up window.

Unavailable options for that layer are grayed out. On a mouse rollover, the option will highlight in a blue bar.

I've got smoke coming out of my ears over Layers...
This alone is going to take awhile to grasp...Very cool!

Thanks ~Joe~

I have a bunch of black and white images that are so killer only problem is they are a little dark, is there a quick easy way to lighten them overall? I have tried this in microsoft office picture manager because I don't need certain areas lightened I need the entire picture lightened. I have photoshop but I also need a helmet to function so can you put this in helmet girl terms in photoshop? Here is an example of a pic I want to lighten.

There's several ways Laura. 1. you can use the levels sliders, or 2. use the brightness & contrast sliders.  TRy those for basic adjustments.

Gibson photo art, Thanks for sharing your lighting setup.

PKM IMAGES wrote:

Gibson photo art, Thanks for sharing your lighting setup.

Anything from my port you think would be good for this thread?

Keep bringing in the great tips & tricks & lighting techniques, and thanks for sharing. ]

The above formular can also be used prior to a shoot, to establish your working distance,
once you have the angle of view of your lens, and the height of your motiv.

Example:

You are planing on shooting a 3/4 of a model.
From mid-thigh and to just aboove her head, she measures 120 cm.
Your lens is a 135mm, which has a vertical angel of view of 15 degress
( - when in portrait orientation !)

15 / 2 = 7,5

TAN 7,5 = 0,132...

2 x 0,132... = 0,263...

120 / 0,263... = 455 centimeter working distance.

"Proper Prior Planing, Prevents Pour Performance"