How did they do the lighting in this photo?

[mschaning]

I saw this ad and I kind of like how they did the lighting:

http://www.golite.com/images/homepag...portrait_4.jpg

Can someone tell me how they most likely did it? Is there a light placed directly behind the subject, another light off to the right out of the picture, and then the sun in the background? Just my guess, but I'm new to this. Thanks.

[dakwegmo]

I don't know exactly how it was done, but judging by the shadows there were at least two lights used. One flash directly behind him, likely pointed straight at the camera or just a bare bulb. And the other light coming from overhead and to the right of the camera, that might even be the second light you see in the frame. The color of the sky leads me to believe it was either early morning right before sun up, or late evening right after sun down.

[ttosifa]

I agree pretty much with what dakwegmo says + a large reflector camera left for fill. You can see the reflection of it on his left inside thigh.

Actually, this could've been taken anytime during the day by underexposing the ambient, slapping CTO gel on the flashes, and setting WB to tungsten or custom. His DOF looks deep, suggesting a small aperture.

[candleman]

i'd say two flashes,

one directly behind him bare, which also illuminates the rocks.

one off to the right, somewhat diffused
the shadow cast on the inside of his thigh by his arm is a bit harsh for a reflector IMHO

as above with Gels

[ttosifa]

Originally Posted by candleman

the shadow cast on the inside of his thigh by his arm is a bit harsh for a reflector IMHO

as above with Gels

Other thigh -- I meant his actual left thigh, not his camera left thigh. Absent a reflector, the shadow on his face and the inside of his actual left thigh should be as dark as the shadow on his actual right inside thigh created by his arm, I would think.

[LeeR]

The more I look at this, the more I am convinced that there at least two different shots here: the man, probably shot in a studio, and the rocks, trees and sun in the background. They have cleverly blended the light to make it looks like they belong together, but if there was a flash directly behind the man, and there surely was, the shadow in front of his feet should be far sharper.

[Perrojose]

Originally Posted by LeeR

The more I look at this, the more I am convinced that there at least two different shots here: the man, probably shot in a studio, and the rocks, trees and sun in the background.

you're right, all the shadows to prove it. the shadows cast by the subject does not coincide with those of the rocks, I dare say that the sun is not real either!

[GadgetRick]

Fairly easy shot. 3 light sources...sun and two flashes.

[mschaning]

Thanks to all for the info. I think I might have to try a shot like this. Cheers.

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by LeeR

The more I look at this, the more I am convinced that there at least two different shots here: the man, probably shot in a studio, and the rocks, trees and sun in the background. They have cleverly blended the light to make it looks like they belong together, but if there was a flash directly behind the man, and there surely was, the shadow in front of his feet should be far sharper.

Is a cleverly worked composite the only option for softening those shadows? It seems to me that adding a reflector or even a very low powered fill light would take the edge off the shadows. Alternatively, couldn't they have opened up those shadows in post rather than resorting to stacking photos? I'm not saying I know for sure, and if there's other evidence that leads you to believe it's a composite I'd be very interested to hear it.

One thing I know about GoLite, is that they often go out of their way to find people that actually use their products for their marketing materials. It seems to me that they wouldn't go to the effort to find athletes, just to photograph them in a studio.

Originally Posted by Perrojose

you're right, all the shadows to prove it. the shadows cast by the subject does not coincide with those of the rocks, I dare say that the sun is not real either!

If you look at where the shadows don't exactly coincide you can get a pretty accurate idea of where the lights are placed. Though, I agree with you, about the sun. I don't think it's in the shot. Like I said above, that's a strobe above and to the right of the model.