Light Shaping Tools, Part 2
Photographer Joe McNally vocalizes his thought process as he lights and shoots a mix of indoor and outdoor locations in New Mexico.
Release Date: 2008-10-30
Lessons
The Penitentiary Prop
<p>Joe McNally is going to be shooting on location inside an abandoned New Mexico State prison</p>
Duration: 7 mins 42 seconds
CD Cover
<p>For this project, Joe is bringing in 3 models who are pretending to be part of a band that is shooting a group portrait</p>
Duration: 10 mins 20 seconds
Picking Location
<p>Looking at background, lighting, and thinking about the type of setup</p>
Duration: 7 mins 57 seconds
Zero Out Camera
<p>Check camera settings and make sure that it is ready to shoot your new location</p>
Duration: 4 mins 1 seconds
Lens and Light
<p>Setting up the beauty dish on location and maintaining access to electricity</p>
Duration: 5 mins 54 seconds
Adjusting the Light
<p>Adjusting boom arms, choosing reflective surfaces</p>
Duration: 5 mins 1 seconds
First Shots
<p>Bringing in the models to start snapping a few photos</p>
Duration: 9 mins 58 seconds
Lighting Ratios and Exposures
<p>Bouncing light sources off the floor and adding a backlight to the shot</p>
Duration: 4 mins 39 seconds
Changing Light Sources
<p>Adjusting the light to give the shoot a different feel</p>
Duration: 9 mins 4 seconds
Evolving During the Shoot
<p>Changing wardrobe, changing the light are some of the adjustments being made while the shoot is in progress</p>
Duration: 3 mins 32 seconds
Key Lighting
<p>The versatility of the c-stand allows photographers to tailor the light hitting each their subjects</p>
Duration: 1 mins 51 seconds
Improvisation
<p>Experimenting with a Kino Flo light and a long throw reflector on the set</p>
Duration: 1 mins 21 seconds
New Location
<p>An outdoor shoot in New Mexico will bring a whole new set of ideas to execute and challenges to overcome</p>
Duration: 2 mins 5 seconds
Assessing the Gear
<p>Joe goes through all of the gear he has brought out to this new location</p>
Duration: 3 mins 33 seconds
Octa Light Bank and Batteries
<p>The Octa light source a beautiful but temperamental light source. Make sure you have plenty of battery power</p>
Duration: 6 mins 45 seconds
Picture Depth and Fill Lighting
<p>Adding background elements for depth and positioning a fill light</p>
Duration: 2 mins 4 seconds
Battling the Light
<p>Rushing against time to get the right light for the setup</p>
Duration: 1 mins 43 seconds
Laying Out Saloon Setup
<p>Joe walks through his thinking process as he decides how he wants to shoot inside a saloon</p>
Duration: 4 mins 20 seconds
Playing With Light
<p>There is a give and go with the light sources in any photo shoot</p>
Duration: 2 mins 13 seconds
Strip Light
<p>This type of light is great for creating dramatic portraits</p>
Duration: 2 mins 24 seconds
Listen to the Location
<p>Creating moody jailhouse portraits</p>
Duration: 7 mins 53 seconds
Working with Harsh Light
<p>Using a baffle, or silk, to soften harsh light</p>
Duration: 9 mins 38 seconds