1920's style shoot assistance required

[tfphotography]

I am embarking on my first real project. I am aiming to get some shots that will be of some similar look to 1920's woman in a bar. Smokey atmosphere with the conventional cigarette holder and headband.. that kind of thing. I have the models (they don't know yet but my persuasive skills are above par so shouldn't be a problem) and the props won't be hard to find. I just don't know where i'm going to shoot it.

I don't really want to go to a pub or bar with a couple of girls dressed up like 20's tarts and also I want some control over lighting...

So I suppose i'm asking, how do I go about setting up a location or setting for my shoot and what will I need with regards to lighting?

Like I said, this is my first planned project and i'm used to just finding something to photograph so I'm quite excited and optimistic at the moment!

Thanks

 

[Garry Edwards]

Short answer via iPhone. Find a suitable pub and ask if you borrow/hire it for a little while. Lighting - use what's there and add some backlit flash to emphasise the smoke and create mood.

 

[Pookeyhead]

I have the models (they don't know yet but my persuasive skills are above par so shouldn't be a problem)

How many times have I heard that before

Ok.. my question is... why have you set all this up, got models, venue.. everything... when you have no idea how to light it? Wouldn't it have been a better idea to go and check the venue out, and practice lighting it.. and THEN drag your models along? If you're not happy with teh shots due to your lighting, you'll just have to drag them along AGAIN to re-shoot it...

I wonder how long your persuasive kung-fu will last when people realise that they're going to have to keep going back to re-shoot whenever they model for you

 

[tfphotography]

Ok.. my question is... why have you set all this up, got models, venue.. everything... when you have no idea how to light it?

I haven't found any location yet and that's where I'm stuck, because as much as i'd like to go to a local pub, I'm not sure it would have the right look to it..

And i'm not worried about the models, if my persuasive skills don't work, I will resort to blackmail (they're my friends so it's acceptable!).

 

[tfphotography]

and with regards to lighting in general, I am, to put it simply, a massive noob at the moment. It's a part of my photography I am trying to develop but with the help of the internet and my own enthusiasm for photography, I have the ability to learn extremely quickly.

 

[Phil V]

When you say 'massive noob' what do you mean exactly? Because styling a shoot for a particular era requires a bit more skill than lighting a modern studio portrait or watching a few strobist videos.

Are you looking to reproduce 1920's cinema lighting? or just to use / supplement the natural light of the venue?

 

[boyfalldown]

For the lighting, I find taking the following approach help massively, for me.

Pick and scene or two for inspiration. Then work out how each element of the scene is lit. Break it down - say for example its a guy holding a gun, is he lit as a whole - or is each element lit individually? If each element is lit individually then what ratios (roughly) are used?

Then form there, using that inspiration you can design you're own scene. Draw it if it helps. Only then work out what you need and what you need to change to make it work. Then bring your models in

 

[tfphotography]

Are you looking to reproduce 1920's cinema lighting? or just to use / supplement the natural light of the venue?

Sorry if i'm not very clear on what I want.. basically if you can imagine todays technology.. but in the 1920's. So it would be shot in the way you would today, but with a 1920's theme. And i'm ideally wanting to know, how can I go about making the background of the image suit the 1920's theme really. As I can sort all the other bits relatively easy, but when it comes to forcing a suitable background, thats where i'm stuck, as i've never set out to take photos in this way.

As I am developing my skills and knowledge as much as I can, I do apologise if i'm over complicating things perhaps.

Cheers

For the lighting, I find taking the following approach help massively, for me.

Pick and scene or two for inspiration. Then work out how each element of the scene is lit. Break it down - say for example its a guy holding a gun, is he lit as a whole - or is each element lit individually? If each element is lit individually then what ratios (roughly) are used?

Then form there, using that inspiration you can design you're own scene. Draw it if it helps. Only then work out what you need and what you need to change to make it work. Then bring your models in

Thanks! I will definitely give this a go in preparation for my shots!

 

[Phil V]

This really starts with finding a suitable venue, it's a lot easier to strip out a couple of modern pieces from an old fashioned room than adding lots of old pieces to a more modern space.
We have a cool art deco hotel in my hometown that'd be perfect.

But I fear the elephant in the room is:

"Smokey atmosphere with the conventional cigarette holder"

The current law makes this a really tricky thing to recreate, particularly in a borrowed space.

And you haven't really answered the question about what lighting gear you have available and your experience with it, lighting smoke is a technique you need to learn, even if you've already sorted your people / location lighting skills.

 

[boyfalldown]

Smokey atmosphere with the conventional cigarette holder and headband.. that kind of thing.

The current law makes this a really tricky thing to recreate, particularly in a borrowed space.

And you haven't really answered the question about what lighting gear you have available and your experience with it, lighting smoke is a technique you need to learn, even if you've already sorted your people / location lighting skills.

Most theatre equipment shops will sell mock cigarettes that appear lit and lifelike, obviously with no smoke. However that doesn't got you round the issue of smokey and how to light it.

 

[Phil V]

Most theatre equipment shops will sell mock cigarettes that appear lit and lifelike, obviously with no smoke. However that doesn't got you round the issue of smokey and how to light it.

The smoky was what I meant particularly, even with special effects smoke machines it's an 'ask' for a borrowed venue. Of course if you're hiring a venue or using your own studio, it's less of an issue.

It's slightly more interesting a challenge than the usual round here though.

 

[boyfalldown]

The smoky was what I meant particularly, even with special effects smoke machines it's an 'ask' for a borrowed venue. Of course if you're hiring a venue or using your own studio, it's less of an issue.

It's slightly more interesting a challenge than the usual round here though.

Undoubtably. The other issue you have with smoke machine etc etc is it soon starts to get very expensive. They also can have the effect of over smoking a room unless you're very careful. I still think the way forward for this is to decide pretty closely on the look the OP wishes to achieve, maybe draw it and then work out how to light/set it up. And what he'll need to achieve that

 

[Phil V]

Undoubtably. The other issue you have with smoke machine etc etc is it soon starts to get very expensive. They also can have the effect of over smoking a room unless you're very careful. I still think the way forward for this is to decide pretty closely on the look the OP wishes to achieve, maybe draw it and then work out how to light/set it up. And what he'll need to achieve that

I'd consider it a challenge, but we have no idea how experienced the OP is; he describes himself as a 'noob' but that could mean anything.

 

[Ilaria_P]

there is a place in the Trocadero in London (not sure how its called but its right at the entrance - i can fond out if interested) where they do those styled photoshoots and they have a 1920's styled bar settings there which I think with the right outfits and models would be great. The set up looks great in my opinion.

I dont know if they would let you rent it or not and how much it would be but perhaps worth asking?

Let me know if you want mor einfo I can find out.

 

[tfphotography]

I'd consider it a challenge, but we have no idea how experienced the OP is; he describes himself as a 'noob' but that could mean anything.

I'm not very experienced however, I feel that I can take on any challenge if I research well and have all the equipment at hand.. other than that my composition is pretty good and I'm down with the basics. But my weakness or inexperienced parts of my photography is definitely my lack of knowledge with lighting and how to use it! I don't even own any lights! However, having saved a lot in the last couple of months I am ready to start buying the necessary kit. But again, I don't even know what to buy! :shrug:

Should really consider taking a course...

there is a place in the Trocadero in London (not sure how its called but its right at the entrance - i can fond out if interested) where they do those styled photoshoots and they have a 1920's styled bar settings there which I think with the right outfits and models would be great. The set up looks great in my opinion.

I dont know if they would let you rent it or not and how much it would be but perhaps worth asking?

Let me know if you want mor einfo I can find out.

Hi there,

Thanks that sounds brilliant! I'd definitely love to know more on this place. I'll give it a google search but if you know anything, please post it!

 

[Phil V]

Just so you realise what your plan is, a football forum:

I've played a bit of handball, but I've got this idea I want to dribble round a couple of midfielders, make a sprint for the defenders, play a back heeled 1-2 with my mate and score with a beautiful overhead kick. I pick things up fast, I probably need some advice on the boots to buy, I'll think about some training!

Have a look at all the 'first time using studio flash' threads in the portraiture section, that's your starting point. From there you'll want a load of practice to do it we'll enough to justify the effort you're putting in to the concept. Then you'll have to think about some lighting for the space, then the smoke.

When I said 'I'd consider it a challenge' I've been using studio flash mostly as a hobby for 20 years, and by challenge, I mean a proper task that'd stretch my lighting ability further than I've ever done prior.

I'm not trying to put you off, it's an interesting concept, but I think you could spend a weekend lighting a headshot with an interesting smoke effect if you really have never used lighting before, and then you might be disappointed with the results. That's with a completely dark bg.

 

[Ilaria_P]

I'm not very experienced however, I feel that I can take on any challenge if I research well and have all the equipment at hand.. other than that my composition is pretty good and I'm down with the basics. But my weakness or inexperienced parts of my photography is definitely my lack of knowledge with lighting and how to use it! I don't even own any lights! However, having saved a lot in the last couple of months I am ready to start buying the necessary kit. But again, I don't even know what to buy! :shrug:

Should really consider taking a course...


Hi there,

Thanks that sounds brilliant! I'd definitely love to know more on this place. I'll give it a google search but if you know anything, please post it!

Hi Toby,

here it is its called History Studios http://www.historystudiosuk.com

I did a shoot there with my partner as it was given as a gift. We did go for the 1920's look as well so i could send you some of the pics takes to show you the settings a bit?

Let me know and I will email you .