I’m a huge advocate of creating depth in a photograph. One of the ways is to use a back light or at times referred to as a hair light when shooting talent.
Some of the challenges I might have are when the talent has blonde or gray / silver colored hair. I’ll lose hair detail in the hair light. I found a great method for helping gain back that detail without losing the depth that a hair light can create.
First I’ll spray paint the inside of one of my reflectors from metal to flat white. This will soften the contrast:
The next thing I will add is some diffusion material referred to as Quarter Grid. It’s a soft fabric you can purchase from B&H.
I’ll take the Quarter Grid fabric and stretch it over the reflector. I’ll add a 20˚ grid to that reflector and pull it on the edges nice and snug:
I’m ready to shoot some talent with a soft diffused hair light:
Here you can see the details in Rene Auberjonois suit and hair through the diffused light:
Anytime you have the opportunity to make anyone look better through a simple technique such as I’ve just shared, take it up a notch and see the amazing results you can achieve.
That’s a wrap, fade to black
Mike Kubeisy has been shooting celebrities in Hollywood for over 30 years as a Motion Picture and Television Stills Photographer.
Mike is best known for his work on countless popular shows that are household names: CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, JAG, Boston Legal, Pretty Little Liars to name a few. His current projects are NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles.
Mike is a Trainer for KelbyOne, and Los Angeles Center of Photography. Mike is also a member of the International Cinematographers Guild.
You can view Mike’s work at 4stills.com, and follow him on Facebook at 4Stills.
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