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How I Did That? : BASS PUNKS International Photoshoot.
Nazkimo from BASS PUNKS International
Pre-visualization
Before any shoot I always try to visualize how the end product is going to look like, and its a good thing if you have a concept. Why? because if you already know what you’re going for, the mood and everything will be limited to that concept, this will actually guide you so that you wont go too far off. My concept sounds simple on paper ( As I thought it was ), these guys are from BASS PUNKS International, a band of 9 DJs in one. I have come up with a light trail portrait like this, but it wasn’t all that easy. The main boundaries I have to know that, I’m not photographing one people, but I’m actually photographing eight others as well. Second, you know how people try to do light trails right? But in how many of your shots do you get like the perfect shape? Thats another challenge I have to face. So my solution is simple, I’ll do the portrait and light trails in a separate exposure then later combine them in Photoshop so I have higher chances of making good looking picture.
The Lighting Setup
This lighting setup require, 3 flash, a couple of colored sugar papers, a boom stand, and a large softbox. As demonstrated in the diagram, the main flash (A) will be equipped with the large soft box positioned at a slight 45 degrees from above ( using the Boom Stand ) to give it a more frontal light. You don’t want it to get too low, or else the light will be flat, too high then the shadows would appear on the eyes ( Or I call it Spooky light heh-heh ). Shadow placement is important too. The other two flashes are for the rim lights (B) & (C), will be positioned one both sides of the subject. Use a standard reflector that comes with the flash, and cover them with a red and blue sugar papers.
Post Processing
After I’m done taking my light trail samples, I’ll just merge photograph (Portrait) and (Light trails) into one. The black background saves me time to cut out all the curvy trails by just changing the Blending method to Screen. Make small adjustments, histograms, saturation and contrast. Dodge and burn to pop the highlights and shadows. Finally make a custom sharpening. Done!
