Camera Labs

In our school's Yearbook, a large amount of our monetization comes from student ads, which narrows down to people who buy a page with their face on it.

The idea this year is to do a custom portrait of the student as a main image for each ad (consistency is key).
Being new to non-candid portrait shots, what would be the best lighting set up?
Something generic, but maybe even dramatic?

Dramatic because that is the style I'd like them to be in (personal creative stuffs), and generic because we only have one strobe, and no lightboxes .

Any ideas for basic lighting set-ups? Tips? I'm not too great of a people-person, any communication tips, even?

Thanks in advance!

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Flickr
Current equipment: Nikon D90, 18-105mm
Wishlist: 50mm f/1.4/8.

As for lighting, natural light is best and if you're not experienced, keep the lighting simple. One light source from a window and a reflector to one side to lift shadows will be enough with a simple backdrop (be it white or otherwise).

And as for the second problem, oh dear...

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Nikonian

http://www.edtangphotography.com
http://journeysintophotography.blogspot.com/

Haha, I'll take that as, "this one is hard, but you have a chance"

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Flickr
Current equipment: Nikon D90, 18-105mm
Wishlist: 50mm f/1.4/8.

very astute, Kirt!!!!

will wait to see how it comes out...


patti

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canon 7D, Mark iii 5D, ef 70-300 f/4-5.6, ef 28-135mm canon 100-400mm L IS 4.5, and a little 24-70 L f/2.8...