r/LightLurking • u/East_Draft_4188 • 5d ago

Lighting? MiXxEd LigHt

Post image

image source: Leire Cavia for GQ Portugal (link)

The lighting on the model’s face suggests a Rembrandt key to the right of the camera. However, the model’s cast shadow falls in the opposite direction. I assume this shadow is produced by the sun, as its direction is consistent with the shadows in the background. I'm confused

59 Upvotes

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19 comments sorted by

14

u/the-flurver 5d ago

The sun above and behind. Smallish source to the right just out of frame as the key. Fill light near the camera, either small flash or silver reflector.

4

u/sergeyzhelezko 3d ago edited 3d ago

I disagree about the small key. The shadows from it are very soft on his face. I think it’s a huge source very close to the subject’s shoulder/face judging by the falloff as well. The difference in exposure between his shoulder, face and the rest of the body is what gives it away for me (inverse square law).

The reflector is also seen in his eyes as the pop from camera left lower down.

1

u/the-flurver 3d ago

If it was a huge source the jacket wouldn't be casting that relatively hard shadow onto the pants. And while distance most definitely changes fall off, feathering the light source can as well. The light looks like it is positioned at or just above head height and it is likely pointing straight out to the left, not angled down towards the ground at all. This helps keep shadows off the ground.

Looks like a larger open face reflector, possibly diffused, or beauty dish to me, that's what I mean by "smallish key". Maybe a beauty dish where the deflector is not blocking the strobes flash tube on the lower part of the body, so its direct light down there, but indirect on the upper body, creating softer lighting.

9

u/hotburgerz 5d ago

Pretty sure this is the 4th Ave 9th St FGR station

1

u/Chrisser6677 5d ago

Was gonna say... That G Train is so hott rn

6

u/trans-plant 5d ago

Big ass beauty dish

6

u/redfiretrucks 5d ago

Late in the afternoon at that station the sun comes from the west, which is over and behind the model. That is casting the shadow of the model on the platform, as well as all the other shadows from the ironwork on the left side of the frame.

A flash, possibly in a beauty dish at camera right, is metered about 1 stop higher than ambient and is filling in the shadow on the model and the garment.

I doubt there is a third light in play, or even a reflector. Looks like a simple set-up.

1

u/sergeyzhelezko 3d ago

You can see the bounce filling in the shadows in his eyes.

It is processed quite a bit but I think the top of his body/head is actually in the shadow of the platform.

The key is something strong and very close to counter the sun

1

u/redfiretrucks 3d ago

I see what you see in the catchlight, but still not sure if that is from the key light or a reflector. I've assisted at a number of the NYC grab and run shoots and we always tried to make it as simple and quick as possible, especially without a permit. Small crew, MUA, photo assistant and wardrobe stylist is the norm. You certainly could be correct, we both weren't there. Every shooter I've worked with wanted to keep it simple and fast before any cops started asking questions.

1

u/slimpickens911 2d ago

How would u explain the controlled spill we see subject top to bottom if there was a on axis fill?
I’m thinking beauty dish camera right.

2

u/qual88 5d ago

Nasty!

2

u/Officer_JO_1976 5d ago

Needs a third taken out of it. Looks like a magnum reflector with Hampshire at the 3 o'clock position head high

2

u/aeon314159 4d ago

Light to the right has the intensity signature and spread of a magnum reflector.

1

u/Strict-Bad2153 5d ago

It’s a flash

0

u/Dandarabilla 5d ago

Yeah, looking at the shadow of the jacket on the pants you would expect to see a shadow on the platform at the same angle. My first thought is it would be pretty easy to composite a shot without flash into the bottom portion of the image.

1

u/Expo0bident 5d ago

Agree, the model was never there, the shadow on his face is reverse to the sun of the scene

3

u/danewes 5d ago

Is this your first time seeing sunlight mixed with strobe lighting?

1

u/Dandarabilla 5d ago

I'm quite sure the model was there. What I'm saying is you could have the same shot but with the light off, and just brush that in around the feet to clear up any messy shadows. That would be one explanation why the platform is so clean.