How to light this

markyboy.1967

markyboy.1967

Suspended / Banned
Messages
8,171
Name
Mark Molloy
Edit My Images
Yes
I have been asked by a friends wife if i can take some pics of some hair fascinators that she is making as she want to build a web site at some point in the near future and run as a little hobby for herself whilst she is on maternity leave.

The hair fascinators that she makes have feather etc but also does loads with crystals over them.I feel i dont have experiece with this side of photography but i have agreed to give it a go non the less to try and keep her costs down.

She will be getting a few friends of hers to model the fascinators so it will be allot of swapping and changing and i would like to keep up and do the best i can for her.

What im worried about is lightin the crystals more than anything else as she believes that they will help seperate her parts from others..

I only have the Lencarta 2 light set up with a large octabox, a few umbrellas and a black and a white background. I have a few gels if she wants a bit of colour but that would mean working with 1 light only so im hoping it can be done like that. I also have a pair of Nikon speedlights if required ( SB900 and an SB910).

How should i procede in lighting the fascinators with crystals?
 
What the hell are ...

Never mind, can you just post a pic of what they look like?
 
Does anyone actually buy these things?:shake:
My starting point would be to light for the person - either a large-ish softbox or a beauty dish (depending on the quality of the makeup/complexion/facial shape in the beauty dish position, high and directly above where the face is pointing.

Now add a hairlight to catch the gizmo thingy, probably a fairly subtle one.
Shoot against a dark or grey background to avoid fine detail in the feathers etc being destroyed by a white background.
 
You know how jewellery always sparkles in the shop? It's the multiple small spotlights in the ceiling.

Just thinking out loud here, but maybe your hot-shoe guns would be good for that effect. Maybe a snoot, putting just a small pool of hard light on the fascinator, with the rest of the subject a little darker, might work well to emphasise the facsinator?

You never been to Ascot Garry? :eek:
 
HoppyUK said:
You know how jewellery always sparkles in the shop? It's the multiple small spotlights in the ceiling.

Just thinking out loud here, but maybe your hot-shoe guns would be good for that effect. Maybe a snoot, putting just a small pool of hard light on the fascinator, with the rest of the subject a little darker, might work well to emphasise the facsinator?
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I meant when I mentioned a hairlight

HoppyUK said:
You never been to Ascot Garry? :eek:
Click to expand...
No, too much self respect:lol:

I've seen loads of them, just didn't know what they were called. They can look good on 5 year olds, dressing up...
 
Garry Edwards said:
That's exactly what I meant when I mentioned a hairlight

No, too much self respect:lol:

I've seen loads of them, just didn't know what they were called. They can look good on 5 year olds, dressing up...
Click to expand...

Never knew myself until she brought one out that she had made and it was very very good quality..I think she want to get this off the ground so will wait to see over the next few weeks.Thanks folks this has given me some thoughts.:thumbs:
 
For stuff like that, a really attractive model works wonders :thumbs:
 
HoppyUK said:
For stuff like that, a really attractive model works wonders :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I dont think thats going to happen-i dont have that type of good luck.Been looking at a few sites selling them and most are just feathers etc where several of hers have swarovski crystals. Some sites use models, some just on stands and others on mannequins--just need her to decide what sort of image she likes best.
 
Mark, I would suggest a shot of it on the model with a clean product shot also. From some of these type of things at weddings, you ned to watch the quality of the "crystals", some of them up close look like cheap tat !
If you need to borrow a couple of lights, modifiers, california sunbounce give me a shout.
 
testbloke said:
Mark, I would suggest a shot of it on the model with a clean product shot also. From some of these type of things at weddings, you ned to watch the quality of the "crystals", some of them up close look like cheap tat !
If you need to borrow a couple of lights, modifiers, california sunbounce give me a shout.
Click to expand...

Cheers Kevin...One of the things i dont want to do is to make it look cheap due to lighting it incorrectly as i believe she is going for the higher end and only selling a few as its basically a hobby for her just now.
 
testbloke said:
From some of these type of things at weddings, you ned to watch the quality of the "crystals", some of them up close look like cheap tat !
Click to expand...

Friends in the trade tell me that's the difference between "genuine Swarovski" and the cheaper one.

Whack enough hot glue on and they are pretty much the same...
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Cheers Kevin...One of the things i dont want to do is to make it look cheap due to lighting it incorrectly as i believe she is going for the higher end and only selling a few as its basically a hobby for her just now.
Click to expand...

Your big problem here will be your 'client'
Lighting it is actually going to be very easy, and under your control.
Posing the model will be easy too, assuming that the model is actually a working model...
But your problem is very likely to be the fact that she is only doing it as a hobby and probably isn't prepared to invest in a good model and may even think that she can get her mates to be models:'(. Without the right model, it is doomed to failure.
Some sites use models, some just on stands and others on mannequins--just need her to decide what sort of image she likes best.
Click to expand...
That's any easy choice. When people buy these things (for whatever reason:)) they want to look good, perching them on top of a display stand or a mannequin does nothing other than illustrate what they look like. If she wants to actually sell them then they need to be displayed on the right kind of model, so that the potential customers can identify with that model. It's a no brainer.
 
Garry Edwards said:
That's any easy choice. When people buy these things (for whatever reason:)) they want to look good, perching them on top of a display stand or a mannequin does nothing other than illustrate what they look like. If she wants to actually sell them then they need to be displayed on the right kind of model, so that the potential customers can identify with that model. It's a no brainer.
Click to expand...

You're right. These people know nothing.

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Top-5-Fascinators-Future-Features-Your-MS/b/829918031

http://www.johnlewis.com/Women/All+...inators/Fascinators/5544/ProductCategory.aspx

Amateurs :D
 
HoppyUK said:
For stuff like that, a really attractive model works wonders :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Edit: the marketing trick is actually the 'right' model - one that the buyer can relate to, and that might not be a 20-something stunna. Prolly the girl making them can advise.

The world is full of fabulous models. You just need a bit of courage and the right approach.
 
Garry Edwards said:
There's no need to be sarcastic. Retailers have different priorities and don't care which product people buy, as long as they buy.
Click to expand...

Maybe so. But to suggest there's only one way to do this and that it's a "no brainer" is a little courageous.

Many of the top jewellery suppliers are using static shots on white right now for some very good reasons. Blend in or stand out but it would be unwise not to look at their options. M&S and JL spend far more figuring stuff like this out than any small brand can afford to.

A quick look on Not On the High Street will give some options - interestingly they dropped a catalogue through my door at the weekend and I don't remember seeing a single piece of jewellery being worn in it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top