I still deconstruct the work of other photographers all the time – it’s a great way to expand skill sets and understanding. And I know from your previous feedback that you guys are fond of these posts, so let’s dig into another one.
I was asked to photograph the amazing and controversial Prince Manvendra of India last month in NYC. It was an honor. But tell me…
How did I make this picture?
Is it a snapshot?
Lighting?
If so, how?
The camera Settings?
The direction?
Post production?
Whatever details you think were needed to make this image.
We’ve done this lots before, but I thought this particular image would be a good one to dig into for a couple reasons. I’ll reveal how it was made in a followup post and give a signed book or something to one person who nails it in the comments below.
I’m going with 3 light set up.
One softbox/stripbox high to camera left aimed at subject. One speedlight low behind chair aimed upwards toward speakers. One grid aimed at left side of speaker stack. Camera settings around f8 to maintain sharpness in foreground and background. I’m going to say ISO 800, as it looks like a dark location. Wide angle, maybe 24mm. Vignette in post.
Also noticed the “ghost” speaker on the shawl as David mentioned. And there appears to be some post work around the bottom of the shawl and his left leg (viewers right side). There is some sort of strange light coming from underneath it where there should be nothing but shadow…
2 light sources. Looks like one large softbox left of the camera and a speedlight behind his chair. Settings, 1/250th, looks like a 24mm lens. ISO, 200. Minimal post.
How did I make this picture?
Quite quickly! 🙂
Is it a snapshot?
Not like just walking by, it was posed. But maybe it was not the thing you’ve planned.
Maybe a byproduct of a video production? I explain why later…
The camera Settings?
Slightly wide angle, maybe 35mm full frame. somewhere f8-f11
Short exposure to cancel out the ambient, 1/100-1/250th
If you go large, image quality is good but not ISO100 I think. 400?
Lighting?
Must be somehow, catchlight in the eyes as well as distinct shadows and highlight reflections and strong falloff
If so, how? The direction?
One light must be coming from camera left, a bit up high. Catchlight and shadows of the body. Maybe a beauty dish, but could also be a bare flash. Close, right out of the frame, because of the strong falloff.
The cast shadow of the little tea light (?) right beneath his head shows another light camera right pointed at the background, turned to the left.
The only thing I don’t get is the highlight on the left side of the background… because of the specular highlight it could be a third on Camera flash or a light very close to the camera left, zoomed to max or gridded? I don’t think it is coming from the main light turned away from the prince.
Post production?
Only Camera Raw slight adjustments, a bit of denoise
Whatever details you think were needed to make this image.
It all looks a bit strobist like 😉 so maybe bare compact flashes and higher ISO.
Also possible it’s all hot lights from a video production. The speakers could tell something about music? 🙂
one light, up and to the left
iPhone
[click]
😉
Snapshot? No. Had him sat in a vintage chair, with vintage speakers in the background, had him look into the camera. You used the Nikon D7000 with the 24mm, with one continuous light on the left. Set on Manual mode around f11 and 1/250. WB set on camera. No post production.