Studio Lighting

[ImageMaker]

Time for a Studio Lighting thread. All things studio lighting. Strobes, Indoors, Outdoors, Beauty, Fashion, Experimental, Commercial, Q & A, Techniques.

 

[ImageMaker]

Ok, I’ll start.

This shot with this young model really made her day. The photo was selected by Broncolor for their recent Para Brochure
A Broncolor Para 222 camera left was the main light. 2 strip lights were placed in back for rim lighting left and right. A hair light was also used high above the model.

She was so excited to be published by Broncolor. It was one of her very first published photos. The Brochure shows the work of 18 photographers from around the world. I learned how nice & professional the folks are at Broncolor. They care about what they do and I have to attest the high quality and build of their Paras. The Paras produce an incredible number of looks depending on how they are focused, feathered and placed. I particularly love the 3-D look they create.

 

[Levina]

And there she is! Beautiful!

When a company like Broncolor decides to use your image in their brochure then you are really REALLY good. This image speaks for itself. The model must have been over the moon with both the image as with being in the brochure!

 

[JohnPD]

Ok, I’ll start.

This shot with this young model really made her day. The photo was selected by Broncolor for their recent Para Brochure
A Broncolor Para 222 camera left was the main light. 2 strip lights were placed in back for rim lighting left and right. A hair light was also used high above the model.

She was so excited to be published by Broncolor. It was one of her very first published photos. The Brochure shows the work of 18 photographers from around the world. I learned how nice & professional the folks are at Broncolor. They care about what they do and I have to attest the high quality and build of their Paras. The Paras produce an incredible number of looks depending on how they are focused, feathered and placed. I particularly love the 3-D look they create.

View attachment 6530

It doesn't get much better than this, does it. That is a beautiful photo. Model too is beautiful. Congratulations on the Broncolor brochure. That is pretty special.

 

[ImageMaker]

It doesn't get much better than this, does it. That is a beautiful photo. Model too is beautiful. Congratulations on the Broncolor brochure. That is pretty special.

Thanks. It was a fun day. I had invited 6 or 7 other photographers over to shoot that day. We had 3 models to shoot in rotation. Changing clothes and lighting. They had a chance to use the Paras and also shoot some cute models.

Some other forum, I was told I was just lucky to get this shot. So I just posted a few more photos from that day’s session…

The photo below was using a Broncolor Para 133 (instead of the Para 222). 133 cm which is about 4 feet in size. 222 cm is 7 feet. Paras have 24 panels in them. Literally it makes 24 hard lights, but due to the size, gives a soft light look. Specular due to the panel, soft due to the size. A strobe can one positioned or slid - in and out of the umbrella-like parabolic shape. This hardens or softens the look (shadows) on a model.

You’ll notice the model changed clothes and kept the jacket on. An additional background light was used. A strobe, standard reflector with grid for a glow behind her.

 

[ImageMaker]

Paras produce a specular and soft effect. A contradiction I’ve not achieved until these Paras were used. They make clothes/fashion and skin look great.

…and to think I told my teacher in school years ago I’d never use Euclidean Geometry in real life!

 

[Levina]

Thanks. It was a fun day. I had invited 6 or 7 other photographers over to shoot that day. We had 3 models to shoot in rotation. Changing clothes and lighting. They had a chance to use the Paras and also shoot some cute models.

Some other forum, I was told I was just lucky to get this shot. So I just posted a few more photos from that day’s session…

The photo below was using a Broncolor Para 133 (instead of the Para 222). 133 cm which is about 4 feet in size. 222 cm is 7 feet. Paras have 24 panels in them. Literally it makes 24 hard lights, but due to the size, gives a soft light look. Specular due to the panel, soft due to the size. A strobe can one positioned or slid - in and out of the umbrella-like parabolic shape. This hardens or softens the look (shadows) on a model.

You’ll notice the model changed clothes and kept the jacket on. An additional background light was used. A strobe, standard reflector with grid for a glow behind her. View attachment 6565

Paras produce a specular and soft effect. A contradiction I’ve not achieved until these Paras were used. They make clothes/fashion and skin look great.

…and to think I told my teacher in school years ago I’d never use Euclidean Geometry in real life!

View attachment 6567

These are perfect, aren’t they? Beautiful work!

 

[RichardB]

@ImageMaker

Wow!

 

[Darren75]

Ok, I’ll start.

I'm glad you did! Stunning work.

 

[Blackbird]

Beautiful images!

 

[ImageMaker]

A young Mona Lisa. Using a single Para 133. Slightly focused.

 

[Levina]

A young Mona Lisa. Using a single Para 133. Slightly focused.

View attachment 6726

Very lovely!

 

[ImageMaker]

Very lovely!

Thanks, she is indeed. She’s back in Brazil now.

 

[Archibald]

Ok, I’ll start.

This shot with this young model really made her day. The photo was selected by Broncolor for their recent Para Brochure
A Broncolor Para 222 camera left was the main light. 2 strip lights were placed in back for rim lighting left and right. A hair light was also used high above the model.

She was so excited to be published by Broncolor. It was one of her very first published photos. The Brochure shows the work of 18 photographers from around the world. I learned how nice & professional the folks are at Broncolor. They care about what they do and I have to attest the high quality and build of their Paras. The Paras produce an incredible number of looks depending on how they are focused, feathered and placed. I particularly love the 3-D look they create.

View attachment 6530

Amazing photo. Great lighting, wonderful pose, pretty model. Can you explain the circular catchlights? Isn't that the look of a beauty dish? Were you using a beauty dish AND the Para 222?

 

[ImageMaker]

Very lovely!

Thank you. Here’s the BTS. Just used the overhead Para 133. The other modifiers didn’t fire. Just the one for that shot. Was shooting tethered. We were looking at a large monitor.

 

[ImageMaker]

Amazing photo. Great lighting, wonderful pose, pretty model. Can you explain the circular catchlights? Isn't that the look of a beauty dish? Were you using a beauty dish AND the Para 222?

Thanks!! Just the Para 222 was used. The strobe was position in its furthest extended position which will create that catchlight. Basically a 7 foot ring light at that position. Paras are true parabolic shaped modifiers. Strobe position along the center axis will create different looks and catchlights - and gorgeous looking skin and clothing.

Paras from Broncolor are a joy in studio. They work effortlessly.

I’ll post another shot for a commercial shoot along with a commentary. Totally different look using the big Para 222 - when I get a chance this weekend. Stay tuned…

 

[ImageMaker]

Ok…. This commercial shoot for women’s fitness clothing.. The owner stopped by the week before and we went though a few lighting options for the online catalog. She picked this set up for the effects she saw on the test shoot. The only light used up front was a feathered Broncolor Para 222. The big Para was camera left pointed directly to back of studio not at the models. So only half the Para will reflect on the models. 2 regular umbrellas lit the background. Plexiglass was used for the models to stand on so the reflection helps ground the models. Otherwise they would be floating off in space.

See rough sketch. Light was reflected off the Para 222 onto the models as shown with arrows.

The next shot was all lights on EXCEPT the big Para. After that, all lights on.

Even feathered like this, the Para produces such a gorgeous look. Clothing material looks fabulous. Even white clothing on a white background looks great. (Next shot of single model)

 

[Archibald]

Pretty amazing. It helps to have a big studio.

What I need is a flat Para 222.

 

[Levina]

Ok…. This commercial shoot for women’s fitness clothing.. The owner stopped by the week before and we went though a few lighting options for the online catalog. She picked this set up for the effects she saw on the test shoot. The only light used up front was a feathered Broncolor Para 222. The big Para was camera left pointed directly to back of studio not at the models. So only half the Para will reflect on the models. 2 regular umbrellas lit the background. Plexiglass was used for the models to stand on so the reflection helps ground the models. Otherwise they would be floating off in space.

See rough sketch. Light was reflected off the Para 222 onto the models as shown with arrows.

The next shot was all lights on EXCEPT the big Para. After that, all lights on.

Even feathered like this, the Para produces such a gorgeous look. Clothing material looks fabulous. Even white clothing on a white background looks great. (Next shot of single model)

View attachment 6876


View attachment 6879


View attachment 6880

View attachment 6881

A masterclass! Wow.

 

[ImageMaker]

These models were a scream to shoot. They had such a loud, fun time. Yet, when the camera came up, they were very serious about their jobs. We took something like a thousand shots. Tops, bottoms, side, front, back views & full-length for each. You know how product displays are online.