LIGHT TESTING BEFORE THE SHOOT

In preparation for the shoot I have been discussing with my photographer Giovanna Balivo the best possible lighting set-up’s and techniques to use in order to achieve my desired outcome. We have been emailing and I have sent her over some examples of existing photographs where the lighting is tinted in bright neon hues, exposing bright areas of light on the model and in surrounding areas. I feel that this type of lighting will compliment the powerful yet feminine theme of my shoot perfectly and emphasise the artistic nature of the brand’s ethos.

 

Lighting style that I wish to achieve:

Silver reflector to create a sheen on the model.

Highlighting and reflecting off the models skin.

Fresh and bright but not over exposed.

Utilizing coloured gels as well as normal lighting to create an overall neon hue for the images, rather than trying to achieve this in post production.

 

 Examples of lighting effects that I discussed with Gi.

 

Lighting gel filters typically used in photography to convey a more dramatic mood or atmosphere.

 

In the morning before the shoot, Gi and I took the opportunity to test out our lighting set up. This was to ensure that we were prepared for the shoot in the afternoon, and did not waste any time making any un-necessary changes within the little studio time allocated to us. After discussing the concept with Gi’s photography tutor Gino, he recommended that we use a beauty dish raised centrally above the model so that the light is dispersed directly onto the models face, acting as a reflector would. We then used a large bright background light to the left and a combination of layered blue and purple gel filters over the flash on the right. This was to create a unique neon hue to my styled photographed images.

Digital lighting diagram I have produced to communicate the lighting processes and techniques within this shoot.

 

First test shot without the gel filter, this was to get an idea about the right brightness and exposure for the model.

Shots incorporating the layered blue and purple gel lighting filters. I am very pleased with the outcome of this test shoot, the hue and tones of the images are as I had imagined and the blue light bouncing off the models face adds depth to her expression.