Greastest American Hero: First Saber Strip Shoot

Well, I received the three Saber Strip Lights on Oct. 22nd, but was too busy working at our company's Flu Clinic to use them.  However, my co-worker mentioned that he had purchased The Greatest American Hero (GAH) outfit for Halloween, so what better way to put the Saber Strip lights to the test than photograph a Super Hero!!!

I contacted my friend Brian to see if he wanted to play with the Saber Strips Lights since he was the one who showed me their web-site. We set-up all three lights using my two Nikon SB-600 speedlights and one SB-900 speedlight  This Behind-The-Scenes shot is Brian's for the above GAH image.  The key light was set at 1/16th power and the fill was set at 1/64th power.  The speedlights are cold-shoed in the Saber Strip lights and triggered by my Pocket Wizards.

This next image was Brian's idea, he wanted to highlight the chest emblem, but since we were shooting against my black seamless we needed to rim the GAH.  We kept the key light in it's 90 degree, camera left position, but raised it up so it was parallel to the floor.  We made the fill light a rim light and changed the power to 1/32nd and placed it behind the GAH.

What Superhero shoot would be complete without one of the GAH flying into action.  This time the lights were set at 1/16th power, placed 90 degrees on both sides of the GAH, and feathered towards the camera.  We needed a little bit of fill so I used my SB-900, at 1/64th power, and bounced it off the garage door.

I've already had several questions from FLICKR and Facebook friends about these cool light modifiers and here is what I can tell you:

• They are lightweight and feel very durable
• The quality of light produced is very clean and consistent throughout the tube
• My assumption is that their narrow profile will make them indispensable on windy days, unlike brollys, umbrellas,or any other parachute-profile modifiers.

 So what did I learn?

• Like any light modifier it takes practice and shooting under different conditions to learn their limits - in a controlled studio set-up the Saber Strip lights parallel my Paul C Buff Strip lights, but win hands down in the area of portability
• The lights can be configured in a multitude of configurations.  Please check out the FLICKR Group for Saber Strip Lighting and be Wowed at what the creator has achieved..

I was planning to do a shoot this weekend, but with it being Halloween, I couldn't find any sober models.  Ha ha ha. Stay tuned for more Saber Strip Light sessions and "That's A Wrap!!!"