Abstract patterned light on background

Phil V

Phil V

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Yesterday we had a play with the lighting, what I wanted to achieve was an abstract spot of light behind the subject (spot broken with random geometric pattern).

Using a snoot (flashbender on a speedlight) I tried all sorts of interference but nothing did what I was aiming for:thinking:.

Is there a way of achieving this without a spotlight and gobo's? I'm happy with Heath Robinson for the number of times it'll be needed.

I have at my disposal 3 studio heads with std reflectors, brollies softbox, beauty dish w grid, speedlights w flashbender and other assorted diffusers.
 
Cinefoil.
Just cut out the shapes you want and shine the light through it. Obviously, far from the subject and close to the light for a very defocussed look, and the opposite for the opposite effect
 
Thanks Garry - so effectively a DIY gobo?

Will that work OK sat inside a snoot?
 
DIY gobo yes, but although I've never tried it inside a snoot, it can't work inside one as it would be too close to the light for the shapes to be anywhere near sharp.

Of course, it depends on the effect you want - if you want the projected image to be very out of focus then it may be worth trying. If you don't, you need to position the gobo as close as possible to the subject and to have the light as far away from it as possible, perhaps using the snoot to light it, preventing unwanted light from hitting the subject.

It's a poor man's focussing spotlight, but it works.
 
I'm not sure if this is what you want, but back in the day, we used to often tape small branches with leaves on, in front of the lights to create a mottled pattern on the back grounds.
 
Garry
I dont know why I never realised the focussing situation, I feel like a numpty for not working that out.

Thanks Mark, that's food for thought now the focussings obvious.
 
You could try using an old film camera as a projector. Strap the flashgun onto the back, replace your film-plane with the gobo and focus with the lens.

If you just want a random pattern, a pile of wine glasses often does the job.
 
Shine a speedlight through a pair of old string pants, gives a stained ass window effect
 
Steve T said:
Shine a speedlight through a pair of old string pants, gives a stained ass window effect
Click to expand...

LOL

On a more serious note I have though about trying to use something like an old overhead projector with teh bulb replaced with a speedlight. Put whatever you want on the projector and have it be the background.
 
Hodders said:
LOL

On a more serious note I have though about trying to use something like an old overhead projector with teh bulb replaced with a speedlight. Put whatever you want on the projector and have it be the background.
Click to expand...

That's an elaborate 'bodge', but that kind of thing appeals to me:).

Against the price of the 'strobo gobo' though? particularly given the size difference? Although I do recall a 'portable' OHP that had the lamp in the head and folded down to a laptop type shape.
 
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