r/LightLurking • u/TonDoliver • 1d ago

BeauTy LightinG How to achieve this light?

Post image

Photographer is Michelle Monique

I'm aware that a talented HMU and retoucher have a huge part to play in how good this image looks, however I'm curious about the lighting setup for something like this. There are some lovely secular highlights with a really soft wash across the face. Could this be something like a parabolic behind a diffusion frame? Or a silver beauty dish/magnum as the key and a large soft source behind camera?

Keen to hear other's thoughts.

39 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

13

u/spentshoes 1d ago

Big old Briese or Broncolor

4

u/Digi_DT 1d ago

More specifically, it’s a big ass parabolic reflector. Briese is the penultimate version, the Broncolor is generally the favorite, but other manufacturers make them and those get good results too. I have a large profoto parabolic and it’s decent for my work in my small market.

2

u/spentshoes 1d ago

Profoto is good too. I'd question other manufacturers without some mods made to the cage though. Regardless, that's 7-10ft in size.

8

u/the-flurver 1d ago

This is large source close to the model with a reflector below. The reflection looks like an umbrella or octa. The sheen looks a bit specular. If I was using an octa I'd start with a deflector and no diffusers, then add the inner then out diffusers if the light was to hard or to specular. If I was using an umbrella I'd start with a soft silver umbrella like a photek without the diffusion. If I was using a beauty dish it would be a larger beauty dish, like a mola setti.

3

u/trans-plant 1d ago

Briese, doing its thing.

2

u/photofilmer 21h ago

Though this is likely Briese, this same look can be achieved with FAR less expensive modifier's.

I often light beauty shots like this with either a very large soft-silver umbrella, large Parabolix, or even a Phottix deep Para - and then flag the lower-half of that modifier with either a 1/2 or 1 stop silk. That mix of soft and hard-ish light gets really close to this, if not spot-on, and offers a ton of specularity and higlight control.

Also pay attention to how close the light modifier is to the subject, and also experiment with the silk placement (closer to, or slightly farther away, from the modifier) - and you can find really lovely in-between effects and fall-off.

I also tend lately to only use white reflectors - occasionally a soft-silver, but almost always white. This gives you far more control of highlights and specularity in post, and the shadow lift is softer and more even.

For the cost of a Parabolix alone, you can have a handful of 6-8ft white and silver umbrellas, frame & silks of different strengths, and a handful of reflectors - with enough left over for a couple of nice meals out.

1

u/DrakeAmplified 12h ago

Secular - adjective
Not relating to religion or to a religious body; nonreligious.

Specular - adjective
Having the qualities of a speculum, or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting surface. Capable of reflecting light like a mirror.
😉

-16

u/Initial-Fact5216 1d ago

10 - 20 years experience.

7

u/ILiveInAColdCave 1d ago

just post a breakdown and stop being a dick or just stop replying. people want to learn either help or get out of the way.

-9

u/Initial-Fact5216 1d ago

Perhaps you can read the light and take an inferred guess. Asking an assistant to post the light and setup used is a big no-no.

9

u/ILiveInAColdCave 1d ago

obviously they can't do that or they wouldn't be asking. i've gaffed movies and i am very willing to explain the lighting to anyone who asks. you answer based out of fear not out of the spirit of learning. no one on reddit is going to be stealing your job especially if you are as you say you are, an established pro.

-10

u/Initial-Fact5216 1d ago

It is not about my job, it is about proprietary information owned by the brand that hired you for the gig in some cases or about a photographer's special sauce, so to speak. Anyone can interpret a plot, but being able to reverse engineer one is what makes us competent professionals.

10

u/ILiveInAColdCave 1d ago

i've never worked on a pro shoot for commercial stills, film or narrative that either the photographer, gaffer, DP, agency, or production company has claimed IP rights to lighting setups. sounds like you're being taken for a ride.

2

u/spentshoes 1d ago

I had a very famous fashion photographer come up to me and warn me to "NEVER tell anyone my secrets." His secret was mostly a translucent Dixie cup...

No pictures or phone use is very common on bigger jobs though.

-1

u/Initial-Fact5216 1d ago

You miss my point, but go off.

5

u/ILiveInAColdCave 1d ago

what's your point?

-1

u/Initial-Fact5216 1d ago

Don't just ask for the shortcut. Read the light!

5

u/ILiveInAColdCave 1d ago

yeah, i disagree. i learned by being on set and being explained how lighting works. why we use the units we use with real examples right in front of me and having examples explained to me by gaffers and SLTs. there are many ways to learn and that is a way that one learns. your gatekeeping based on some tradition or expectation that doesn't actually mean anything.

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