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FuzzyYak — Rivercop

Published: 2011-10-13 15:55:26 +0000 UTC; Views: 2292; Favourites: 26; Downloads: 31
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Description I've been working on perfecting a lighting technique for months now and I got some new toys on Monday to help me along in finding that perfect setup. This is the result of me trying out said new toys. When there are no models around, one has to do what one has to do

This one particular shot came out quite nice, lighting-wise, so I wanted to share it and some of the technical bits behind it. This specific setup is called Rivercop (don't look at me, I don't come up with the names ) or 3 Edge Lighting.  I had two 180cm x 42cm strip lights (they're basically narrow softboxes) with grids on right behind me pointing towards my shoulders. The main light is a 60cm x 60cm softbox just above the camera view, at a +-45 degree downward angle.

I used three speedlights - 2 Canon 580EXIIs in the back boxes and a Yongnuo YN560 in the main box. The back lights were at 1/16th power and the one in front was, if memory serves, about 1 to 2 stops lower. I would bump that up a bit more though, just for some more details.

The last challenge that I'm facing with this setup is how to get more light into the eye sockets. I have a couple of ideas on how to solve it and will share when I have figured it out.  I hope all of this a) makes sense and b) helps. If you guys have any more questions, just ask away!


Model: Erm... me
Location: Studio, Johannesburg, South Africa


Thanks in advance for all comments, favourites and watches. Even if I don't reply and say thanks to all of them, I really appreciate all the feedback you guys give me.

All images are copyright (c) Johann Marx. Unauthorised use (including manipulation artworks, websites, layouts, tubes, wallpapers, banners, blogs, CDs, posters, icons or any other use of this kind) is strictly forbidden. Please respect the model in your comments.
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Comments: 50

Martzart [2012-02-08 18:15:32 +0000 UTC]

I like this shot, just bought my 3rd flash yesterday.
I have a canon 430exII , an ancient dry-cell metz and now a Vivitar 285hv.
and 4 cactus v5 transceivers, now I just have to get some light modifiers and work my ass off learning to use it all.

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FuzzyYak In reply to Martzart [2012-02-08 18:18:43 +0000 UTC]

Hahahah! And therein lies the trick! Lemme know when you figure it all out!

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robwingman [2011-12-24 12:44:22 +0000 UTC]

Great image brother.

I like everything about it, but the lack of light in your eyes as you said.

No problem though, an easy way to fix that and get the exactly amount of light you want around the eyes would be using a long snoot on another 580 EXII.

I have had that same problem before, but using the snoot I could bring just enough light to a pin point spot that was "killing me" , just remember to set the flash to it's lowest setting once you start trying to fix the problem, and if you need more light just power up until you get the amount of light desired in that particular area.

Amazing work brother.

Take care and Merry Christmas.

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FuzzyYak In reply to robwingman [2011-12-29 18:28:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks man! For the great feedback and the compliments! Really appreciate it! Happy New Year!

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ManicEros [2011-10-19 05:56:39 +0000 UTC]

Really cool shot dude, the side lighting is done well, if you want to get some more light in the eyes try a small reflector, about waist high in front of the model.

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FuzzyYak In reply to ManicEros [2011-10-19 12:35:23 +0000 UTC]

I played around with a reflector, but because of the angle of the main light, it doesn't work that well.

I'm going to see if adding another flash from the bottom up will sort it out. But I have to get my fourth flash fixed first

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devilman2465 [2011-10-19 02:40:37 +0000 UTC]

The lighting is beautiful but it's the model that's the knock-out

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FuzzyYak In reply to devilman2465 [2011-10-19 04:05:35 +0000 UTC]

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rhunsulrana [2011-10-18 21:05:14 +0000 UTC]

you're ADORABLE

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FuzzyYak In reply to rhunsulrana [2011-10-19 04:05:59 +0000 UTC]

But... but... that's my mean face!

Thanks!

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rhunsulrana In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-19 11:41:11 +0000 UTC]

lol i almost believed that, but then i thought you were too cute to be mean :3

great lighting too, btw. sounds like a complicated setup but the effect was well worth it. I agree about cranking the front light up a hair, but i think if you try too hard to get light INTO the sockets you'll lose a little of the light/dark contrast and might even lose the stark definition.

but then again, i might be plain old wrong.


...but your still cute

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FuzzyYak In reply to rhunsulrana [2011-10-19 14:23:19 +0000 UTC]

Dammit! I'll have to work on my mean face some more!

I like the dark eye sockets, but the lack of catch-lights and definition in the eyes is what bugs me, so I just need to fine tune the setup, then it'll work like a bomb.

And thanks for the compliment

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rhunsulrana In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-20 11:41:24 +0000 UTC]

what if you had a small light, like a super bright white led or something, at eye level facing you but didn't change anything else in the light set up? do you think you would get the reflection of that light as like, a twinkle in the eye kind of thing? it could either help or look creepy hahah

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FuzzyYak In reply to rhunsulrana [2011-10-20 16:57:42 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, it is suggested that you use a flashlight, but I figured that would spill onto the eyesocket and not look good. Joey Lawrence (AMAZING photographer) uses another flash, powered all the way down just to get the catchlights and no spill. That's what I'll be trying as soon as I get my four flash fixed.

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prowlerbear [2011-10-18 13:43:32 +0000 UTC]

nice! really cool how the side lights make your eyes the focus of your face...

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FuzzyYak In reply to prowlerbear [2011-10-19 04:06:05 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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GuruenBB [2011-10-17 08:35:55 +0000 UTC]

Awesome.. I'm still learning to take decent shots so i love when the technique is explained in detail and giving us a 'behind-the-scenes' look.

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FuzzyYak In reply to GuruenBB [2011-10-17 13:57:52 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you found it useful

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br3ak-the-1ce [2011-10-14 13:35:18 +0000 UTC]

I really like this shot, lighting wise. Cheers for adding the extra info I enjoy reading through them. Gives me ideas to experiment with.

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FuzzyYak In reply to br3ak-the-1ce [2011-10-15 05:05:18 +0000 UTC]

Pleasure man! Let me know when you've tried it, so I can see!

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br3ak-the-1ce In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-17 12:59:47 +0000 UTC]

Now to borrow some gear XD

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FuzzyYak In reply to br3ak-the-1ce [2011-10-17 13:57:58 +0000 UTC]

Dooooo it!

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DesignADP [2011-10-14 07:44:19 +0000 UTC]

LOL...why???

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FuzzyYak In reply to DesignADP [2011-10-14 09:25:15 +0000 UTC]

Why what?

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DesignADP In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-14 11:01:50 +0000 UTC]

Rivercop...lol

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FuzzyYak In reply to DesignADP [2011-10-15 05:00:17 +0000 UTC]

Read the description.

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DesignADP In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-16 17:31:53 +0000 UTC]

I did...lol...just luv pulling your leg

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FuzzyYak In reply to DesignADP [2011-10-17 03:56:58 +0000 UTC]

Right.

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hawkeye1 [2011-10-14 05:08:25 +0000 UTC]

I like this one a lot, the lack of catchlights suits the mood of the shot. Not sure about the hair, though.....

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FuzzyYak In reply to hawkeye1 [2011-10-14 05:35:24 +0000 UTC]

What the fuck do you know about hair?! Really... what?

Thanks mate.

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hawkeye1 In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-14 06:21:34 +0000 UTC]

At my age, I'm lucky to still have some.

No worries mate.

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FuzzyYak In reply to hawkeye1 [2011-10-14 07:24:16 +0000 UTC]

Exactly...

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Zhaanman [2011-10-13 23:49:37 +0000 UTC]

Most impressive Johann!! Love that lighting very cool dramatic feel to it Nice beard and spiked hair too!!

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FuzzyYak In reply to Zhaanman [2011-10-14 04:50:45 +0000 UTC]

Hehehe, thanks bud

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KurenaiSakura [2011-10-13 19:06:39 +0000 UTC]

Yum! Very handsome!

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FuzzyYak In reply to KurenaiSakura [2011-10-14 04:50:52 +0000 UTC]

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oovidiu [2011-10-13 17:27:57 +0000 UTC]

great as usual.

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FuzzyYak In reply to oovidiu [2011-10-13 17:31:03 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Are you still sleeping with one eye open? The day that I figure out how to extract talent from someone... I'm coming for you

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oovidiu In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-14 05:58:33 +0000 UTC]

I stoped sleeping since then...night i stay on guard

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FuzzyYak In reply to oovidiu [2011-10-14 06:13:31 +0000 UTC]

Good thinking!

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ShamDaddy [2011-10-13 17:26:44 +0000 UTC]

GREAT photo, dude!

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FuzzyYak In reply to ShamDaddy [2011-10-13 17:30:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Songficcer [2011-10-13 17:23:02 +0000 UTC]

.....You're fuzzy

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FuzzyYak In reply to Songficcer [2011-10-13 17:29:25 +0000 UTC]

I am. Hence the nick

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Songficcer In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-13 18:34:32 +0000 UTC]

lol I know <3

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FuzzyYak In reply to Songficcer [2011-10-13 18:46:57 +0000 UTC]

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Philluppus [2011-10-13 17:06:35 +0000 UTC]




Phill

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FuzzyYak In reply to Philluppus [2011-10-13 17:30:16 +0000 UTC]

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Philluppus In reply to FuzzyYak [2011-10-13 17:38:42 +0000 UTC]

you are fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine

i envy all the toys you can use for shooting, amazing....

Phill

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FuzzyYak In reply to Philluppus [2011-10-13 18:46:51 +0000 UTC]



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