lighting setup help: needs to look "overcast"

10/18/2007 12:52:19 PM · #1

hello --

studio setup challenge for you all to help me with.

i've got a job tomorrow that originally called for studio shots of people holding umbrellas (it's a long story) that were to be shot on white and used in white-background billboards.

now, however, the setup has changed and the shots will be placed on a "rainy" background instead of straight-up white. i've been told that the lighting needs to be "darker" so it looks like things are overcast.

i think the art director for this really has no idea what she wants. i don't think she wants shots of people standing in the rain on her billboard.

so, my question is, what do YOU think would be appropriate to light these scene? or is this just something that we're going to have to do in post?

thoughts?

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/18/2007 01:12:31 PM · #2

I guess since clouds generate a really soft, diffused light, that's what you should go for.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/18/2007 01:33:32 PM · #3

What

gloda said.

Here's my thought on implementation: If you have a neutral colored ceiling in studio, then point your lights up at the ceiling and allow for a lot of "soft, broad light" coming down from the ceiling.

But then ... don't forget your roots! I'd still treat it as a portrait photograph shoot and use a large soft box (5' or as large as you can get) off to the side for some nice modeling light to give a 3D feel to the image.

tcmartin

Canon EOS-40D

10/18/2007 01:41:39 PM · #4

What they said AND ...
What if you set your white balance to the temp of an overcast sky - i.e. around 6000K. On my 40D I can dial in the temp. I wonder if you would get a difference by setting up the white balance for the shot versus adjusting the RAW later...

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

10/18/2007 01:47:14 PM · #5

Years ago when I assisted a commercial photographer, we did a shot like this. It involved a large silk "rag" like this hung overhead in a frame, with a couple large softboxes above that aiming straight down at the silk. VERY nice diffusion this way. We also used large softboxes (powered down) from the front and sides, and for the background as well. Granted, he had 20 foot ceilings in his studio as this setup gets pretty high, so might not be feasible depending on your ceiling. Too expensive to buy just for this, but you can rent if you have a studio supply in your area. Good luck!

10/18/2007 01:50:44 PM · #6

ok, cool. these are great ideas so far.

i just wish i had a chance to test this stuff before tomorrow morning. dang clients!

ceiling height is not a problem, but i don't have a boom to get lights above them. hmmm...need to think about that.

more ideas?

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

10/18/2007 02:03:30 PM · #7

and

i'm going to have a hard time lighting from above if the people are holding an umbrella opened over their head. grumble grumble. i somehow need to work "gloomy" light up and under the umbrella?

*boggle*

lovethelight

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

10/18/2007 02:09:15 PM · #8

I would say first of all work on a black background or work with a white background but have your model stand far away from the background and only light the model, this will create a musty grayish background. I would say Light from above and to the side with a not very bright light and then a stronger light lower and two the same side to emulate the sunlight direction and have that one light the face and body of the model, you should see if you can get a fog machine or something too...that could be cool. :)
My 2 cents

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/18/2007 02:37:19 PM · #9

Hm... maybe you can use the umbrellas? Use the white photography umbrellas, the light will be diffused through them rather than just creating shadows. Of course, white umbrellas might not be what the art director was looking for, but it could be changed in post processing. Not the best way to do things though.

geoffb

10/18/2007 04:20:15 PM · #10

Originally posted by muckpond:

Is it plausible to attach some very low intensity lights to the inside of the umbrella, to help fill the shadows? An SB-800 on 1/128 power, maybe, or perhaps something even lower?

fotomann_forever

10/18/2007 04:27:26 PM · #11

I think I would try large diffusion panels. Or really big soft boxes or softboxes behind diffusion panels.

The general consensus is that you need lighting as soft as possible. I think it needs to come from above just a bit, but not necessarily from the ceiling.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

10/18/2007 06:50:13 PM · #12

hmm.. maybe diffuse the light which comes from below/front with something grey. light the BG on its own - and bounce that back onto the front/tops of the umbrellas with a reflector..

just thinking out loud - though.

10/18/2007 08:44:10 PM · #13

well, i tried some setups tonight. long story short, i'm just going to have to wing it. there's no way i can match the lighting to a background that i've not even seen yet. i'm going to go with some diffused light and skip trying to deal with the background b/c it's probably all going to get clipped out anyway.

so, in 4 days when i have a "help how do i make something look overcast in photoshop" thread, you all be ready. :)