50 Lighting Setups / 50 configuraciones de iluminación

Page 45

Puff the Magic Dragon CASE STUDY #11

CAMERA:

Hasselblad 503c

LENS:

120mm macro

FILM:

Kodak Plus X

EXPOSURE: LIGHTING:

f/8 at 1/15 second Luz 800ws power pack with one head and a medium softbox; additional light with grid on background

Assignment

a father and son are at odds with each other. Surpris-

Photographing musicians has always been a large part

ingly, he brought out some play guns. I photographed

of my personal work, and Peter Yarrow (of Peter and

them back-to-back as if they were ready to duel. It was

Paul and Mary) was on my list. Like his music and so-

worth a try—so be sure to keep an open mind and col-

cial convictions, Peter and his son Christopher, were

laborate with your subjects.

very tender and intense to photograph. Tips Visual Objective

This is the first case study to use a second light, added

Walking into Peter’s Manhattan apartment was like

to illuminate the fireplace and statue. Without it, there

walking into the rain forest. It was filled with tropical

would have been no separation of my subjects from

plants and Central American artifacts. I was given a

the background.

warm welcome by Peter and Christopher and sensed

You’ll also note that I chose a slow shutter speed

they had a loving relationship. My objective was to

to capture the candles burning. I am not sure it was

combine these elements, so I dragged plants to the

worth it, though; they are difficult to see against the

fireplace, lit candles, and placed a stool in the scene.

light background. I try to use every light source in the frame, though. It is my obsession.

Posing

I had Christopher sit on Peter’s lap as if he were cradling him. Then, I had them place their arms around each other and hold hands. The shape this created with their arms formed a heart. I also broke one of my own rules and placed the statue directly behind

30-degree grid on background, angled down from three feet above subjects

Peter and Christopher’s head. I felt this helped tell the story of the spiritual side of Peter. The Story

The image you see was the first idea and the one I liked the best. Peter also wanted to show another side of their relationship—the not uncommon side where 44

50 LIGHTING SETUPS FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS

medium softbox


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50 Lighting Setups / 50 configuraciones de iluminación by Miguel Minaya Isla - Issuu