Jeff Minton’s crispy-ish lighting of juggling champ September 8, 2010 — 2 Comments
copyright, Jeff Minton Jeff’s lighting usually has a seemingly simple, pleasing quality to it (though there’s more going on than we’d think). In this image for the New York Times Magazine, Jeff has managed to evenly light the room and bring out the character of the subjects with 4 lights. To get a better look at the image, click here.
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Camera: Canon 1Ds Mark II with 35mm lens, handheld 10 feet back from the subjects. Shot at 1/250, f5.6, ISO 100. Lighting: It’s not easy to light a large room like this, but no prob for jeff. The key light is a white beauty dish at f8, up high and eight feet to camera left, aimed at the juggler’s head. The room is lit by an on-camera ring flash a f5.6, which also serves as a nice fill for all the people. A standard reflector at f8 is out of frame to camera left and positioned three feet past the older man. A narrow beam reflector with barn doors at f11 is placed outside the window to camera right and aimed in at the juggler’s head, creating the hair highlights and rim lighting on his shoulder. The mountains outside are pretty evenly lit by a cloudy sky, metering at f5.6. Comments: Jeff brought along a whole arsenal of juggling objects other than the pins: chainsaws, machetes, chickens, tennis racquets, bowling balls, torches, urban axes and legs of lamb. Unfortunately, he never got to shoot with any of them. Early in the day, the juggler dropped a pin which chipped the coffee table. The elderly woman in the shot, who also owned the home, threw a fit and everyone out. She then called her son-in-law to come by with “some glue” and “maybe a pliers” to fix the table before her Texas Hold’em group met the following morning. Share this:
Like this: Like Be the first to like this.
In lighting tips
juggling, lighting, magazine, minton, new york times, photographer, photography, portrait, tips
Dan Winters’ lighting for Schwarzenegger portrait September 7, 2010 — 10 Comments
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
copyright, Dan Winters This personality-filled, personality portrait of the Governator from Dan’s book Periodical Photographs was created with 2 light sources. Camera: Sinar F1 4×5 camera with Schneider 210mm lens and Kodak Portra 160 NC negative film, set on a tripod 8 feet back. Shot at 1/60, converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
f22, ISO 80 (pulled 1 stop). Lighting: The beauty of all Dan’s images lies in his signature, simple lighting. The key light here is a large octabank at f22 six feet to camera right. An on-camera ring flash at f11 adds just enough punch to open the shadows. Comments: While Arnold was blowing this big league-sized bubble, the producer asked him how many fish tacos he wanted for lunch. Share this:
Like this: Loading...
Like Be the first to like this.
In lighting tips
celebrity, fine art, lighting, photographer, photography, portrait, Schwarzenegger, tips, winters
What does an “octabank at f8″ really mean? September 3, 2010 — 7 Comments
I’ve received a bunch of questions asking what I mean when I say things like: “The key light is a silver beauty dish at f11” “Another medium softbox at f2.8 is four feet to camera right” “The fill is a medium strip at f5.6” All of these f-stop numbers are the individual light levels your light meter will read at the listed shutter speed and ISO. For example, if I’ve stated that the image was shot at 1/125, ISO 100, the f-stop number (i.e. octabank at f8) is what that octabank reads on your meter, with those settings, when fired. I don’t comment on the power level of the actual light pack because that won’t do us much good in recreating the lighting setup. Power levels are arbitrary and vary depending on too many things (pack power, distance of light from subject, light modifiers, etc.). Hope that helps more than confuses. If someone can explain it better, please take a crack at it.
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Share this:
Like this: Loading...
In lighting tips, ted
f stop, lighting, octabank, photographer, photography, question, ted, tips
Sacha Waldman lighting for Kohler campaign September 2, 2010 — 4 Comments
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
copyright, Sacha Waldman This mid-century feeling ventriloquist shot from the Kohler faucet campaign (photographer’s alternate cropping) gets funnier the longer you look at it. It was created with 9 strobes and 12 AC slaves with standard household, screw-type, lamp socket connections. Camera: Contax 645 with 55mm lens and Leaf Aptus 22 back, set on a tripod 8 feet from closest models. Shot at 1/125, f16, ISO 100. Lighting: A lot of light is used for this large set and cast. The key light is a 7’ Octabank at f16 (without any baffle) boomed 5 feet directly over camera and angled downward. A large softbox at f11 is centered below and just in front of camera, angled upward. Notice the nice highlights on the faucet this creates. Another large softbox at f16 is boomed high over and 9 feet in front of camera, out of frame and angled downward at a 30 degree angle. High out of frame and to camera left, a normal reflector at f11 1/2 is angled downward toward the center of frame. Stuck up in the top center of the tent, a standard reflector at f22 and attached to the pole creates the bright highlights on the material. In the rear of the tent to camera left, another standard reflector at f22 is hidden behind the fold and aimed upward. Outside the rear of the tent high to camera right, a magnum reflector at f22 is pointed downward. This creates the flare in the tent hole and the highlights on the man standing in the opening. Hidden behind the open trunk in the rear to camera right, a standard reflector at f22 is aimed into the bottom of the tent. Out of frame to camera right and ten feet in front of the camera, a standard reflector at f16 is aimed toward the middle of frame. This helps light the second row of models. The string of bare light bulbs and the hanging lantern are AC slaves. With longer recycling times, some did not fire every shot. Whew. That was a mouthful. Comments: Having all the ventriloquists drink water was a genius idea conceptually, but led to “logistical” challenges. Nothing a row of luxury Porta-Johns directly outside the tent couldn’t fix, though. converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Share this:
Like this: Loading...
In lighting tips
advertising, campaign, circus, kohler, lighting, photographer, photography, portrait, tips, waldman
Andrew Zuckerman’s lighting for “Creature” book image September 1, 2010 — Leave a comment
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
copyright, Andrew Zuckerman One of the many shots compiled for Zuckerman’s book Creature, this quite gorgeous and graphically-framed image of a Bald Eagle was created with 4 lights. Camera: Hasselblad H1 with 120mm macro lens and Leaf Aptus 75 digital back, set on a tripod 6 feet back from the bird. Shot at 1/125, f5.6, ISO 200. Lighting: Andrew’s goal is to make the bird look as “natural” as possible, so the light is crisp, but flat. A large octabank at f5.6 without any baffle is boomed over the camera and 3 feet toward the bird. A silver beauty dish at f5.6 is boomed below the camera and 3 feet toward the bird. Two large strip banks at f8 are camera left and right of the bird, and 5 feet behind it, to light the white backdrop evenly. Comments: The eagle nearly walked (flew) off the set when an assistant inadvertently filled its water bowl with Evian instead of the Volvic water that had been stipulated in the contract. Andrew’s peace offering of an adult field mouse was accepted and the shoot proceeded without a hitch. Share this:
Like this: Loading...
In lighting tips
animal, book, creature, lighting, photographer, photography, portrait, tips, zuckerman
New posting style starts today September 1, 2010 — 13 Comments
Starting today, I’ll post in a new, simplified format. No more of the automatic picture slideshow. If you were a huge fan of that, much apologies. I think the new look allows you to better compare the photo with the lighting diagram. And some older computers didn’t handle the slideshow very well. The post will be up shortly. Let me know what you think. Share this: converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Like this: Loading...
In ted
ted
DiCorcia’s highly-narrative photo lighting for his “Heads” series August 31, 2010 — 5 Comments
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
copyright, Philip-Lorca DiCorcia These simple, yet highly-narrative, images from DiCorcia’s “Heads” series were secretly taken on the streets of New York City with 1 light (which was attached to scaffolding and unbeknownst to the subjects). Camera: Nikon F2 with 300mm lens and Kodak Portra 100 ASA film, set on a tripod across the street. Shot at 1/60, f22, ISO 100. The lens was stopped down to create a dark canvas for the characters to pop against. Lighting: The hidden strobe is a Profoto Magnum reflector with 10 degree honeycomb grid at f22. It’s positioned high and to camera left on temporary scaffolding with a super clamp. DiCorcia waits until a pedestrian walks by the marked spot, then takes their portrait. Comments: Most of the New Yorkers in this series were such New Yorkers that they didn’t really notice the blinding strobe flashing in their eyes and walked on without any comment. Except Erno Nussenzweig, who sued DiCorcia for $2 million before the case was finally dismissed. Share this:
2
Like this: Loading...
In lighting tips
camera, dicorcia, fine art, hidden, lighting, photographer, photography, portrait, tips
Chris Buck’s quietly-hilarious photo lighting of Steve Martin August 30, 2010 — 2 Comments
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
copyright, Chris Buck This quietly hilarious shot of Steve Martin was on the cover of Photo District News Magazine. And it’s deeper than it looks. It’s based on Robert Doisneau’s shot of Picasso taken in 1952 and an homage to all three artists. You can get the whole story here. Oh, and this shot was made with 1 light and the sun. Camera: Mamiya RZ67 with 110mm lens and Kodak Portra NC 400 ASA film, set on a tripod 10 feet back. Shot at 1/125, f5.6, ISO 400. Lighting: With the higher speed film, Chris is able to compliment the natural light from the window with 1 medium Octabank at f5.6 positioned three feet to camera right. For fill, a v-flat with the white side facing out is placed camera left of Steve, just out of frame. The sunlight through
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
the window at f4 helps to warm the room just a touch and create an evenly lit image with just enough contrast to pique our interest. Comments: There were originally five bread fingers for each hand, but Steve made a couple of Nutella sandwiches for breakfast before he realized he was eating the props. His look of shame is authentic even though everyone assured him it was no biggie. Share this:
2
Like this: Loading...
In lighting tips
buck, doisneau, lighting, magazine, martin, photographer, photography, picasso, portrait, steve, tips
Loretta Lux’s lighting of this child drummer who scares the crap out of me August 27, 2010 — 6 Comments
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
copyright, Loretta Lux Part of her haunting and surreal Works IV, The Drummer (although overall very flat) was made with 6 lights. Sometimes you need a lot of light to make it appear that you don’t. Camera: Nikon D2X with 50mm lens, set on tripod 8 feet from child. Shot at 1/60, f8, ISO 100. Lighting: Since Loretta’s goal is to create an uber-flat image, no key lighting exists. All of the lights are used to flatten the child’s skin tones, while leaving a hint of shadow (under his chin). 2 white umbrellas at f5.6 1/2 are six feet to both camera right and left, and 4 feet above the boy’s head. 2 normal reflectors on a light tree at f4 1/2 are bounced into the white side of a v-flat behind camera, just to the right. Another 2, with the exact setup, are just to the left. This helps to fill most of the shadow. Comments: For lunch, the caterer served fish sticks, chicken strips, carrot strips, apple strips and ketchup. The boy had been beating like a maniac on the drum, but stopped abruptly, here, when Loretta told him her real name is Share this:
30
Like this: Loading...
In lighting tips
children, drummer, fine art, lighting, lux, photographer, photography, portrait, tips
Aorta’s heroic and cinematic lighting for 125 Magazine August 26, 2010 — 3 Comments
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
copyright, Aorta This cinematic and heroic image for the cover 125 magazine was created with 5 lights. FYI, Aorta is Swedish duo Marco Grizelj and Kristian Kr채n.
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Camera: Hasselbad H2 with 80mm lens and Phase One P30+ digital back, set on a tripod twelve feet back. Shot at 1/125, f11, ISO 100. Lighting: The key light is a silver beauty dish at f11, seven feet to camera left and angled down. Another silver beauty dish (for fill, if you can call it that here) at f8 is set seven feet to camera right and angled down. A 30 degree grid reflector at f11 is positioned behind the door out of frame to the left. This creates the punchy light on the kneeling woman’s face and arm. An Elinchrom spot reflector at f11 positioned outside the glass doors shoots in. A normal reflector at f16 is boomed high above the main model and slightly behind her and to camera right. This gives the strong highlights on her hair. Comments: Team Aorta likes to give the talent intricate back stories to help shape the cinematic tenor of the image. For this shot, our hero woman’s husband smashed one of her favorite Norman Rockwell collector plates when she told him he couldn’t participate in fantasy football. She’s deciding between keying his cherry red 1967 Mercedes 250SL or divorce. Her mother, on the floor, is relieved because she had accidentally chipped the plate earlier this month and glued it back together. Now she will not be caught and disinvited from any future Thanksgiving dinners. Share this:
Like this: Loading...
In lighting tips
125, aorta, fashion, lighting, magazine, photographer, photography, portrait, tips
Older
Newer
Armed with only a wacom tablet, less-than-mediocre drawing skills and an acute sense of smell, professional photographer Ted Sabarese guesses how individual images were lit by other photographers and then sketches corresponding lighting diagrams. He also offers, sometimes humorous, behind-the-scenes insight. It's what you always wanted to know but didn't know who to ask.
Search...
Get GTL in your inbox Enter your email address for updates. We'll never share or sell it. Never. Email Address Subscribe
Translate GTL into your language
Select Language
Links Follow on Twitter Behance Network converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
GTL on Tumblr Street Lovely Ted Sabarese Photography
Recent
Popular
Comments
Annie Leibovitz lights the cast of Game of Thrones for Vanity Fair July 3, 2014
Annie Leibovitz lights Lady Gaga in Vogue Hansel + Gretel story January 31, 2013
A brand spanking new guessing venture: Guess the Pooch January 16, 2013
Mert & Marcus light gorgeous-voiced Adele for US Vogue, gorgeously January 14, 2013
An odd favor to ask. Entirely unrelated to photo lighting. December 21, 2012
Archives Select Month
Random Guesses
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Guess the lighting Like 6,973 people like Guess the lighting.
Facebook social plugin
Top Commenters Anto de Chav · 8 posts
David Cohen De Lara · 5 posts
JBedford · 5 posts
Daniel James T. Cook · 5 posts
Brian Powell · 3 posts
schoeller / environmental portrait / b&w / sports illustrated / esquire / lippoth / models / bundchen / giselle / flach / model / 8x10 / meat / dogs / kander / testino / cow / richardson / prager / ogden / marcus / swimsuit / GQ / mert / lady / gaga / animal / sabarese / location / leibovitz / children / campaign / ted / vogue / studio / advertising / fine art / fashion / magazine / celebrity / portrait / tips / photographer / lighting / photography
Latest Tweets
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Tweets
Follow
ted sabarese 19 Sep @sabphoto Inside Baidu's Plan To Beat Google By Taking Search Out Of The Text Era bit.ly/1ply7vs Show Summary ted sabarese 18 Sep @sabphoto seriously #apple @appstore? I need at least 5.8GB of space to download #IOS8? let me just delete everything on my phone and get to it Expand ted sabarese 17 Sep @sabphoto Food science that is actually a good thing. Top 8 food innovations from
Tweet to @sabphoto
Follow this blog
Get GTL in your inbox Enter your email address for updates. We'll never share or sell it. Never. Email Address Subscribe
environmental portrait / b&w / sports illustrated / esquire / lippoth / models / bundchen / giselle / flach / model / 8x10 / meat / dogs / kander / testino / cow / richardson / prager / ogden / schoeller / marcus / swimsuit / GQ / mert / lady / gaga / animal / sabarese / location / leibovitz / children / ted / campaign / vogue / studio / advertising / fine art / fashion / magazine / celebrity / portrait / tips / photographer / photography / lighting
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
WHO’S TED? *DISCLAIMER CONTACT TED BECOME A FAN FANS (updated 12/10/12) TED’S LINKS © 2014 Guess the Lighting
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com