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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: HTexan on August 23, 2009, 01:12:06 AM

Title: lighting for photos??
Post by: HTexan on August 23, 2009, 01:12:06 AM
What lighting setup do pro photographers used to make muscles pop?  ???
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: sync pulse on August 23, 2009, 01:28:59 AM
First they put two lights at 45 degree angles to each other, left and right, the "key" and "fill" lights.  The fill light is less bright than the key light, from around half to one third as bright, so the shadows, while not as deep as with one light, are still there.  Then you aim a light from over head and somewhat behind to the subject to put a "highlight" on the edges of the muscles.  (portrait photographers do the same to put a highlight on people's hair)

If you want sharp shadows, you use light that are "point sources", that is lights that come from relatively small areas.  It you want soft shadows, you use a reflector, like an "umbrella" made with the same semi metallic cloth as movie screens. 
Soft shadows are more flattering to people's faces who have lots of wrinkles and blemishes, and it makes muscles look rounder. (The so called "baseball" or "cannon ball" biceps.)

Point sources make things look more "defined" and sharper.
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: Tapeworm on August 23, 2009, 01:32:12 AM
First they put two lights at 45 degree angles to each other, left and right, the "key" and "fill" lights.  The fill light is less bright than the key light, from around half to one third as bright, so the shadows, while not as deep as with one light, are still there.  Then you aim a light from over head and somewhat behind to the subject to put a "highlight" on the edges of the muscles.  (portrait photographers do the same to put a highlight on people's hair)

If you want sharp shadows, you use light that are "point sources", that is lights that come from relatively small areas.  It you want soft shadows, you use a reflector, like an "umbrella" made with the same semi metallic cloth as movie screens. 
Soft shadows are more flattering to people's faces who have lots of wrinkles and blemishes, and it makes muscles look rounder. (The so called "baseball" or "cannon ball biceps.")

Point sources make things look more "defined" and sharper.


Wow.  Good answer.  You have experience on one side of the camera or the other?
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: sync pulse on August 23, 2009, 01:37:54 AM
Broadcasting, mostly in radio, but I can produce audio visual materials as well.  (film, video, still photos)
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: HTexan on August 23, 2009, 01:39:07 AM
First they put two lights at 45 degree angles to each other, left and right, the "key" and "fill" lights.  The fill light is less bright than the key light, from around half to one third as bright, so the shadows, while not as deep as with one light, are still there.  Then you aim a light from over head and somewhat behind to the subject to put a "highlight" on the edges of the muscles.  (portrait photographers do the same to put a highlight on people's hair)

If you want sharp shadows, you use light that are "point sources", that is lights that come from relatively small areas.  It you want soft shadows, you use a reflector, like an "umbrella" made with the same semi metallic cloth as movie screens. 
Soft shadows are more flattering to people's faces who have lots of wrinkles and blemishes, and it makes muscles look rounder. (The so called "baseball" or "cannon ball biceps.")

Point sources make things look more "defined" and sharper.

thanks
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: Tapeworm on August 23, 2009, 01:40:03 AM
Broadcasting, mostly in radio, but I can produce audio visual materials as well.  (film, video, still photos)

Yes, I too have a face for radio.  ;)
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: sync pulse on August 23, 2009, 01:43:09 AM
My face (and personality)was made for darkened control rooms.
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: bodybuilder1234 on August 23, 2009, 07:13:36 AM
dont worry to much about the watts and angles, most kitchen lights will suffice.....just ask King Kamali
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: dyslexic on August 23, 2009, 08:30:37 AM
Kamali looks fantastic in this month's Musclemag...











NOT  :P



He is very uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... "offseason?"
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: noworries on August 23, 2009, 08:52:48 AM
Yes sometimes they use the lighting to help make the BB look better as in this case. Sometimes "less is better"
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: spinnis on August 23, 2009, 08:56:21 AM
First they put two lights at 45 degree angles to each other, left and right, the "key" and "fill" lights.  The fill light is less bright than the key light, from around half to one third as bright, so the shadows, while not as deep as with one light, are still there.  Then you aim a light from over head and somewhat behind to the subject to put a "highlight" on the edges of the muscles.  (portrait photographers do the same to put a highlight on people's hair)

If you want sharp shadows, you use light that are "point sources", that is lights that come from relatively small areas.  It you want soft shadows, you use a reflector, like an "umbrella" made with the same semi metallic cloth as movie screens. 
Soft shadows are more flattering to people's faces who have lots of wrinkles and blemishes, and it makes muscles look rounder. (The so called "baseball" or "cannon ball" biceps.)

Point sources make things look more "defined" and sharper.



One of the most serious answers in GB history lol!
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: Mr Nobody on August 23, 2009, 09:07:19 AM
Yes sometimes they use the lighting to help make the BB look better as in this case. Sometimes "less is better"
In this case the bad lighting saved vince from intense meltdown ;)
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: MethodGNA on August 23, 2009, 09:28:24 AM
Yes sometimes they use the lighting to help make the BB look better as in this case. Sometimes "less is better"

haha.........that was a good one......and true
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: saucetradomous on August 23, 2009, 10:19:04 AM

One of the most serious answers in GB history lol!

Haha I was thinking the same thing.. this guy is way too helpful.. He must be put in timeout.
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: saucetradomous on August 23, 2009, 10:25:27 AM
I would have suggested proceeding to the kitchen.. turning off all the lights and shutting the blinds especially if the sun is still up.  Opening the fridge door at least 90 degrees and placing yourself perpendicular to the fridge. 
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: HTexan on August 23, 2009, 01:54:19 PM
Haha I was thinking the same thing.. this guy is way too helpful.. He must be put in timeout.
leave sync pulse alone  >:(
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: noworries on August 23, 2009, 08:49:35 PM
Go downtown and wait till around 2pm or so.  The natural light off the high rise buildings make the best light.
Title: Re: lighting for photos??
Post by: HTexan on August 23, 2009, 09:31:08 PM
Go downtown and wait till around 2pm or so.  The natural light off the high rise buildings make the best light.
ahhh... i didn't think i'm going to be flexing with my shirt off downtown any time soon. ;)