How can I reduce strobe exposure in a studio while keeping a wider aperture?

Question

I’m shooting in a studio with a paper backdrop lit by a gridded light for a gradient effect, and my subject is about 3 feet in front of the background with separate umbrella lighting. Even at ISO 100, 1/250s (max sync), minimum strobe power, and f/22, the image is still overexposed.

I’d like to avoid shooting at my smallest aperture because I want more flexibility and a little less background detail/texture in focus. What are the best ways to cut the amount of flash light reaching the camera or subject in this kind of setup?

user37321 · Answer

I think the approach will depend on several things: if the light is soft or harsh, if the overexposed illumination is over the entire scene or just a part of it.

ND Filter

If the entire scene is lit then you can try using a ND filter. If you use a 4x ND filter you can reduce the exposure from f22 to f11 or with an 8x to f8. A polarizing filter will also cut light if you don't have reflective surfaces or already polarized light.

Soft light

You can try using ND gel filters for the lights. You can also use wax paper to lower the light on individual strobes. Put the paper or gel over the flash head. Just be careful to ensure that the paper you are using doesn't change your white balance.

Harsh light

You can use a cardboard of black paper to make a mask on the light and move your lights further away. Twice the distance = 1/4 the light. Use the cardboard to maintain a similar shape regardless of the light distance.

The gel flash filters can also work but probably can scatter the light a bit. The wax paper option will diffuse it, but it is still an option if you have a considerable distance to your subject.

The cheaper way

Just put your lights further away.