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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photography Equipment => Lighting => Topic started by: leaf on January 14, 2013, 05:48

Title: Lighting Michael Phelps
Post by: leaf on January 14, 2013, 05:48
For those who don't follow the strobist blog, they had an interesting post today with a video af Greg Heisler talking about lighting a Michael Phelps image.  It's worth the 4 minutes it takes to watch.

Master Series: Greg Heisler and Michael Phelps for Time Magazine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsqWP5hxQiM#ws)
Strobist post: http://strobist.blogspot.no/2013/01/greg-heisler-will-now-bts-for-you-my.html (http://strobist.blogspot.no/2013/01/greg-heisler-will-now-bts-for-you-my.html)
Title: Re: Lighting Michael Phelps
Post by: rubyroo on January 14, 2013, 06:00
Very interesting, thanks!  I can't say I like the final result, but the process he went through was good to hear.  It's good to be reminded that it's really about doing whatever it takes - even if that means building your own tools.  I go through phases of doing that myself.

I would have been interested to see what the result would have been if he'd used a diffusing material that could be crinkled up (I've never tried that) - or used some bounce light via crinkled surfaces.  I'd have thought that would have given more of a rippled water light effect on the skin.

REALLY made me laugh when he said 'a week at F11'.  LOL!  I'm sure we've all had that feeling!
Title: Re: Lighting Michael Phelps
Post by: Perry on January 14, 2013, 07:32
I think I could have made this shot in 10% of the time and 3% of money they used here.
Title: Re: Lighting Michael Phelps
Post by: rubyroo on January 14, 2013, 07:35
What?  You mean just shoot it in a pool?  What sort of fun is that?  ;)
Title: Re: Lighting Michael Phelps
Post by: click_click on January 14, 2013, 07:46
Can't TIME magazine not just purchase an exclusive RM shot of Phelps in action instead of trying to re-create him standing next to the pool?

The lighting in this photo is more appropriate for a movie poster for the next Indiana Jones flick.

I do have respect for both men but I'm sure someone else could have done better...
Title: Re: Lighting Michael Phelps
Post by: Perry on January 14, 2013, 07:47
What?  You mean just shoot it in a pool?  What sort of fun is that?  ;)

I would have shot it in studio, but I would have known how to light it in a similar fashion without testing (I'm not very impressed by the results). I would have also shot it in medium format digital with a tilt lens, no need for 8x10" here.

Renting a real pool would also have been an option, I have no clue why they would have wanted to shoot the image using a particular pool.
Title: Re: Lighting Michael Phelps
Post by: Mantis on January 14, 2013, 08:19
Interesting and informative.  Thanks for sharing.