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DPChallenge Forums >> Challenge Results >> Portraits by the Clock
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Showing posts 1 - 14 of 14, (reverse)
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02/27/2006 10:56:20 PM · #1
A friend told me this recently, said he'd learned it while apprenticing with an old film master years ago. The advice is simple and effective so I thought I'd share.

To create a perfect portrait think of the clock. Think of your own position as 6:00, 12:00 being behind your model. Put your model in the middle of your imaginary clock. Arrange your model (in ambient light) or your lights (in studio) so that the strongest light (key light) is at 4:00 and your reflector or fill light at 7:00. Have the model's body facing 8:00 and face toward 4:00 (or the other way around for a more dramatic look). Tweak the posing a bit and you have it.

For a basic portrait - its terrific. Tried & true.
02/27/2006 11:01:50 PM · #2
Ack - hit the wrong Forum category. Would some nice SC please move to Photo Discuss?? :D *blush*
02/27/2006 11:04:03 PM · #3
thanks for the tip!
02/27/2006 11:07:46 PM · #4
Originally posted by idnic:

A friend told me this recently, said he'd learned it while apprenticing with an old film master years ago. The advice is simple and effective so I thought I'd share.

To create a perfect portrait think of the clock. Think of your own position as 6:00, 12:00 being behind your model. Put your model in the middle of your imaginary clock. Arrange your model (in ambient light) or your lights (in studio) so that the strongest light (key light) is at 4:00 and your reflector or fill light at 7:00. Have the model's body facing 8:00 and face toward 4:00 (or the other way around for a more dramatic look). Tweak the posing a bit and you have it.

For a basic portrait - its terrific. Tried & true.


Very cool tip Thanks!
02/28/2006 12:26:54 AM · #5
Doesn't help me - I have a digital clock! ;-P
02/28/2006 12:31:35 AM · #6
Great info expecially for some one just starting out like me

Message edited by author 2006-03-08 19:16:37.
02/28/2006 12:32:17 AM · #7
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Doesn't help me - I have a digital clock! ;-P


roflmao!
02/28/2006 12:36:55 AM · #8
02/28/2006 01:41:12 AM · #9
I don't know about your models but 4 and 8 seem rather ridiculous for the head/body alignment... that's more than 90 degrees off center. Is there a typo there?

Message edited by author 2006-02-28 01:41:53.
02/28/2006 01:56:01 AM · #10
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Doesn't help me - I have a digital clock! ;-P


You think thats bad? It really stops making sense when you use a binary clock!
02/28/2006 07:32:21 AM · #11
And what the devil do you do with a guy with 5 o'clock shadow????

Sorry. :)
02/28/2006 08:42:50 AM · #12
Doesn't work for biological clock either! lol
02/28/2006 09:15:15 AM · #13
If you follow the clock formula - your end result should look something like this



The pose is a little modified in this shot, but he lighting / reflector set-up is as described below.
02/28/2006 10:23:30 PM · #14
Tick Tock - little bumpsie for the rollover folk.
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