Self Portrait No. 53

ScottMcLeod

I honestly have no clue how many self-portraits I've done, but 53 was a nice number.

Inspired by Christopher Walken ( http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/eisies/eisies2000/images/newEssay8big.jpg ), this portrait was shot with a home-built Ring Light that I made today using 10 - 150w fluorescent daylight balanced bulbs.

Only 4 bulbs were used, 2 on direct opposite horizontal sides of the ring.

The ring itself has 10 lights, arranged in a circle roughly 50cm in diameter.

saurora

That is one scarey photo of Christopher Walken!!! I can't imagine anyone wanting to attempt that shot! Yours is no where near as scarey!!!! Maybe it's because you're so much younger than he is that you can get away using such harsh lighting. I would be curious to see the catch-lights you would have if you had used all the bulbs in your circular light fixture. Interesting experiment!

ScottMcLeod

saurora wrote:

That is one scarey photo of Christopher Walken!!! I can't imagine anyone wanting to attempt that shot! Yours is no where near as scarey!!!! Maybe it's because you're so much younger than he is that you can get away using such harsh lighting. I would be curious to see the catch-lights you would have if you had used all the bulbs in your circular light fixture. Interesting experiment!

Yeah, I don't have the 50 year old weathered skin to be able to pull it off.

Ask, and ye-shall recieve!



All 10 lights.

saurora

The added light pretty much wipes out detail on the skin (I could go with that!) and is a much softer look. Were you at the same distance, etc? Kind of makes for spooky eyes! Thanks for the demo...have fun with your new set up!

DoctorIt

ScottMcLeod wrote:

All 10 lights.

the 10 "sided" catch-light is pretty darn cool

CarnalSigh

Gawd...I am so ugly, I'd break my cam if I tried a shot like that.

ScottMcLeod

saurora wrote:

The added light pretty much wipes out detail on the skin (I could go with that!) and is a much softer look. Were you at the same distance, etc? Kind of makes for spooky eyes! Thanks for the demo...have fun with your new set up!

Thanks! I plan on making a few more of these, in strip-with-reflector-form for full-length dancer shots.

The soft effect of all 10 is something I want to try with some glam-style shots.

I was a little further back for the full 10. I was trying to get up close for the 4, to give more (as my lighting teacher calls it) "sexy" side lighting.

ScottMcLeod

CarnalSigh wrote:

Gawd...I am so ugly, I'd break my cam if I tried a shot like that.

I disagree. You did it in your icon.

Everyone's got their own style of "look" we just happen to all hate our own, since we're photographers. It's natural. We don't like being in front of the camera.

schmoo

ScottMcLeod wrote:

I disagree. You did it in your icon.

Everyone's got their own style of "look" we just happen to all hate our own, since we're photographers. It's natural. We don't like being in front of the camera.

I really like your take on the matter. I always thought it was just me but I'm comforted knowing that many photographers dislike being on that side of the lens.

I also think the original portrait of Christpher Walken is frightening, but I think yours came out very well and I am loving the full ring of bulbs as catchlights.

Punkybeth

What a great shot!!! Amazing eyes!!! Great job!!!!

Rhuarc

schmooo wrote:

I really like your take on the matter. I always thought it was just me but I'm comforted knowing that many photographers dislike being on that side of the lens.

I also think the original portrait of Christpher Walken is frightening, but I think yours came out very well and I am loving the full ring of bulbs as catchlights.

I agree! I don't like how I look in front of a camera.

I really like the 10 lights in a circle. It gives a catchlight style that you don't see very often. Nice work!!

BillyVerden

Great shot, i guess we aren't going to get a view of your home built light ring?

I for one would be interested in seein' it. If its not a trade secret of course. Lol.

System

DoctorIt wrote:

the 10 "sided" catch-light is pretty darn cool

Agreed. Very nice effect.

ScottMcLeod

BillyVerden wrote:

Great shot, i guess we aren't going to get a view of your home built light ring?

I for one would be interested in seein' it. If its not a trade secret of course. Lol.

Ask and Ye Shall Recieve...









Man, my studio is a mess right now.

pathfinder

A very interesting light.

It looks like you get a lot of light cast off to the side to reflect back into your images.

Have you thought about constructing a circular shade/hooded reflector around the outside of your ring of lights to help reflect the light forward only and to diminish any reflected sidelighting? Either heavy construction paper or even thin sheet metal, perhaps.

urbanaries

that light is impressive! thanks for illustrating.

wxwax

This is very cool!

I like the first image, it's very striking.

And that light set-up is neat.

BillyVerden

Oh Wow. That is awesome. Thanks for posting it. I just may have to try something like that. Of course you can retain the patent rights. Lol. Thanks for letting us see it. Its cool.