Model Lighting Technique

[GB1]

I recently attended a glamour lighting workshop. Here's one of the shots: I am interested in your opinion as to how it looks. It was done using the lighting technique taught in the class.

Also posting a warm up shot of the same model, Lauren.

GB

[DTxOCtavariumx]

I think the lighting is perfect to me. It's not too harsh or to flat. Good job.

[Dubbs5050]

I think you nailed it, especially in the first one. Care to share how you set up?

[PhilF]

nice separation...I take you metered the bg 2 stops lower?

[Franglais]

Let me guess.
Large umbrella on the right of the photographer as main light
Light with barndoors behind the model on the left as we look at the picture to give a highlight in her hair and the contour on her right leg.

I would say that the umbrella is a bit too close to her. The illumination on the parts closest to the light (hands) is brighter than that on her face

I edit the image a bit:
- reduce the wrinkles on her armpit
- remove the hotspots on her nose and mouth
- burn in her left hand and arm
- lighten the whites of her eyes a bit. The eyes are the most important part and they are a bit buried

[Anbesol]

Agree with whats already been said, also would like to add that the subject and background lighting do not compliment each other, I would like to see the background light complimenting the subject. The lighting of the model and background are clearly two different things. Of course, with strobes outside I realize this is a limited possibility, so more a critique of the photo itself than the applied technique.

The second shot is closer to this - but the model looks pissed, and in a very plain pose in that one.

[LeeIs]

You've done a great job GB. love the 2nd shot as it gives the context to these classes with the models in the BG. maybe one day, i'll find a cool class like this to join and improve my lighting, which totally sucks ass at the moment.

[GB1]

The workshop was on outdoor lighting and the instructor was provided a tripod with (I'm guessing) about a 350 W strobe and battery pack. The idea is to use the sun as the primary light, or secondary depending how its intensity, and the artificial light as the other source.

What we were shooting for here is a "rim" light effect, where you create a more 3-D and attractive look by using one light somewhere between slightly behind the model or slightly in front of her, then, as Charles deduced, another light at about 60 degrees on the front side of the model (I am probably not explaining this too well). Lighting is an evolved subject and there's many different theories and techniques that different photographers use, and many prefer a third (from behind) or even fourth light (hair, etc) .. The only limit is one's imagination and how many lights they have (and want to carry - no small consideration when trekking around).

Finally, we used a circular polarizer, which was a surprise to me .. I was always under the impression that this will make the image colder via adding blues, especially outdoors, but the instructor taught that it added more saturated colors and depth to the photo. He said that one can always warm it up a bit in post processing if desired.

The top image I posted used the technique he taught. The bottom one was a warm up snapshot that I shot beforehand. I don't remember if I used a fill flash on it, and the EXIF only says "Return light detected, compulsory mode" whatever that means, but I don't think so.

I'm really interested in really trying more of this technique -- it seems to bring out much more vibrancy, and the shots look a lot more professional.

DTx - thanks for the eval.

Dubbs - thanks too, please read the above.

Phil - Actually, I did shoot manual but I didn't have a light meter, just experimented real quick by looking at the LCD screen and adjusting (the beauty of digital I suppose). Does it look like two full stops to ya?... I am thinking one, but whatever. By doing this by accident, I think I discovered a cool effect, under exposing the background and compensating with the flash on the subject (this has been around for awhile, though I've never done it).

Charles - As you can read above you're half right .. Just used the sun instead of the barndoors (a lot cheaper and lighter ). I see what you mean about the strobe being a tad close .. not terrible, but good eye in making this catch.

All four bullets are great suggestions BTW.. I will try it. I will post the results here.

Anbesol - Interesting observations. I will assume that when you say first and second you mean top and bottom (always a pt of confusion on this site ..). Yes, the effect certainly creates separation between her and the background. Is this bad? Depends ... it definitely isn't as harmonious (I have a theory that contrast equates to conflict, whereas no contrast is harmonious...). Does she really look upset to you in the bottom shot? I thought the opposite, that she looked a bit mean in the top one and smirking in the bottom (which was a warm up). Interesting... But thanks for commenting. I guess it's 100% how it's perceived, and the technique is just a tool to create what you have in mind.

Liban - Thanks, and yes that is typically what these group shoots are like. This one was probably the largest one I've attended, where the crowd was from the LA area instead of San Diego, and I could definitely feel a different vibe. If you're interested in attending one in California sometime, check out these links:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=644996

http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/376476/viewall

Long ways from Canada, but maybe in Jan or Feb you'll need a break from the weather. I think the winter shoots are indoors though.

G