Hangin’ with Hal CASE STUDY #50
CAMERA:
Hasselblad 503c
LENS:
120mm macro
FILM:
Fuji RDP
EXPOSURE:
f/8 at 1/15 second
LIGHTING: Luz 800ws pack with spun glass on 40-degree grid for main light (black wrap used as gobo to prevent spill on background); Luz 800ws pack with 20-degree grid and black-wrap gobo on background
Assignment
I shot one more Polaroid, switched to film, and just
Us magazine assigned me to photograph Hal Gurney,
starting shooting. I asked my assistant to peel the Po-
the director of the David Letterman Show, at work.
laroid when it was ready and let me know if we got rid of the glare.
Visual Objective
I wanted to capture a moment of quiet in the busy
Tips
schedule of a television director.
When photographing in a populated area, tape down your cords and stands. I also tape down the feet of the light stands to prevent them from being knocked over.
Pose
I basically let Mr. Gurney do his thing, pointing his
Also, when photographing monitors, be sure your
finger, talking on the microphone and so on. I finally
shutter is 1/30 second or slower to avoid a pattern that
asked him if he could take a quick break to sit back
will appear if you shoot at a faster shutter speed.
and try and look relaxed. He did, and I took the shot. Story
I arrived early to scout the location. When I went into the control room, I saw monitors displaying Letter20-degree grid with black-wrap gobo on background
man on the set and decided that was going to be my background. After I had the union electrician plug in my strobe packs, I began to set up my lights. (Note: As an independent contractor shooting on a television set, anytime you want to plug in, you have to ask the union electrician to do it for you.) I took some Polaroids of my assistant sitting in Hal’s chair and noticed some reflections from my main light on the monitors. Just as we placed black wrap around the light, Mr. Gurney walked in and said he was ready— meaning he did not have much time. 122
50 LIGHTING SETUPS FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS
spun glass on 40-degree grid with black-wrap gobo for main light
