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Hangin’ with Hal
CASE STUDY #50 Hangin’ with Hal
CAMERA: Hasselblad 503c LENS: 120mm macro
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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 Usmagazine assigned me to photograph Hal Gurney, the director of the David Letterman Show, at work.
Visual Objective I wanted to capture a moment of quiet in the busy schedule of a television director.
Pose I basically let Mr. Gurney do his thing, pointing his finger, talking on the microphone and so on. I finally asked him if he could take a quick break to sit back 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 Letterman 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.
I shot one more Polaroid, switched to film, and just starting shooting. I asked my assistant to peel the Polaroid when it was ready and let me know if we got rid of the glare.
Tips
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.
Also, when photographing monitors, be sure your
shutter is 1 / 30 second or slower to avoid a pattern that will appear if you shoot at a faster shutter speed.
122 50 LIGHTING SETUPS FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS
spun glass on 40-degree grid with black-wrap gobo for main light 20-degree grid with black-wrap gobo on background
