Haydon

Big change for me from landscapes, closeup and macro work. Sorry she's not real but cooperative. Real people coming soon. Clam shell lighting with a 43" umbrella. Canon 5DIII 1/160 second 85mm 1.8 @ F5.6 ISO 100. Comments welcome.

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Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

Great practice model. My only suggestion would be to rotate her right shoulder a little toward camera for more of a pyramid base. Good lighting on her and the background. Looking forward to more lighting variations. ;-)

Haydon

Thank you for your helpful suggestion. At this point I'm just experimenting with posing and seeing how light works. The pyramid angle makes a lot of sense. I know I'll have to dig deeper to find what works and what doesn't.

I'm just happy getting a well lit shot right now. Very green.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Haydon your studio illumination is excellent...
Were the 43" umbrellas shoot through or reflected?

Only suggestion might be to add a kicker with grid 45 to 60 degrees behind the model camera left to halo her tresses...
Reason being to achieve effective separation from background elements... Look at Beauty Shots in VOGUE, it's used there frequently...
btw, back lighting takes some testing to fine tune depending on the luminosity of the talent's hair...
Flyaway hair also can be an issue with back lighting though... so might consider using a product such as Kenra Super Hold spray... Your hair stylist will know how to apply this effectively... When I'm solo on the set I use CHI Silk Infusion to tame the flyaway hair... It's my "hammer" lol

As one who always uses hair manikins to setup lighting I am totally on board with your approach...
Seriously looking forward to seeing your ultimate results...

I wish you well Haydon...
Thank you for sharing...

Haydon

Thanks Thomas for the kind words and the thoughtful suggestions. It’s good to find someone working with hair manikins.



I was using just one 43” umbrella (Speedlight) slightly off center so it did not get included in the frame. I used a piece of white foam board underneath for rim and fill for the chin. The white foam board was angled around 45 degrees within inches of the mannequin just outside of the frame below the arm. I used my second of only 2 Speedlight’s behind the mannequin’s head with a Velcro grid to keep the light contained on the background.

This is my first work using anything in a studio environment and it’s all trial and error (mostly error). I am trying to stick to using a simplified setup presently. I do have soft boxes and shot through/reflector umbrellas but I am forcing myself to find how each modifier works before I complicate it further and move on. I want to learn umbrellas first if I can. I was forced to close the main umbrella slightly. I found it spilling a little too much light but then decided to use the second light to halo the mannequin in the background because I was unable to find a happy medium.

Unfortunately, I do not have third light or a grid. I am holding out a little while but I am seriously thinking of investing in a Paul C. Buff Einstein package. I prefer to buy quality once and not go through several kits before I find something I can stay with.

I wish there was a program I can instill to learn all this in a practical manner instead of just experimenting and mostly wasting time. I just happened to stumble on clamshell lighting that seemed to work with the contours. I just found out this type of lighting is ideal for thin facially structured females thanks to Gene after the fact.

Thanks with your suggestion about hair. This redhead curly wig has a mind of its own. I spent 20 minutes trying to subdue the hair in her face with a water atomizer and a flat brush. Will that spray you are recommending become an issue in the future with wigs? I am just reluctant to use anything but misting water right now.

You have been a monumental help. I love to learn and you have made it easier Thomas. Thank you sir.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Haydon, very nice shot. I like the lighting, it works really well and the camera angle.
You've got good detail in the black fabric as well.
You should also experiment with bigger f-stops to give more emphasis to the face. Be careful with the placement of the hair. It already looks like you added light in PP to the close eye. Another in and the close eye is in complete shade. Trust your modeling light. With this kind of shot I always go a series's of 3. One with hair on both sides as you have. A second with ALL the hair completely on the other side then a third with all the hair on this side. It's VERY easy tondo when shooting and can completely change her look!
For a mannequin she is pretty darn good looking. How long can she hold that pose?!?! I've known mannequins that can sleep in that pose!!! LoL
SS

Haydon

Thanks for your comments SS. I haven't added any light in PP. Unfortunately, what you might be seeing is a painted in catch light. I will definitely be forced to bring it to someone who does air brushing and have her eyes redone and have some type of reflective coating administered that will imitate the properties of the human eye.

Right now I have only two speedlights and a reflector. I really don't want to invest in another speedlight right now as I'm looking for a set of strobes.

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

Does her head turn or tilt...would be helpful if it did. A Kodak professional was tutoring me many years ago and suggested "feathering" my lights...that is to say instead of pointing the center of the light source directly at the model, turn it slightly so the light passes a little in front of her.

I did some experimenting with light a while back if you're interested: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-138436-1.html

Good luck and have loads of fun.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Haydon thanks for your detailed narrative on your lighting scenario which I found innovative and interesting...
As for "I am seriously thinking of investing in a Paul C. Buff Einstein package" I have used Paul C. Buff Alien Bees for nearly a decade and his products are some of the finest value/price equipment available... Only thing missing in their product line is a robust boom arm which I find a must for so many lighting configurations... I currently use a Westcott boom which has proven up to the task...

"I wish there was a program I can instill to learn all this in a practical manner instead of just experimenting and mostly wasting time. "
Your wish is my command...
Here is an excellent tutorial (over two hours) of techniques which if mastered are likely to take your work entirely to the next level...
It certainly has been a source of applied wisdom and inspiration for me...

Master Lighting Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1GHuruKrOA

"Will that spray you are recommending become an issue in the future with wigs? I am just reluctant to use anything but misting water right now." Haydon there are two types of hair manikins synthetic (cost effective) and natural (more expensive) hair... Mine are the later thus no worries about using hair product on them... That said, synthetics may be an entirely different experience...

Keep in mind that hair is primarily a tough protein called keratin (the same thing your nails are composed of) and it's not water soluble... In fact it stands up to bleaching agents and many other harsh chemicals used by hair salons that are caustic on your skin... So a super hold hair spray is easily washed out... same with CHI Silk Infusion Reconstructing Complex which is a leave in gel which provides incredible manageability and shine without build up.

Best advice? Once you have your studio setup might consider collaborating with local hair stylist on shoots and have them train you on product use... This has been my path... It's a win/win... they get promotional imagery and you come up the curve on hair styling (which is as much an art as it is a craft).

Caveat: Before you consider working with the general public it is wise to have professional liability insurance... Hope this makes sense...

Again, I wish you well and look forward to seeing your efforts on actual talent...

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

You are getting some good tips, so I'll just say, good job and keep posting your results!!

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Haydon,

I think this is done fairly well. To me it looks like a combination of Clamshell and Broad lighting to a degree with her camera right cheek/face being directed to the camera a tad more than her camera left cheek/face. Possibly rotate the model a little to camera right to cut down on the Broad lighting aspect?

I also noticed that you had used a background light to a degree for separation and I think you did a pretty good job separating her from the background. The only questionable area is her camera left breast down a hair or two - what do your think? I may be nit picking just a tad? Also, I like the shadow you achieved underneath her bottom lip, but turning her a little camera right may even out that shadow for just a little more clamshell lighting. I learned portraiture, initially, using the same mannequin type practice models as well. You are well on your way using two lights and foam core. Is her black top just a little too light coming down the slope of her 'camera right' breast? Just curious - can be fixed in PP'ing as well as easily take care of fly way hair.

Best Regards,
Tom

bearwitme Loc: VA, USA

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Can you tell me where you purchased the mannequin... Been looking for one...TIA

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

I got mine from a local beauty store that sells them cheap (less than $5) when they have slight blems...but there are a lot of good ones online for not too much $$.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

This is pure!!

bearwitme Loc: VA, USA

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Thanks.. Will look for one there...