Lighting technique I saw in a superbowl ad this past Sunday

photo_guy74 · 02-09-2010, 12:57 PM

Hello all,

While watching the superbowl this past Sunday, there was an ad for the CBS show "Criminal Minds" that used a very impressive lighting technique that appeared to make the faces of the TV stars "glow". I am including the link in this message to the ad I am referring to:

You Tube

Does anyone have an idea how this type of effect was created? I am sure you could always adjust ISO sensitivity to get a natural look with the right lens, but this effect looks more like a glow..Any ideas?

flightless_beaker · 02-09-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by photo_guy74

Hello all,

While watching the superbowl this past Sunday, there was an ad for the CBS show "Criminal Minds" that used a very impressive lighting technique that appeared to make the faces of the TV stars "glow". I am including the link in this message to the ad I am referring to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANz_-7K7o9Q

Does anyone have an idea how this type of effect was created? I am sure you could always adjust ISO sensitivity to get a natural look with the right lens, but this effect looks more like a glow..Any ideas?

I saw that and was captivated by it. What I was assuming they used was a ring light just based on how the light reflected off their eyes. It was definitely coming from the front either way.

I personally don't like that technique though. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Worked well for the superbowl ad. But, I saw it on a commercial with children (I think for cereal) and their eyes were freaking me out.

photo_guy74 · 02-09-2010, 01:08 PM

I am still learning...what is a ring light? I am gonna see if I can Google it, but if you can elaborate, I would appreciate it.

photo_guy74 · 02-09-2010, 01:23 PM

I think this may be it..

IMG_3064_2_resized on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Gaerek · 02-09-2010, 02:24 PM

I'm going to guess it's more about the post processing than the lighting.

KmH · 02-09-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by photo_guy74

I am still learning...what is a ring light? I am gonna see if I can Google it, but if you can elaborate, I would appreciate it.

A ring light is pretty much what it sounds like, the lens is in the middle of the ring and you can see it pretty clearly, reflected in the actors eyes.

When you watch movies, look for the catchlights in the actors eyes during the closeups to see where the lights were set up for the shot.

jnm · 02-09-2010, 03:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by KmH

When you watch movies, look for the catchlights in the actors eyes during the closeups to see where the lights were set up for the shot.

movies and tv havent been the same since i started doing this and looking at the bokeh.

photo_guy74 · 02-09-2010, 05:11 PM

Thanks guys for all of the help and information. I can honestly say I learned something new today.

burnws6 · 02-09-2010, 05:13 PM

def ring light. If you wanted to add that affect with your images you would need to add a tight grid to a ring light.

photo_guy74 · 02-09-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by burnws6

def ring light. If you wanted to add that affect with your images you would need to add a tight grid to a ring light.

"Tight grid"??? What is that? Thanks in advance.

O|||||||O · 02-09-2010, 05:19 PM

Why would you have to modify the light (with a grid)? Wouldn't you get this effect without even having to do any PP as long as there was enough space behind the subject for the light to fall off?

rufus5150 · 02-09-2010, 05:22 PM

I think it's because you're getting falloff quickly on the head and on the body/shoulders. There's not a lot of spread from the light.

burnws6 · 02-09-2010, 05:27 PM

You would not get the same effect without a grid. It would give the same catchlights but it would spread light everywhere.

Oh and a grid is a light shaping tool that constricts spread of light.

photo_guy74 · 02-09-2010, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the advice. You guys are awesome!

burnws6 · 02-09-2010, 06:41 PM

If you want an awesome yet comparatively cheap ring light.... Abr800...I got it and its amazing.

02-09-2010, 02:24 PM	#5
Gaerek I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sitka, AK Posts: 780 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 83 Times in 45 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I'm going to guess it's more about the post processing than the lighting. __________________ Giving or receiving C&C? Read here first! Check out my blog! (Updated 7/7/10)

02-09-2010, 03:19 PM	#6
KmH TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 8,418 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 439 Times in 405 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by photo_guy74 I am still learning...what is a ring light? I am gonna see if I can Google it, but if you can elaborate, I would appreciate it. A ring light is pretty much what it sounds like, the lens is in the middle of the ring and you can see it pretty clearly, reflected in the actors eyes. When you watch movies, look for the catchlights in the actors eyes during the closeups to see where the lights were set up for the shot. __________________ . .Keith. . . . "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten" - Benjamin Franklin NAPP member - referral link: http://www.photoshopuser.com/?aid=luhgxq Illegitimum non carborundum

02-09-2010, 05:13 PM	#9
burnws6 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: USA Posts: 573 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts My Gallery: (0)	def ring light. If you wanted to add that affect with your images you would need to add a tight grid to a ring light. __________________ Quote: Originally Posted by PhotoXopher I'd probably blend out the camel toe, otherwise I like the shot

02-09-2010, 05:19 PM	#11
O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 6,069 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 133 Times in 120 Posts My Gallery: (4)	Why would you have to modify the light (with a grid)? Wouldn't you get this effect without even having to do any PP as long as there was enough space behind the subject for the light to fall off? __________________ -Josh Flickr Gear ... Canon stuff

02-09-2010, 05:22 PM	#12
rufus5150 TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,566 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 33 Times in 30 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I think it's because you're getting falloff quickly on the head and on the body/shoulders. There's not a lot of spread from the light. __________________ Memberships: NAPP, PPA Flickr Photostream Flickr (Project365)

02-09-2010, 01:04 PM	#2
flightless_beaker No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: USA Posts: 42 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by photo_guy74 Hello all, While watching the superbowl this past Sunday, there was an ad for the CBS show "Criminal Minds" that used a very impressive lighting technique that appeared to make the faces of the TV stars "glow". I am including the link in this message to the ad I am referring to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANz_-7K7o9Q Does anyone have an idea how this type of effect was created? I am sure you could always adjust ISO sensitivity to get a natural look with the right lens, but this effect looks more like a glow..Any ideas? I saw that and was captivated by it. What I was assuming they used was a ring light just based on how the light reflected off their eyes. It was definitely coming from the front either way. I personally don't like that technique though. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Worked well for the superbowl ad. But, I saw it on a commercial with children (I think for cereal) and their eyes were freaking me out.

02-09-2010, 01:08 PM	#3
photo_guy74 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 16 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I am still learning...what is a ring light? I am gonna see if I can Google it, but if you can elaborate, I would appreciate it.

02-09-2010, 01:23 PM	#4
photo_guy74 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 16 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I think this may be it.. IMG_3064_2_resized on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

02-09-2010, 03:39 PM	#7
jnm I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 294 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by KmH When you watch movies, look for the catchlights in the actors eyes during the closeups to see where the lights were set up for the shot. movies and tv havent been the same since i started doing this and looking at the bokeh.

02-09-2010, 05:11 PM	#8
photo_guy74 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 16 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks guys for all of the help and information. I can honestly say I learned something new today.

02-09-2010, 05:17 PM	#10
photo_guy74 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 16 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by burnws6 def ring light. If you wanted to add that affect with your images you would need to add a tight grid to a ring light. "Tight grid"??? What is that? Thanks in advance.

02-09-2010, 05:27 PM	#13
burnws6 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: USA Posts: 573 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts My Gallery: (0)	You would not get the same effect without a grid. It would give the same catchlights but it would spread light everywhere. Oh and a grid is a light shaping tool that constricts spread of light. __________________ Quote: Originally Posted by PhotoXopher I'd probably blend out the camel toe, otherwise I like the shot

02-09-2010, 06:26 PM	#14
photo_guy74 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 16 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks for the advice. You guys are awesome!

02-09-2010, 06:41 PM	#15
burnws6 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: USA Posts: 573 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts My Gallery: (0)	If you want an awesome yet comparatively cheap ring light.... Abr800...I got it and its amazing. __________________ Quote: Originally Posted by PhotoXopher I'd probably blend out the camel toe, otherwise I like the shot

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