Topic: Strange catchlights? (Read 7209 times)

Gary Brown · « **on:** November 26, 2009, 02:31:55 pm »

The December 2009 National Geographic has an article "The Hadza" that includes several portraits (see page 94, or online here with a link to a portrait gallery on the left).

The eyes look very strange; as an example, attached is a small version of one of the more alien-looking-eyed portraits (you can see it larger in the magazine or on National Geographic's site).

Any idea what they were using for lighting?

[attachment=18198:mokoa1.jpg]

feppe · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2009, 03:40:02 pm »

Looks like a massive softbox behind the photographer, 2+ meters high and at least as wide. The vertical black stripe in the middle of the eye is the photographer.

Geoff Wittig · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:17:42 pm »

Quote from: feppe

Looks like a massive softbox behind the photographer, 2+ meters high and at least as wide. The vertical black stripe in the middle of the eye is the photographer.

I'd bet it's vertical clamshell lighting, AKA beauty lighting. You can see the lighting set-up reflected in the subject's eyes. The photographer used symmetrical large softboxes (or strobe heads behind large diffusers) on each side, with the camera in between. This provides very smooth, even lighting that can make skin glow. Works great for young models with immaculate complexions, but it can highlight every pore and blemish. In this case it's obviously being used for "character".

dwdallam · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:45:59 pm »

It's just two large soft boxes, one left and one right in the vertical position. Nothing fancy at all. It's a pretty standard lighting technique. The reason you thought the eyes looked strange is because most of the time, one light is taken out so there is only one catch-light.

mtomalty · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2009, 05:01:16 pm »

As has been said, it is a pretty basic setup utilizing two fairly symmetrical light sources placed to each side and sometimes towards the back of the
subject.
In studio he has used profots strip lights with a front high fill to balance the contrast

Do a search for the photographer, Martin Schoeller, and you'll see that this has been his signature look for some time and has brought him
a fair amount of fame within the industry.

Here is a video of him shooting in studio for lighting reference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZTGXhWjAf4

Usually he has combined the lighting style with an 8 x 10 film capture which gives an extremely detailed image.

Don't know if he has transitioned to digital capture yet.

Mark
www.marktomalty.com

dwdallam · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2009, 05:12:30 pm »

Quote from: mtomalty

As has been said, it is a pretty basic setup utilizing two fairly symmetrical light sources placed to each side and sometimes towards the back of the
subject.
In studio he has used profots strip lights with a front high fill to balance the contrast

Do a search for the photographer, Martin Schoeller, and you'll see that this has been his signature look for some time and has brought him
a fair amount of fame within the industry.

Here is a video of him shooting in studio for lighting reference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZTGXhWjAf4

Usually he has combined the lighting style with an 8 x 10 film capture which gives an extremely detailed image.

Don't know if he has transisitioned to digital capture yet.

Mark
www.marktomalty.com

Thanks for the link. Interesting.

DanielStone · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2009, 12:27:03 pm »

Digitatl capture : NO He has stated that he won't switch until film is totally gone.

lighting : I believe he is using 2 Kino Flo light banks(4 tube ones)

read about his style more here.

http://www.do1thing.org/tag/martin-schoeller/

read the whole thing, and you'll see a picture of him shooting towards the bottom

for these portraits he was most likely using an RZ with Portra 160/400vc. I've seen jpgs of contact sheets, and that was the film on them.

-Dan

EDIT:

here you go......

gubaguba · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2009, 08:49:28 am »

This guy is brilliant he never changes his lighting set up. Its always the same. Its like copy lights with kinoflo. I wish I was that smart. No I am not being sarcastic.

jjlphoto · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2009, 10:51:59 am »

I just saw that issue and noticed it. I just assumed he shot them in a class room, hospital, or someplace where there were two banks of tall windows behind him. I've heard film and video guys mention Kinoflows before, never knew what they really were. Thanks for the production snap.

douglasf13 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2009, 06:00:21 pm »

Here, you can watch Martin using an 8x10 camera with something like 4 lights, from what I can tell. Good video.
Martin Video

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