Light From A Bedroom Window
Actually a studio shot using one light
Actually a studio shot using one light
Read less
Read less
Mar, 2019Views
278
Likes
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rankTop 10 rank week 2Top 10 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
Although this might look like a bedroom, it's actually a studio shot. Aura Photographic Studio in Great Barr have quite a versatile space and a good number of Props.Time
I shot this one Wednesday evening in the middle of 2019. To be brutally honest, the time of day was irrelevant as I controlled the lighting using strobes. It's not really window light! Sorry!Lighting
Now I wanted to emulate the light shining through a window at dusk or dawn. I tried a few lighting configurations, all used a large soft-box for the key light which was intended to look like the window light. I metered on the model and brought the key light in quite close to help increase contrast in the final image. I tried a couple of fill lights but in the end, the images I think looked best came out with just the one light. Sometimes less is more.Equipment
Shot on a Nikon D850, a Nikon 24-70 f2.8 and used a single Bowens strobe for lighting. I used a fairly wide angle in shooting this because I wanted to bring in some of the environment rather than just pick out the model.Inspiration
I rather like a portrait and spend most of my photographic time in the studio. But clearly I don't want every shot to feature a photographic background. So I picked a studio that can create a set. This set was put together with a couple of other photographers and Serenity (our model). I like an implied nude shot, I think that it creates more of a connection with the viewer than nudity so asked Serenity to keep herself covered with the sheet. I used a slightly off white sheet as it was close to the lighting and would've burned out if pure white.Editing
This spent a little time in photoshop. There was the usual dodging and burning, some Frequency Separation and colour grading. I selectively made the most of the contrast to show the light falling off as you move through the picture from left to right. I was careful to keep some detail as interest in the image. I also reduced the size of Serenity's leading leg to make it look realistic. Using a wide angle and getting in closer than I normally would because of limited space and wanting to capture the entire scene ( I would say I was 4 feet away), her leg looked artificially big being the closest bit of her to the camera. So I reduced the size of her leg to represent how she looks in real life, not how she looks through a wide angle lens (think back of a spoon!).In my camera bag
What I have in my bag changes on each shoot. It really depends on what I'm going out to shoot. In the studio I can usually keep it simple, The D850 with 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 lenses. But out and about it depends. I've always got my wireless remote shutter. Always have a speedlight too. When shooting landscape, I won't take a trip without the Lee Big Stopper. I recently bought a Skull (not a real one!) which isn't really photographic equipment but it is beginning to feature in my photographs.Feedback
An image like this is all about the lighting. It's entirely possible with natural window light. Just flag and/or reflect as needed. The more time you spend getting the lighting right at the time you hit the shutter, the less you'll have to do post. Don't get me wrong, I'm good with people spending time with post, just a tip to make life easier for your self. And a final bit of advice for anyone just starting out shooting models. It will save you a load of time if you pay for an experienced model. They're as knowledgeable about lighting as a good photographer and know how to position themselves. As you build experience you'll be a lot more successful with inexperienced models. Simple rule, one of you needs to know exactly what your doing. That can be either the photographer or the model. Happy shooting!
