the hair light is a difficult thing!

[musicman5]

The hair light in this image is a Canon 430EX II, gridded on a boom over the subjects head. 1/2 power I think.

Back light is a 430EX at full power.

Key light is an AB800 at 1/4 power shooting thru a 43" brolly box.

Comments? Questions?

[Steve (FloppyDog)]

Is this a paper background?

[OrcaBob]

You got the needed effect, Mark, but directly overhead probably isn't the most effective placement. In bomber lingo (with the model at the center of the clock), try placing the hair light at 10 o'clock high if the model's faced to the right, 2 o'clock high if faced to the left. That way you get sheen off the top and one side of the head. Directly overhead, both sides of her head of hair lose the light.

[musicman5]

Jan 16, 2010 6:24:53 GMT -5 Steve (FloppyDog) said:

Is this a paper background?

No, it is muslin.

[musicman5]

Jan 16, 2010 15:28:42 GMT -5 OrcaBob said:

You got the needed effect, Mark, but directly overhead probably isn't the most effective placement. In bomber lingo (with the model at the center of the clock), try placing the hair light at 10 o'clock high if the model's faced to the right, 2 o'clock high if faced to the left. That way you get sheen off the top and one side of the head. Directly overhead, both sides of her head of hair lose the light.

I had moved it away from the face to avoid stray light hitting it. So if you move it to one side or the other do you move it to the opposite side of the key light?

Today I took the grid off and experimented with a snoot. Did not really care for it. Will try moving it around some more.

Maybe a speedlite isn't the best tool for this, for me anyway. Will keep working at it though.

[musicman5]

This image has a fill light camera left and the hair light is snooted camera right pointed camera left behind the head.

[musicman5]

My experiments continue!



I have a couple live models lined up here pretty soon, so I am looking forward to that!!!