Model in front of stained glass window

I'm going to be shooting a fabulous model in front of a backlit stained glass window. Any suggestion on lighting. Expose for the window and fill with a softbox? What size and shape softbox?

KatManDEW wrote in post #18385614
I'm going to be shooting a fabulous model in front of a backlit stained glass window. Any suggestion on lighting. Expose for the window and fill with a softbox? What size and shape softbox?

Yes, expose for the window with camera settings, and expose for the model with flash.

As far as size and shape, that entirely depends on the style/look you're going for.
Is it a soft boudoir-style look? Use the biggest softbox you can get your hands on.
Is it an edgy punk look? A small modifier, or even a hard source like a dish reflector, might get you an interesting look.

Side note that you didn't ask for: If this is in a church or historic building, be mindful of the floors. Wrap the feet of your lightstands with a heavy cloth or felt, or cut slots in tennis balls and use those as bumpers on the feet of your stands.

nathancarter wrote in post #18387346
Yes, expose for the window with camera settings, and expose for the model with flash.

As far as size and shape, that entirely depends on the style/look you're going for.
Is it a soft boudoir-style look? Use the biggest softbox you can get your hands on.
Is it an edgy punk look? A small modifier, or even a hard source like a dish reflector, might get you an interesting look.

Side note that you didn't ask for: If this is in a church or historic building, be mindful of the floors. Wrap the feet of your lightstands with a heavy cloth or felt, or cut slots in tennis balls and use those as bumpers on the feet of your stands.

Thank you so very much. I'm after a soft look, but I was worried about flash spill over onto the background (the stained glass window).

Thanks again!

KatManDEW wrote in post #18387472
Thank you so very much. I'm after a soft look, but I was worried about flash spill over onto the background (the stained glass window).

Thanks again!

Two things, then - both equally important.
1. Put some distance between the model and the window. Don't have her back up against the glass like a mugshot. The ratio of distance from background, to model, to light source, will determine how much the flash affects the model compared to how much the flash affects the background.

2. Glass is reflective. The frame and wall may also be reflective (shiny metal or polished wood). The light source might reflect from the glass/wall back to the camera.
To solve this, consider and adjust the positioning of the light and the camera, relative to the wall. If you're shooting square-on to the glass (camera lens perpendicular to glass), you'll have to have the light off to one side, or far above, so that the reflection in the glass is not seen by the camera.

nathancarter wrote in post #18388025
Two things, then - both equally important.
1. Put some distance between the model and the window. Don't have her back up against the glass like a mugshot. The ratio of distance from background, to model, to light source, will determine how much the flash affects the model compared to how much the flash affects the background.

2. Glass is reflective. The frame and wall may also be reflective (shiny metal or polished wood). The light source might reflect from the glass/wall back to the camera.
To solve this, consider and adjust the positioning of the light and the camera, relative to the wall. If you're shooting square-on to the glass (camera lens perpendicular to glass), you'll have to have the light off to one side, or far above, so that the reflection in the glass is not seen by the camera.

That all makes sense. Thank you so very much! I will post a photo from there to show you what I came up with.

Thanks again!

I am always interested in these topics, learning every day.