Lighting Test Shoot *

I have arranged a test shoot with Dionne the Photographer to explore and experiment with lighting set ups, this is an element i feel is important to the overall look and atmosphere of the images. Stage lighting is usually very harshly over lit with heavy back shadows, i want to explore taking elements of this to align the images to the theatre industry context but also referencing higher quality editorial images as the actual images will be taken in a photo shoot form.

 

I want to particularly focus on the second scene 'Story Time with Sara' as the lighting will be the main aspect to getting the feel and telling the story of the scene, below are the images that i will show Dionne before experimentation to make sure we have a clear communication about what visual is desired, I will be modeling as the actors are not a key focus in these images i want to play with shadow, colour and the overall aesthetic of the scene. 

Lighting Set up 1: Soft box in front 

We found that this reflected the irredecent particles in the material a little too much, although the ghostly effect is along the lines of what im after, i like the way that you can see you figure behind the curtain clearly that I had originally expected. 

As in the overall composition of the scene half the shots will be of the girls behind the curtain and the other of Miss Amelia and Becky on the other side listening in. I experimented standing both in front and behind the curtain to make sure the lighting worked with both positioning. I found this worked effectively on both sides, I further pulled in some additional people in the hall to step in behind the curtain so we could see how it worked with both sides having figures in them. I was pleased with how this worked but feel that getting the right mix of close up shots of each of the models within the composition will be essential in conveying the emotive feel as it is silhouette based imagery.

Lighting Set up 2: Pink gel light in front, Soft box behind curtain.

For these shots we were trying to really create the depth in colour from the image boards referenced above Dionne suggested the use of gel lighting would be the easiest way to initially trial this without much post production done on the final imagery and i was pleased with the outcome although we did not achieve the varied colours the effect was what i had envisaged In working with the photographer on this and having a similar visual communicated previously we were able to crete a successful aesthetic, Dionne also suggested that post production would be a further way to achieve a varied result and something that can be considered when at this stage.

Projection Lights: Door (boarding school)

Having a open communication of desired visuals my photographer was able to suggest different techniques that could work with my envisaged set design. She suggested the use of a projection window mirror, I was thrilled and instantly excited when I saw this as it was something I had visualised in the set design but was finding hard to create, thinking I was going to have to use an actual door but struggling to see how i would transport this into studios. This was rewarding as i felt that I had been able to really engage the photographer into my design head space to the point she was suggesting techniques to improve the visuals that matched my own exactly.  

Projection Lights: Door & Gel colours.

I am pleased that we have test shot with the lights this gives me more confidence that on the day i wont have to worry about if Dionne knows what she is doing, having tested all lighting set ups it is an element i wont have to think about on shoot day now being able to concentrate on my many other jobs such as the overall creative direction. I feel it also adds more atmosphere to the scenes and gives them a context in placement of the ongoing narrative.