I learned to light after years of deconstructing the work of other photographers. And I know from your previous feedback that you guys are fond of these posts, so let’s dig into another one.
How did I make this picture?
Is it a lucky snapshot?
Is it lit?
If so, how?
The camera Settings?
The direction?
Post production?
Whatever details you think are needed to make this image.
Looking forward to you trying to pick this apart… I’ll reveal everything in a followup post. The person who gets the closest gets… …a chest bump and a pizza, or signed book or something. Don’t be shy. Let er rip.
A lucky snapshot from the performance, normally ballet perform will be whole scene black. So the lighting is from the stage, then go true post production, make some contrast with level of Photoshop.
forgot to add (stop) by camera right power
Cool shot!
Here’s my peace of mind.
Camera setting: iso 200 1/160 f11. camera position below through plexi glass
Lights: 2 striplights gridded 1 camera left 1 camera right ( camera right 1/2 higher than camera left.
Post: B&W conversion some dodging & burning
Well there you go!
Cheers
I’m guessing it was shot during show rehearsal, and therefore was a live shot, not specific direction, just the ballerina doing her thing.
I would guess there was soft box to her left, and a small flash sitting on the stage to her right.
In post, significant dodging and burning to give it the contrasty impact.
I’m largely commenting because I want to win a pizza.
Pre-prod:
“hmm… a jumping ballerina would be nice, do we have any ballerina friends?”
Prod:
“hi im chase, and this is…”
After the getting to know yous and talking about what she thinks a nice move to capture…
-Large light source at camera left, slightly behind the subject. (close enough for it to be seen on her eyes)?
-harsher light source from a distance on camera right slightly behind subject, maybe half a stop stronger?
-lens on the longer end mr jarvis low, maybe on the floor?
-small aperture >f11, hi speed sync 500?
-framing allowance since she will be kicking, jumping twirling etc? the softbox on cam left could probably be seen?
“action! chakachakachakachakachakachakachakachakachakachaka… great! lets go grab something to eat!
Post-prod:
“nice. nice. nice. nice. great!”
-picked something around the peak of the jump where her left leg is where she was at the beginning and torso passed the soft box as she was jumping forward?
-cropped, desaturated, crushed blacks, lifted whites?
or you ran into a ballet studio with two other friends with triggered flashguns, popped a rehearsing ballerina ran home before anyone could say a word. hehe! JK!