GoBo underwater

Hi all,

Has anyone used a GoBo underwater to restrict the light spread? I know that many people use two strobes, and in murky water they are turned outwards to avoid backscatter. But in this way we waste most of the flash power and use only the edge of the light.

I was just wondering why not to use GoBo underwater for this purpose. You can see some standard application here:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/light...snoots-and.html

In a same manner we could also restrict the light before the subject to avoid backscatter.

It may also help aiming the light.

What do you think??

Marcell

Snoots? Yep, it's the in thing at the moment, plenty of information on here and the web on snooting for UW use.

Gobo isn't a term I have seen used on here though.

Just do a search for SNOOT

Snoots? Yep, it's the in thing at the moment, plenty of information on here and the web on snooting for UW use.

 

Gobo isn't a term I have seen used on here though.

 

Just do a search for SNOOT

No, I really mean GoBo. See the link in my first post and check the first picture. It blocks the light in one direction only, which could be the area between the subject and the lens (the subject should be lit of course) in UW applications.

Snoot is used a lot recently, but I think GoBo could be used as well.

Not aware of anyone using one specifically.

Have seen (and done myself ) some 'waving of hand' in front of strobe during a shot.

On land these things take some setting up - in the water it will be tricky to be as exact as you can get in a studio.

For me I think keeping the registration between the light source, GoBo and subject is going to be tough - Snoots are bad enough and they are attached to the strobe !

Paul C

No, I really mean GoBo. See the link in my first post and check the first picture. It blocks the light in one direction only, which could be the area between the subject and the lens (the subject should be lit of course) in UW applications.

Snoot is used a lot recently, but I think GoBo could be used as well.

Technically I think the cardboard masking the light spill from the flash is actually called a flag.

My impression is a GoBo is something you shoot your flash through to create an interesting pattern. An example of a GoBo (at least to me) would be placing a glass vase between the flash and subject (or some other object that light can pass through).

Cheers

BC

Technically I think the cardboard masking the light spill from the flash is actually called a flag.

 

My impression is a GoBo is something you shoot your flash through to create an interesting pattern. An example of a GoBo (at least to me) would be placing a glass vase between the flash and subject (or some other object that light can pass through).

 

Cheers

BC

No, it's called "grid"

Not aware of anyone using one specifically.

 

Have seen (and done myself ) some 'waving of hand' in front of strobe during a shot.

 

On land these things take some setting up - in the water it will be tricky to be as exact as you can get in a studio.

 

For me I think keeping the registration between the light source, GoBo and subject is going to be tough - Snoots are bad enough and they are attached to the strobe !

 

Paul C

It could be something rectangular sheet, sturdier than a cardboard, that could be folded out when needed. It would also help to aim your strobe.

I think it would be much easier to handle than a snoot.

Marcell

It could be something rectangular sheet, sturdier than a cardboard, that could be folded out when needed. It would also help to aim your strobe.

I think it would be much easier to handle than a snoot.

Well, I am ready to be impressed - please take some shots and post them !

I am still struggling with the "£$%!!% snoot!

Paul C

Well, I am ready to be impressed - please take some shots and post them !

 

I am still struggling with the "£$%!!% snoot!

 

Paul C

Well, it's just an idea, but I might give a try. It will probably take long time to realize it considering my speed.

I am in lighting class right now, and learning about all the different lighting teqs. I fully plan on bringing my knowledge underwater

I'm pretty certain that a few of the prominent uw fashion photographers bring their entire set underwater, including soft boxes, umbrellas, diffusers, cutters, and snoots, If seem some set ups with 4-6 lights around the area.

However, I'm not sure on how practical some of this stuff is in the real world. Including the cutter/gobo

Strictly speaking a gobo is any device used to modify the shape of the light. Heres a Wikipedia description:

'A gobo (or GOBO) derived from "Go Between" or GOes Before Optics -originally used on film sets between a light source and the set is a physical template slotted inside, or placed in front of, a lighting source, used to control the shape of emitted light.

In the design of an artificial environment in which lighting instruments are used, it is sometimes desirable to manipulate the shape of the light which is cast over a space or object. To do so, a piece of material with patterned holes through which light passes is placed in the beam of light to allow only the desired "shape" or pattern through, while blocking the rest of the light, casting a specific shadow/light into the space.

Though the term "gobo" has come to generally refer to any device which produces patterns of light and shadow or various pieces of equipment that go before a light (such as a gobo arm or gobo head)[1], the specific term itself also defines the device used in theatrical lighting applications because of the mandated placement of the device in 'the gate' or 'point of focus' between the light source and the lenses (or optics). This placement is important because it allows the focusing of the pattern or shape into a crisp, sharp edge (for logos, fine detail, architecture, etc.) and also the softening the edges (breakup patterns, etc.). On film sets gobos, also known as Flags and "cookies" which are placed in the beam of light post-optics do not have the option of such fine focus.'

Seems to me it's really a more general term that could describe a number of different devices ranging from a flag to a pattern generating device, or even a less restricted snoot type device, and how it's used does seem to be related to where it's used, on a movie set, theatre or in a studio with strobes. In a studio with strobes, in the books I have, gobo and flag appear to be used interchangeably, and then there are also scrims which diminish light without complete obstruction with semi-transparent flag type devices.

If one is trying to direct light without actually restricting the amount of light, possibly the use of a device like a 'grid' would be more effective. A grid could be made with say half inch length soda straws packed together, as it's described here http://www.pixalo.com/community/tutorials-...00-a-30807.html

Anybody have a source for black soda straws? =)

s.

I picked mine up at a local restaurant supply. Huge box for like $3. The other option is be nice to your local bartender. Old wetsuit sleeve + spray paint can lid =

Snoot/grid/gobo This was shot with the Tokina 10-17 and the little Zen dome, regulation size rubber duck.

Cheers,

Steve

Nice new duck Steve - this one has sunglases - did you fail to pay the last one and he left you in a huff ?

Paul C

Strictly speaking a gobo is any device used to modify the shape of the light. Heres a Wikipedia description:

'A gobo (or GOBO) derived from "Go Between" or GOes Before Optics -originally used on film sets between a light source and the set is a physical template slotted inside, or placed in front of, a lighting source, used to control the shape of emitted light.

In the design of an artificial environment in which lighting instruments are used, it is sometimes desirable to manipulate the shape of the light which is cast over a space or object. To do so, a piece of material with patterned holes through which light passes is placed in the beam of light to allow only the desired "shape" or pattern through, while blocking the rest of the light, casting a specific shadow/light into the space.

Though the term "gobo" has come to generally refer to any device which produces patterns of light and shadow or various pieces of equipment that go before a light (such as a gobo arm or gobo head)[1], the specific term itself also defines the device used in theatrical lighting applications because of the mandated placement of the device in 'the gate' or 'point of focus' between the light source and the lenses (or optics). This placement is important because it allows the focusing of the pattern or shape into a crisp, sharp edge (for logos, fine detail, architecture, etc.) and also the softening the edges (breakup patterns, etc.). On film sets gobos, also known as Flags and "cookies" which are placed in the beam of light post-optics do not have the option of such fine focus.'

 

Seems to me it's really a more general term that could describe a number of different devices ranging from a flag to a pattern generating device, or even a less restricted snoot type device, and how it's used does seem to be related to where it's used, on a movie set, theatre or in a studio with strobes. In a studio with strobes, in the books I have, gobo and flag appear to be used interchangeably, and then there are also scrims which diminish light without complete obstruction with semi-transparent flag type devices.

 

If one is trying to direct light without actually restricting the amount of light, possibly the use of a device like a 'grid' would be more effective. A grid could be made with say half inch length soda straws packed together, as it's described here http://www.pixalo.com/community/tutorials-...00-a-30807.html

I see that GoBo is a wider meaning term. I've learnt it from the strobist site, and I used it that way, but maybe cutter or flag would explain better what I mean. I draw a sketch of the setup I'm thinking about. It's very draft, don't laugh at it, but I hope it explains well:

I see no reason why your device should not work Marcell, but I'm not sure it will conserve the amount of light put out of your strobes as you allude to vs just angling your strobes, unless you use a reflective surface on the flag.

One thing I have found underwater in the pool using various devices like softboxes, grids, snoots etc is that there is significantly more diffusion / scatter of light

underwater than in air, so it is more difficult to obtain the same directional control.

Steve,

Your grid is cool, now you have to go find different diameter straws so you can make tighter and wider grids.

I see no reason why your device should not work Marcell, but I'm not sure it will conserve the amount of light put out of your strobes as you allude to vs just angling your strobes, unless you use a reflective surface on the flag.

One thing I have found underwater in the pool using various devices like softboxes, grids, snoots etc is that there is significantly more diffusion / scatter of light

underwater than in air, so it is more difficult to obtain the same directional control.

I don't know, maybe it wouldn't gain that much. My idea was that the center of the strobe is always stronger and by angling the strobe we may have lots of losses around the edge. Perhaps it's not so dramatic. If we aim the strobe towards the subject and just cut the light before the subject we may use the strobe power more efficiently. It's easy to make the surface of the sheet reflective by using adhesive aluminium foil. Perhaps I'm wrong.

I may give a try in the future.

Marcell

Hi Paul,

That's my Arizona duck, it was 112 F / 45 C at the time

Jeff,

If you slide out the straws the sleeve alone is a little wider, I was thinking about it for CFWA work.

Marcell, your flag is worth a try. In open water you might have issues with current etc. May be hard to keep it in one place. I couldn't figure out a clean way to attach a flat plate to a round strobe for ocean work.

Cheers,

Steve

Marcell, your flag is worth a try. In open water you might have issues with current etc. May be hard to keep it in one place. I couldn't figure out a clean way to attach a flat plate to a round strobe for ocean work.

 

Cheers,

Steve

Hi Steve,

Your grid is great. I will certainly give a try to GoBO but I won't have option for diving in the next 3-4 months, but the idea is opened to be exploited. I also have round shape strobe and fitting a flat plate could be a challenge. But not impossible.

Cheers

Marcell