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Of the many factors that go into making a great studio photograph (subject matter, lighting, props, composition, camera lenses/settings, etc.), choices of color are often overlooked by amateur photographers. Determining what colors to use, how they interact with other colors, and how to control color saturation are all important issues to consider when creating an image.
(Click on any image below for an enlarged view.) |
Topics Covered:
- Setting up a high color-contrast set
- Using Louvers to control soft light
- Creating a colored background spotlight with a Dedolight
Equipment Used:
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Background Equipment
- 9' roll of blue seamless background paper
- Gaffer's tape
- 12' steel pole
- rope
- eyehooks
- nautical cleats
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 Figure 1 |
We used 2 Starlite Medium Digital Kits set up one over the other. We set soft box on the bottom horizontally and the soft box on the top vertically. These will be used as single light source and the key light in this portrait. |
 Figure 2 |
The results show the soft quality of the light on the subject but there is a high level of contrast in this image as well. This is due to the size of the light source relative to the size of the subject. |
 Figure 3 |
We added louvers to the kits to help direct the light where we wanted it without affecting the quality of light produced by the SilverDomes. |
 Figure 4 |
In this set-up we have added a 39" x 72" White/Soft Gold Oval LiteDisc attached to the Photoflex LiteDisc Holder, then mounted the DL Holder to a Photoflex 2218 LiteStand. We used the soft gold side of the reflector to add some warmth to the image. |
 Figure 5 |
Notice how the installation of the louvers adds more dimension and fine detail to our subject and controls the spill of light onto the background to help separate it from our subject. |
 Figure 6 |
I took several full-length shots at this final lighting set-up, and later found this image to be the most compelling of the bunch. Here, the model's pose is simple and balanced, and the intensity of the blue spotlight is vividly contrasted against the orange flowers and dress. |
 Figure 7 |
Finally, I came in tighter for some headshots. In this shot, notice how the flowers and model's face help to create a dramatic color contrast against the blue background. |
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Click here to view a more detailed version of this lesson, complete with camera set-up information, on Web Photo School. |
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Related Lessons
Following are Web Photo School lessons related to this topic.
Equipment Used:
Recommended Links
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