Home >> Hobbies >> Photography

How to Set Up Dynaphos Strobe Lights

Dynaphos is brand name of photographic studio lighting products including continuous lights, strobe lights, softboxes and umbrellas. When used correctly, studio lighting gives the photographer complete control of both light and shadows. Photographers who are adept at using studio lighting can produce visually stunning images. Working with studio lights, either strobes or continuous lights requires some basic knowledge of lighting ratios and the willingness to experiment to create new lighting setups for your photography.

Things You'll Need

3 Dynaphos studio strobe light heads
3 light stands
Softboxes or umbrellas
Power cords
Extension cords (optional)
Sync cord or remote triggers
Honeycomb diffuser

Instructions

- 1
  Set up two of the light stands. Unfold the bottom legs and once they are extended and tighten the built-in clamp. Extend the stand's shaft to the desired height. Make sure that each section clamp is closed tightly.
- 2
  Position the two light stands on opposite sides of the either the stool, bench or table where your subject will be. These lights are your main and fill light. The stands should be at a 45-degree angle to the subject to start with. Depending on the effect you are creating, you may move the lights later.
- 3
  Attach the Dynaphos strobe lights to the top of the stands. The strobes will screw onto the threaded top of the light stands.
- 4
  Attach the softbox or umbrella to the Dynaphos strobe lights and angle them toward the subject. Remove the reflector cone by turning it one quarter turn to release it from the strobe's slotted fixture. Attach the softbox along with the reflector cone back onto the strobe. Attach the umbrella just under the strobe head unit using a clamp.
- 5
  Unfold and place the third light stand on one side of the subject, at a 45-degree angle behind the subject. This light will be used as a hair light for models or another fill light for other subjects.
- 6
  Attach the Dynaphos strobe light to the top of the stand, attach the honeycomb diffuser to the front of the strobe and aim the strobe back toward the subject's position. To attach the strobe to the stand there is usually a 1/4" threaded brass or steel fixture at the top of the stand, and the strobe light's mounting bracket will screw onto the stand. In the same way you replaced the reflector cone to the strobe with the softbox, the honeycomb diffuser connects in the same way.
- 7
  Insert the sync cord or remote trigger into the main light and attach the other end to your camera. The sync cord attaches to the camera in a port that has a symbol which looks like a lightning bolt. The same symbol will appear on the strobe light where the other end of the sync cord is attached.
- 8
  Turn on your main light and adjust the power setting until you have the amount of light you want. Set the fill light at 50 percent of the main light's setting, and the reduce the third light by 50 percent of the fill light. Depending on the model, adjust the power setting using a slide control or rotating control.

Photography