Anylza Sings in the Rain in Chicago

Bilsen

One of the projects I have running this winter is "On Broadway". Some of you may remember Kay in Cabaret from last month.

This time, Anylza was set to do Chicago until she saw the clear umbrella in the props kit. We decided to combine Singing in the Rain with Chicago and see what happened. Here's what happened.

Click the first image for the full gallery.



2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.

zoomer

I think she did all she could with it, nice energy. The lighting and set probably didn't show her off to her best.

Bilsen

Thanks Zoomer.

This is an ongoing series so talk to me about how the Lighting and set are limiting the concept. Serious question.

Bryce Wilson

If you wouldn't have stated the concept in your preamble, I would have never imagined Broadway, the theater, Chicago from just looking at the images.

Tell me, what is it about this background and the way it is lit that should lead the viewer to think about a Broadway stage performance? What is it about the lighting and angle of attack you chose that is supposed to give that "on stage" impression?

jonh68

For me, the lighting doesn't present a mood. If you are going to have shadows in the background, then really have shadows. A white background and put the light more to her side so you can rembrandt lighting on her. The best way I can describe your lighting is it looks good for a corporate shot minus the shadowing on the background, but not for a themed shoot like this. Your lights are positioned in a way that it almost looks like straight on camera flash. You need to have one of your lights as a rim light for her hair and outline of her body. There just isn't a mood set with these pictures based on the project at hand.

Bilsen

Thanks all.

The single "trail spotlight" is a show type of lighting. The dress and poses are straight out of the show posters. I guess the gray seamless BKG may not do it but with backdrops running $400-500 that ain't gonna happen for a hobby.

Appreciate the comments.

jonh68

Bilsen wrote: »

Thanks all.

The single "trail spotlight" is a show type of lighting. The dress and poses are straight out of the show posters. I guess the gray seamless BKG may not do it but with backdrops running $400-500 that ain't gonna happen for a hobby.

Appreciate the comments.

I get the spotlight type of lighting, but this is more of what I was talking about. For spotlight to be effective it has to "spotlight" the subject. With her being so close to the background it spotlights the background as well. Using it close to straight on doesn't create a mood.

http://www.christchurchstar.co.nz/news/musical-review-chicago/1534199/

http://performingarts.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/chicago-men-smoking-cropped.jpg

http://www.pantagestheatertickets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Broadway-5.-Chicago.jpg

Bilsen

Thanks for the followup Jon.

Unfortunately, space limitations mean that's as far from the background as I can get a model. It does allow me to avoid bleed when I color the BKG but it isn't gonna let me take it all black they way I would like.

Gotham

Bilsen wrote: »

Thanks for the followup Jon.

Unfortunately, space limitations mean that's as far from the background as I can get a model. It does allow me to avoid bleed when I color the BKG but it isn't gonna let me take it all black they way I would like.

If you can't get her further away from the background, you should try your best to avoid bleeding any light onto the bg. Lots of flags would help. It's not going to do everything you want, but you can at least create a bit more moody light.

jonh68

Bilsen wrote: »

Thanks for the followup Jon.

Unfortunately, space limitations mean that's as far from the background as I can get a model. It does allow me to avoid bleed when I color the BKG but it isn't gonna let me take it all black they way I would like.

Thats when you use shadows to your advantage. If you can't escape them, make them more interesting. By moving the light more to one side or the other, the shadows become longer and more interesting, and it creates dramatic shadows on the model as well. Get creative with your angles instead of shooting straight on towards the background.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeroads/7114774483/

Bryce Wilson

Lower your f stop and raise the SS.

This was taken in my livingroom in front of a black bed sheet. 3.5 feet from the background. I had to actually light the sheet to give the impression of light fall off from a spotlight from above, which is where spotlights normally come from.

Bilsen

Dank yu beddy much again.