backlighting question

[payleyjean]

Hi all! First of all, this site is so great! Such a wealth of information. Second, I have a question that involves this photo:

soareesphilosophy.blog.com/2010/01/14/we-are-all-princesses/
(first photo in the entry)

I know this is fancy cinema lighting, but can anyone give me an idea of some way to recreate this really warm backlighting effect (lighting equipment needed)?

I don't currently have any lighting equipment, but I'm looking to invest.

I just love how the light shows all the way down to the subjects.

Thanks so much for your time! It's greatly appreciated!

 

[Big Mike]

It's not too complicated. As you know, it's just back-lighting.

To get a similar look, there has to be very little light on the front side of the subjects...or at least, very little in comparison to the amount from the back-light.
Also notice that the back-light is a narrow beam, so it's only lighting the area around them. This isn't essential for the light that is on the subjects, but it may be important for the overall shot...that's up to you.

Also in this case, we can 'see' the beam of light...or rather, we can see the light reflecting off of stuff in the air, giving shape to the beam of light. Could be dust/fog etc.

 

[payleyjean]

Thank you so much for the good info! What kind of light would you recommend?

 

[Big Mike]

That's a loaded question. You could create this type of shot with just about any type of lighting....but I'm sure you'll be doing more than just this.

So what type of thing do you plan to be shooting with your lighting gear? People or other? Are you going to be working in a studio? Outdoors or both?
What's your budget?

 

[payleyjean]

Yeah haha sorry about that. I actually prefer using natural light for everything else, so I'll only be using the light to recreate the backlighting like in that photo. So I'm definitely not in the market for a whole kit. I'd be using it outdoors and my subjects would be people. I want to get a boom stand, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what kind of light to get (to get that warm look). I guess I'm trying to figure out if I need gels, any sort of diffuser or softbox or what size lamp I should get. I'm just really lost with that since I have no experience in artificial lighting and I couldn't seem to find the answer I need anywhere. There's so much info on back lighting online, but I couldn't find any info that was really similar to what I want to recreate.

I do know that I'd like continuous light and I have portable power.

As far as budget goes, I'd be willing to spend up to $400, but I'd really rather find something around $200 or less.

I really do appreciate it!

 

[Big Mike]

I'd think that you could use a regular hot-shot type flash and trigger it with a wireless radio remote. If you want the light to be warmer than the ambient light, then you would use a gel on it. If you just want a warm looking photo, you could just do that in post.

Many flash units have a zoom head, which you could use to help keep the light as a beam in one specific area, but you could also make a snoot or grid for it, pretty easily.

Here is an example of a kit that would have most of the stuff you'd need.
Strobist Starving Student SC1 Lighting Kit

If you want to place the light high above, you would probably want a taller light stand and/or a boom stand. You can also get pretty creative and mount a flash to anything that is handy. You could use something like a Gorilla Pod or a Super Clamp with Magic Arm.

 

[payleyjean]

That kit looks pretty perfect! Again, thanks for the great advice!

 

[dnavarrojr]

For continuous lighting, don't underestimate the inexpensive...

Designers Edge 8.5 in. Incandescent Clamp Light - E-245 at The Home Depot

I addition to my regular "studio light kit", I have a couple dozen cheap clamp lights I picked up at Walmart for $7 to $10 each. And you can even get some cheap diffuser covers for them to soften and spread the light more evenly:

 

[payleyjean]

Oh thank you so much! It's easy to forget the cheap easy stuff! I need to try that out.

 

[tallbootsphoto]

I knew trolling through old forums would answer my question, thanks Big Mike!

The place where I work is looking to bring corporate portraits in house and I volunteered to comandeer the set-up. The problem is, I know we don't have the budget that I used to build my studio...but this kit looks like it will fit the bill entirely.

One follow-up question...the portrait studio will be in one place permanently (we won't go on location). Has anyone used this and can attest to the hopefully somewhat sturdy build?