Portrait with glitter

[abisurd]

First, I'll show you the final image I got.



The Setup

This photo was taken in my bedroom. The backdrop is a black piece of cloth about 2.5 m by 3.5m supported by a DIY backdrop stand. The backdrop cost me about EUR 45 and can be assembled in less than 3 minutes. On this backdrop, I put a 2 meters long piece of cloth that had shiny yellow dots on it. I bought it at a local market for about EUR 5.

Lighting setup

I used two flash lights triggered remotely by cheap radio triggers bought off eBay. One flash was placed low, pointing upwards directly in front of the backdrop. The idea was to get some reflection into the camera.

Then I placed the model in front of it so that she hides the flash behind her. I took a couple of shots to adjust the power of the flash behind her.

Next I added the second flash with a shoot-through umbrella (my only light modifier back then). It was placed at 45 degrees to her, camera-left. Luckily, I got that setting right and the first shot itself was a success. I only had to adjust the backdrop to make ti flatter.

Here is a composite that shows these steps. Click it to view in large size.


Whats wrong with the lighting?

The task for you now is to tell me what mistake I did in lighting the model.
Hint: Its the one with the shoot-through umbrella and not the backdrop light.

[CodyJefferies]

I Love this idea.... I am going to try this using a very vintage feeling...think The Supremes in front of this.... super glammed up. I am also thinking about the effects of using different gels. Thanks for the great idea. I would love to see more of your shots with this look!

[Rob.Dames]

Well it looks great to me. I look forward to you telling us where you went wrong with the lighting?

[i speak in math]

well the key appears to be from the bottom which isn't that flattering especially on her nose. I would have liked to see a rim on the back of her hair to separate her a bit from the background. Its just sort of black now.

[abisurd]

Eric nailed it! I had not noticed the lighting from below unless someone pointed it out to me on a different forum. And the rim light, never thought of it for this shot.

Originally Posted by i speak in math

well the key appears to be from the bottom which isn't that flattering especially on her nose. I would have liked to see a rim on the back of her hair to separate her a bit from the background. Its just sort of black now.

My problem is that I take the camera and shoot, shoot, shoot... I need to plan the shoots, lighting etc and shoot more selective.

[Rob.Dames]

So would you have raised the lighting on the left above eye level? How would you achieve the rim on the back of her hair suggested by Eric?

[abisurd]

Originally Posted by Rob.Dames

... How would you achieve the rim on the back of her hair suggested by Eric?

For that, you can use a bare flash placed behind her, to her left (camera right), at 45 degrees to her.Cartographically, if she's facing north, this flash will be south-West. You would like to place it at very low power and might wan to put a 'gobo' so that the light from this flash does not hit the camera and cause flare in the image.

Here is a rough sketch of the setup.http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6Q3v86mlmm...era-772082.GIF

[KazeFox]

I think its a great idea, very nicely done, good job.