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01/21/2011 12:11:42 PM · #1 |
So I've got an interesting photoshoot coming up this evening: the pregnant belly of a friend's sister. (and no charge = no pressure!)
I've decided to use the KISS princicple (keep it simple stupid!), meaning traditional black background and some basic poses, etc.
The main question I've got for you guys is what type of lighting setup / equipment is used to best isolate parts of subjets (i.e. only belly, for example)? I imagine that this should be relatively easy, but is something I've always had trouble with (even with a forgiving black background) and would appreciate some feedback.
What I've got in mind is softboxed flash super close to the area that I want to isolate, but it seems like no matter what I do, light always seems to bounce
around everywhere and light up other unwanted parts of the subject (not a surprise seeing as I've got white walls)
Maybe a grid within a snoot?
Thanks for any advice you guys have
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01/21/2011 12:52:57 PM · #2 |
Well, the softbox is designed for dispersal, so that's half your problem there. You need a stricter modified, like a grid, snoot, barn doors, flag, etc. Grid AND snoot seems redundant, and not sure how you'd attach together anyway. If you're only using one light, it's really easy to get dramatic lighting, even with a white bg. Keep the power low and the source lose to the subject. But for really isolating and dark, you need a dark bg.
Message edited by author 2011-01-21 12:53:18. |
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01/21/2011 02:20:57 PM · #3 |
I'd say that try to have quite a bit of distance between you subject and the (black) background and then have the light as close to your subject as possible (while being out of frame) on a low setting. Since the intensity of light is proportional to the inverse of the square of this distance to source this should illuminate your subject nicely but ensure you get very little illumination of the background.
You made need to raise the black pointin post (but I doubt it will need much). If you really struggle, download a trial of Nik Software's Viveza and use a control point to darken the black while keeping another control point (neutral) on your subject. I'd doubt you'd need it with this setup and you could use a soft box for diffusion, in fact that should help since the maximum intensity of any 'spilled' light will be minimised.
Others may have other ideas, but that's how I'd do it.
Paul |
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01/21/2011 06:36:27 PM · #4 |
cool - thanks for the tips guys.
Just about to start things up - What I've done is gone to get some extra black velvet and use it as a "bag" to catch stray light
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01/22/2011 01:55:19 AM · #5 |
The advice already given is solid, especially the instruction for you to consider inverse square law here. It's what is really going to be at work if you're having spill problems.
Do you have a grid you can stick in your softbox, like how the Apollo SB works? If so, you can cut down the spread of the light a bit on it. To really take advantage of this approach for your shoot, you could aim the sb so that it is only just starting to taper the light at the point of her belly. What I mean by this is that you don't aim it directly at her... but instead somewhat past her. At a certain point, your light starts to spill onto her instead of going past, so it's at that point you want it because her belly will be protruding and getting more of that nice falloff. Put it as close as possible to maximize falloff, and you should get a nice, natural increase in light intensity on her stomach.
Alternately, you could use whatever you want for general fill and then a second light with snoot or grid or barndoor to spotlight the belly. Again, be aware that there is still that feathering on the edge which can be useful for positioning.
ETA: Make sure when using these approaches that you tell her to keep in position once your lights are set or you'll get really frustrated with inconsistent lighting.
Message edited by author 2011-01-22 01:59:55. |
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01/22/2011 11:42:01 AM · #6 |
Besides the ideas allready presented I would just add two more.
The first is, if you're softbox isnot recessed (have a slight border outside the white fabric that soften the light) you might consider putting a few centimeters of black tape so you can control a bit th espill light to the sides.
the second advice is that you should putt your softbox just a bit from behind your subject. This way the light is comming away from the background, not pointing it. And as it is a very difuse light it will still be wrapping your subject. try diferente angles and sort out what is the best one for you. |
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