Topics Covered:
- Setting up for the Shot
- Look and Feel of the Shot
- Filling in the Shadows
- The Wading Pool
- Rim Lighting and Freezing Water
Equipment Used:
Lighting Equipment
- Accessory: Adjustable ShoeMount
- Accessory: ShoeMount MultiClamp
- LiteDome® accessory: basic connector
- LiteDome®: small (16x22 inch)
- LiteReach Kit
Setting up for the Shot |
In reviewing the shots, I liked the overall exposure of the background and foreground, but felt that the light on James was a little dark. So rather than open up the overall exposure, I decided I would throw some additional light onto Rohan. |
Figure 3 |
Look and Feel of the Shot |
Once he was in position, I took a few shots without the LiteDome setup to get a sense of what the shot would look like, and also where I should have James position the light. Here's one from that series. [figure 7] |
Figure 7 |
As you can see from the result, the exposure levels on the foreground and background were good and there was a nice rim light from the sun outlining Rohan against the background. However, the light on the front of Rohan was much too dark, and it was clear that the LiteDome setup would be needed to help balance out the lighting levels. |
Even from these setup shots, where the flash was going off, you can see how much this light helped to illuminate the shadow areas. [figure 10] |
Figure 10 |
Once James was in position, I took a series of shots. Here's one of our favorites. [figure 11] |
Figure 11 |
Notice how well the soft light transmitted from the LiteDome helped to illuminate Rohan's front side. And the LiteReach helped James to keep this light higher than he normally could have held it. Below, you can see a side-by-side comparison of the shot with and without the LiteDome used. [figure 12] |
Figure 12 |
Before moving on to the next shot, I decided to come in tight for a headshot. As you can see, the LiteDome really helps to accentuate the natural light of the sun and adds a nice catchlight in the eyes. [figure 13] |
Figure 13 |
Figure 14 |
The Wading Pool |
After a quick wardrobe change, Rohan rolled up the bottoms of his jeans and waded out into the pool. Once again, I took a few exposures of the scene without the LiteDome to see where we stood with the lighting. |
Figure 15 |
Figure 17 |
Once I had a composition I liked, I asked Rohan to give me a series of poses and then took a series of shots. This ended up being one of our favorites. [figure 18] |
Figure 18 |
Below, you can see a side-by-side comparison of the three different exposure approaches. [figure 19] |
Figure 19 |
Figure 21 |
James also really liked the look of this shot and asked if I could take some shots of him doing the same thing. So he handed the LiteDome setup to Rohan, they switched spots, and I took a few more exposures. As you can see, James was a little more eager to cool off! [figure 22] |
Figure 22 |
After cooling off, we all headed back to the cars, unencumbered by a lot of equipment, enjoying the fresh air and sound of the birds. It's days like this that we'll remember in the cold winter months to come. Written and photographed by Ben Clay, contributing lesson writer for WebPhotoSchool.com and Photoflex.com |