Reproducing Vanity Cover?

[Michael_Lambert]

Hey guys,

I was approached by a friend of the family and she was looking to have a shot done that reproduces this months Vanity fair cover.

Just wondering what kind of lighting setup would be best to shoot this. I have a single AB800 with soft box or umbrella. I also can shoot with my 580EXII as slave for a second light if needed again into an umbrella if needed.

Here is a link to the cover shot at Vanity Fair.

[harroz]

Looks to me that it is pretty natural, there is a mirror behind her which shows the window to be on the camera left, from there I am unsure, but it also looks like there is a window behind her and to the right out of the picture, hard to tell but there is light reflection on the table and floor, it could be a light. Then a softbox or umbrella would be above camera for fill if needed, but it really doesn't look like one has been used. So you would have to find the right place to shoot it first I think, then use your umbrella as fill.

I started writing this an hour ago, then came back to it so you might have 10 replies by now

[Coastwatch203]

I would use your AB800 camera left, - tweaking it's power to get the right shadow effect and a soft natural looking output.

As Harroz said, natural light plays a big role for this shot.

If you have a similar window set up you can use, Id try test shooting at say 1/125th sec with an apature to suit the AB800 output, and at around 400 ISO initially, - for the ambient.

Id do things one by one Mike...

1. A few test shots to just set the apature for the AB800. Then leave it.
2. then a couple more shots to reflect some fill onto the left side of her face, and get that looking right.
3. then a couple more shots to adjust the ISO & shutter speed to best "blend in" the ambient.

For a shot like this, it would help lots if you shoot tethered to your laptop.

(do you have a light meter? it would get you into the ball park sooner)

Love to see how you go with this Mike
- regards, Mark

[Grace]

I'll be trying this shot Saturday as well!!! I'll let you know (show you) how it goes!

[Mark_Cohran]

Good luck to both of you. Can't wait to see the results.

[Michael_Lambert]

Okay,

got her permission to post so i did ... here it is...

[harroz]

Michael, I took a look. I was a little surprised actually. I thought you wanted to replicate the image so I was surprised to see a white backdrop. It looks now like what you have tried to replicate is the pose and clothes which you have got close.... obviously not everyone has a long white jacket etc. With the version you have done being on white it might have looked better with more dramatic lighting, i think your image could have been quite exceptional with your 1 ab up high and camera right. very simple but very effective and more dramatic.

I hope this helps.

[RichSoansPhotos]

Originally Posted by Michael_Lambert

Hey guys,

I was approached by a friend of the family and she was looking to have a shot done that reproduces this months Vanity fair cover.

Just wondering what kind of lighting setup would be best to shoot this. I have a single AB800 with soft box or umbrella. I also can shoot with my 580EXII as slave for a second light if needed again into an umbrella if needed.

Here is a link to the cover shot at Vanity Fair.

I would assume that they are using softbox or two for the photoshoot, as you can see some of the light on her skin, also, the room is well lit for that good depth of field when using the aperture at big value

Not to be fazed by them doing the shoot, I would suggest searching for the best bargains for the softboxes, and to get your lighting right for the best dof