Just wanted to post an update about using the single PLM for show formals. On March 12, I shot the Gulfstream Rottweiler Club's Specialty in West Palm Beach. I had asked for specific space for formals but, of course, the OP for the weekend shows got that space and I had to improvise. So, close to the ring, there were these exit doors -- four sets across a 20 foot alcove. Only one set was operational so I set up my backdrop against the others and ran my power cord under a table setup to my shooting location about 10 feet from the subject. That gave me enough room for one strobe set high and protected by 3 chairs. And, that's where I shot the formals. Thankfully nobody tripped over the wire and nobody walked their dog through the light stand. And the light provided a kind of spotlight effect for the shots which I kinda like. The falloff in the upper corners is like a mild vignetting effect and not altogether unpleasant. And the light definitely focuses on the dog.



This is the Best In Veteran Sweepstakes photo of Ch Highlander's Heika's Adventure. She is 10 years old and is Sundance's grandmother on his dad's side. So, thought I'd share what the single light provides in a situation where the dog is on the floor and there are 4 people in the photo.

Jim

Thanks Jim. Very nice.

Jim, that looks like a really good use for the PLM. What I have found; however, is that it the PLM is very difficult to use for portraits because it is so huge. It is almost impossible to get the light far enough from the lens axis to consistently prevent eyeshine and red-eye. Here is an example of how results can vary by a slight change in pose. These were taken a few seconds apart with the lighting behind and to the side of the shooting position.

This one is OK with just a little eyeshine in the right eye (camera left):



And this one is unusable, except for horror movies:



Of course, it is not nearly as bad with brown, green, and golden eyed subjects. But if you use this setup Murphy's law will trump statistics and your first 10 customers will all be blue eyed.

Preston,
my type of formal dog show portraits seldom have the dog looking directly at the camera -- at least with most breeds. But I can see the issue with other portraits. Like I said, when given the room, I'll always opt for a two light setup at 45 degrees to the subject. That usually minimizes or eliminates the eye problems. You do have me wondering what would happen with Bulldogs which we pose almost head-on to the camera.

Jim