Computers and Skateboards CASE STUDY #42
CAMERA:
Canon D30
LENS:
58mm focal length
EXPOSURE:
f/19 at 1/125 second
LIGHTING: Profoto 800ws head with large Plume softbox for main light; another head placed in front of softbox with 40-degree grid; Profoto 800ws pack with 30-degree grid on boom for hair light; Profoto 1200ws pack with two medium Plume softboxes for side lights
Assignment
So I had him hold the board only for a few final shots.
This portrait of Craig Flint, owner of Computer ER,
I submitted all the variations, but (as predicted) they
was shot for the cover of Channel Advisor magazine.
used the one without the skateboard.
Visual Objective
Tips
I wanted to create an edgy, contemporary portrait. I
I cut out magazine images that appeal to me and file
had noticed a trend toward strong rim lighting and
them away. Periodically, I go through the file to see if
wanted to emulate that style.
I want to apply any of the lighting techniques to my images. It is important to stay current and keep your
Pose
work up to date. When you trying to catch the atten-
Magazine covers can be restrictive when it comes to
tion of a new client, they are always looking for some-
posing. The subject needs to fit within a strong verti-
thing “different.”
cal frame, and there need to be extra space above the subject for the masthead. In this case, the photo edi30-degree grid for hair light
tor was planning to drop in a background, so Craig’s position was predetermined by the layout. Story
You never know where a job is going to come from. I received this job from a photo editor, Stacy Pleasant,
medium softbox for side light
medium softbox for side light
I used to work for in the ’80s. She came across my name on the Internet when looking for photographers in Montana. The story got even stranger: the assign-
40-degree in front of softbox
large softbox for main light
ment was to photograph the owner of the company that services my computer. The site was a five-minute drive from my studio and Craig and his wife are actually friends—talk about a stress reliever! I knew Craig was totally into skateboarding, but I also knew that the editor would not want that shot. LIGHTING CASE STUDIES
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