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Mel #1

© John H. Siskin

Mel #1

Uploaded: March 14, 2008

Description

This shot is designed to demonstrate mixed lighting used effectively. Not only does it mix hard and soft light it mixes continuous light and strobe to allow movement and sharpness in the same shot.

Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/10 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 160, FocalLength: 145.00 mm, Model: DCS Pro 14N

Comments

Tori A. Gonzalez March 17, 2008

Very interesting shot. did you have the strobe on his left side (the sharper focus)? and I'm guessing you had him move to create the slight blur on the right? #879516

John H. Siskin March 17, 2008

Hi Tori,
There are actually four lights in this shot. Near the camera I have a Norman LH 2400 with a beauty dish, sort of a large reflector. This light has 250 watt-seconds. On camera left there is a light panel with an umbrella that makes a very large light source. There is another Norman Strobe head on this with 750 watt-seconds. Behind this light, and behind the subject is a 600 watt quartz broad light with barn doors. This is primarily lighting the background. Also behind the subject is a 600 watt quartz light, this light is in the right side of the camera. This light also has a barn doors and is set-up to light the side of the face. Yes the subject is moving.
Thanks, John Siskin
#5654359

Sherry McClead July 19, 2008

Such a wonderful portrait John... you are a wonder. Thanks for sharing the info with us... many of us a eager to learn how it is done...

Sherrybear :} #6197409

Joanne Kramer July 19, 2008

I love the color and softness of this portrait. #6198370

John H. Siskin July 19, 2008

Hi Djoanne & Sherry,
This shot was made for an article that will soon appear in Photo Techniques. The article details how most of the light modifiers work. I got to use a lot of modifiers in this shot, reflectors, barn doors and light panels. I was able to create the sharp and soft look, which I love, by using quartz lights and strobes. Since the two light sources have different colors, I warmed up the strobes with a 1/2 Orange. I wanted the two lights to have similar color, but not the same. The studio gives you such wonderful opportunities to create the light that you see in your head.
Thanks, John Siskin
#6198540

Sharon Cahn July 19, 2008

The eyes are so different (from each other) that the two sides of the face could be of two different people. Lighting the eyelid of the out of focus eye makes him look a little deformed. The movement works for me in the hand and even the shoulder, but I just can't like the missing eye. I have tried. What is your reasoning for lighting it this way? #6199914

Arman E. Barbuco July 19, 2008

Yes this seems to be a very interesting portrait. Is this experimental or you totally been doing this? Though I like the smoothness of the shot. #6199939

Ulysses A. Villamin July 20, 2008

HOM = Handsome Old Man :) #6200521

John H. Siskin July 20, 2008

Hi Sharon & Arman,
I had hoped that this image would have a literary quality that is you would tell yourself a story about the subject. One reason for this is that the image will be used in a national photography magazine: Photo Techniques. So I want to engage the viewer. Actually I think I accomplished this, in part because of the unusual character of the light. This article is about understanding how to control and manipulate light so this shot will fit in nicely.

I do not do any one sort of portrait lighting, this light is created for this purpose. I think that it is strange for a photographer to manipulate the subject to fit the light; it should be the other way around. Since I work exclusively for businesses I know that they hire me to communicate a specific story about the business. Of course this is very different if the subject is a bank or a non-profit. Even when I am doing individual shots of a group, as with a bank board of directors I use a set up that allows some customization for the different faces. Unless you are shooting school portraits it is good to make the light match the needs of the image.
Thanks, John Siskin
Ps. I think you are right Ulysses.
#6201586

Sharon Cahn July 21, 2008

Thanks for explaining this. I see a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde look to the two sides, all done with lighting on movement. How interesting! #6205316

Ellen L. Zaslaw December 10, 2008

Engaging it is. Effective and captivating. #6875589

John H. Siskin December 10, 2008

Hi Ellen,
I think that lighting is the most important skill I can teach another photographer. In Greek Photography means writing with light, surely it is good for photographers to learn to control light! This image is in the current issue of Photo Techniques with an article about lighting. You might look for it at a bookstore. Thanks, John
#6877510

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