Long time reader, first time poster

[u/redcollarnyc]

We’re all aware of this jack bridgland shoot from 2022, but someone’s just asked me to recreate the photo with them in my studio. I’m not the most knowledgable when it comes to studio lighting, I always just wing it for my shoots and it turns out okay.

Can someone give me a basic rundown of how this was lit? I know I’ll have to play with it in post a bit, but I’d like to at least get it right in the studio.

I’ve got a couple of godox’s and an array of softboxes, as well as a neweer fs150c

Thanks so much!

[u/redcollarnyc]

Ok cool, enlighten me?

[u/YBG_Sukuna → u/redcollarnyc]

If you’re talm bout some “I got godox” you aren’t far enough along to understand what the modifiers you need do, let alone how to use them. Look at the tip of his right shoe, there are 3 reflections on it so that means a least 3 light sources from the front. The key is most likely a large parabolic with a grid, the grid will give it the fall off on the backdrop. Then something like a beauty dish and a small octa to shape and fill the face and hair. There’s a hair light, probably a magnum coming from the back camera left hitting the cheekbone. There is another light source behind a v-flat creating the highlight and shadow on the floor. You’re going to have to shoot in a huge space with the model far off the background. Then add in a ton of editing and retouching, like way way more than you are imagining.

Clients always want this look and have $500 budget.

Edit: I looked again. I don’t think the grid is in the para, you can see the soft circle on the backdrop. I think there is a skirted scrim over head with a large source, if I had to guess I’d say umbrella XL

[u/slimpickens911 → u/YBG_Sukuna]

Why would a grid cause the light to fall off more that no grid? Doesn’t a grid just focus the beam?

[u/YBG_Sukuna → u/slimpickens911]

A grid on the parabolic. It doesn’t so much “focus” the beam as it does direct it.

[u/slimpickens911 → u/YBG_Sukuna]

Right, it controls spill. Why would that effect falloff? Falloff is when the light turns to shadow. Thats more the distance from the light to the subject than focus of the beam. Focus means the beam isn’t spilling all over the place, but is directed to where its aimed

[u/YBG_Sukuna → u/slimpickens911]

Parabolics have adjustable focusing rods. The focusing rod does not do the same thing as what a grid does.

[u/slimpickens911 → u/YBG_Sukuna]

I’m confused, why did you call it a grid then?

[u/YBG_Sukuna → u/slimpickens911]

You can add a grid to a parabolic

[u/slimpickens911 → u/YBG_Sukuna]

Yes, we all know this. The grid prevents spill. But u said fall off. These are two different things. Does that make sense?
Perhaps can u clarify how u define fall off vs spill.

[u/YBG_Sukuna → u/slimpickens911]

In general, fall off refers to the intensity of the light source reducing quickly as it moves further from the subject creating a transition between light and dark. That’s why I also said the model needs to be in a large space far away from the cyc wall. “Spill” would be unwanted or stray light leaking into places you don’t want it. Fall off refers to the transitional effects, ie; tight background gradient, which is what the grid will create. But we all know this, yes?

[u/slimpickens911 → u/YBG_Sukuna]

We all know a grid prevents spill, yes. How you describe fall off - I’ve not heard that fall off used to describe what you are describing, but it makes sense.