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benjikan · 11-22-2009, 06:51 AM

Beauty Shoot for "Citizen K" Magazine "How Did I Do It?"

Recently, I received an e-mail from someone who saw my image on my introduction page of my blog, asking "...how did you do it?"* I will not include what he speculated, which was actually quite close.

For those of you wishing to participate, I would like you to tell me, what you think I did.* I will eventually tell you all the technique I employed for this particular beauty story shot for "Citizen K International".

So, go ahead and tell me what your impressions are.* Post your answer on the Forum and on my Blog. That way, everyone who has participated can see all of the responses.

Thanks
Ben

http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2009/12/04/beauty-shoot-for-citizen-k-mag...w-did-i-do-it/

Attached Images

Last edited by benjikan; 12-03-2009 at 06:10 PM.

enoeske · 11-22-2009, 09:50 AM

Looks like large softbox above, reflector below, and 2 harsh strobes on either side of model from behind

alohadave · 11-22-2009, 11:03 AM

5 lights.

2 hairs lights, one on either side of the model above and to the rear.

2 rim lights, about even with the neck and to the rear and sides of the model.

1 large light overhead the model, perhaps a beauty dish or medium softbox.

a fill card below to open up the shadows.

kenyee · 11-22-2009, 11:18 AM

This is lots more fun. I love guessing lighting to practice training my eyes as long as the OP tells us what it is eventually :-)

The other two photos in your blog help (assuming the setup is exactly the same) but I can't figure out what you're using for a fill underneath (if I looked at only the first image I would have guessed the catchlights were photoshopped in). It's usually a reflector or posing table but it has a weird uneven pattern like maybe one of the trigrip reflectors.

From the other two, it looks like a beauty dish from above her face and slightly in front of her, and two snooted or gridded strobes doing rim lighting on either side. The BD is aimed so some spill happens on the background for two of the shots.

Peter Zack · 11-22-2009, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by alohadave

5 lights.

2 hairs lights, one on either side of the model above and to the rear.

2 rim lights, about even with the neck and to the rear and sides of the model.

1 large light overhead the model, perhaps a beauty dish or medium softbox.

a fill card below to open up the shadows.

Beat me to it. That was exactly what I was going to post. I would say the overhead light is heavily diffused and possibly about 10-20 degrees off the vertical axis toward the front.

**Ash** · 11-22-2009, 01:50 PM

Yep, looks like it's solved.
A fine result Ben and well arranged.

benjikan · 11-22-2009, 03:01 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Yep, looks like it's solved.
A fine result Ben and well arranged.

I'll post the technique employed, next week.

**LeoTaylor** · 11-22-2009, 07:53 PM

I know nothing about this kind of photography but I think the guesses so far missed something.

Ben used more than just lighting to achieve this image. How did he make the model look like she is a bronze sculpture rather than natural skin?

Peter Zack · 11-22-2009, 08:01 PM

I may be way off base but assume that the "look" is more post work than direct shooting. The lighting gives the effect and the PP work gives it much of the texture.

kenyee · 11-23-2009, 05:25 AM

maybe our responses aren't complete w/o the PP answer? :-)
Looks like typical skin smoothing you do in studio work (unless the model is really young and has perfect skin which is somewhat of a rarity because most have typical acne problems at 18-20), then added contrast, then a B&W conversion using probably a red filter.

ramair455 · 11-23-2009, 10:38 PM

I dont know exactly what you used, but I have lit shots like this with 3 lights and a silver chin reflector.

1- beauty dish overhead on a boom (serves as main & hair light)
2- hard edge lights high & behind (oblique) to model with barndoors or gobos
3- silver chin reflector

*isteve · 11-24-2009, 09:38 PM

Originally posted by benjikan

Benjamin Kanarek Blog Beauty Shoot for “Citizen K” Magazine “How Did I Do It?”

1 shoot through top front, 2 grids either side slightly to rear, F8 1/15s processed using wide radius USM.

benjikan · 11-25-2009, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by *isteve

1 shoot through top front, 2 grids either side slightly to rear, F8 1/15s processed using wide radius USM.

You don't count...You have already worked with me. I'll tell you what I did shortly.

PS...waiting on articles...You know

GerryL · 11-25-2009, 03:31 PM

I'm guessing he actually used less lights than what you would normally think.
Reflectors would most likely supplement the lesser number of lights.
The hair in particular has a circular highlight which you won't usually get with just a light from above as it would also highlight the upper portion (peak) of the hair.

George Lama · 11-25-2009, 07:48 PM

There's definite grain added, but it's not all photoshop. Looks like there's also some very nice make-up work involved. I would venture to say that the shadows around the eyes are definitely makeup-based, enhanced by the shadows cast by her beautiful pronounced features. Look at the darker shadows cast by her nose when compared to the silvery shadows around her eyes.

11-22-2009, 06:51 AM	#1
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Beauty Shoot for "Citizen K" Magazine "How Did I Do It?" Beauty Shoot for "Citizen K" Magazine "How Did I Do It?" Recently, I received an e-mail from someone who saw my image on my introduction page of my blog, asking "...how did you do it?"* I will not include what he speculated, which was actually quite close. For those of you wishing to participate, I would like you to tell me, what you think I did.* I will eventually tell you all the technique I employed for this particular beauty story shot for "Citizen K International". So, go ahead and tell me what your impressions are.* Post your answer on the Forum and on my Blog. That way, everyone who has participated can see all of the responses. Thanks Ben http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2009/12/04/beauty-shoot-for-citizen-k-mag...w-did-i-do-it/ Attached Images Last edited by benjikan; 12-03-2009 at 06:10 PM.

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11-22-2009, 09:50 AM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Looks like large softbox above, reflector below, and 2 harsh strobes on either side of model from behind

11-22-2009, 11:03 AM	#3
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	5 lights. 2 hairs lights, one on either side of the model above and to the rear. 2 rim lights, about even with the neck and to the rear and sides of the model. 1 large light overhead the model, perhaps a beauty dish or medium softbox. a fill card below to open up the shadows.

11-22-2009, 11:18 AM	#4
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	This is lots more fun. I love guessing lighting to practice training my eyes as long as the OP tells us what it is eventually :-) The other two photos in your blog help (assuming the setup is exactly the same) but I can't figure out what you're using for a fill underneath (if I looked at only the first image I would have guessed the catchlights were photoshopped in). It's usually a reflector or posing table but it has a weird uneven pattern like maybe one of the trigrip reflectors. From the other two, it looks like a beauty dish from above her face and slightly in front of her, and two snooted or gridded strobes doing rim lighting on either side. The BD is aimed so some spill happens on the background for two of the shots.

11-22-2009, 11:24 AM	#5
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Originally posted by alohadave 5 lights. 2 hairs lights, one on either side of the model above and to the rear. 2 rim lights, about even with the neck and to the rear and sides of the model. 1 large light overhead the model, perhaps a beauty dish or medium softbox. a fill card below to open up the shadows. Beat me to it. That was exactly what I was going to post. I would say the overhead light is heavily diffused and possibly about 10-20 degrees off the vertical axis toward the front.

11-22-2009, 01:50 PM	#6
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Yep, looks like it's solved. A fine result Ben and well arranged.

11-22-2009, 03:01 PM	#7
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ash Yep, looks like it's solved. A fine result Ben and well arranged. I'll post the technique employed, next week.

11-22-2009, 07:53 PM	#8
LeoTaylor Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 679	I know nothing about this kind of photography but I think the guesses so far missed something. Ben used more than just lighting to achieve this image. How did he make the model look like she is a bronze sculpture rather than natural skin?

11-22-2009, 08:01 PM	#9
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I may be way off base but assume that the "look" is more post work than direct shooting. The lighting gives the effect and the PP work gives it much of the texture.

11-23-2009, 05:25 AM	#10
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	maybe our responses aren't complete w/o the PP answer? :-) Looks like typical skin smoothing you do in studio work (unless the model is really young and has perfect skin which is somewhat of a rarity because most have typical acne problems at 18-20), then added contrast, then a B&W conversion using probably a red filter.

11-23-2009, 10:38 PM	#11
ramair455 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Okc Photos: Gallery Posts: 284	I dont know exactly what you used, but I have lit shots like this with 3 lights and a silver chin reflector. 1- beauty dish overhead on a boom (serves as main & hair light) 2- hard edge lights high & behind (oblique) to model with barndoors or gobos 3- silver chin reflector

11-24-2009, 09:38 PM	#12
*isteve Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 1,187	Originally posted by benjikan Benjamin Kanarek Blog Beauty Shoot for “Citizen K” Magazine “How Did I Do It?” 1 shoot through top front, 2 grids either side slightly to rear, F8 1/15s processed using wide radius USM.

11-25-2009, 11:22 AM	#13
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by *isteve 1 shoot through top front, 2 grids either side slightly to rear, F8 1/15s processed using wide radius USM. You don't count...You have already worked with me. I'll tell you what I did shortly. PS...waiting on articles...You know

11-25-2009, 03:31 PM	#14
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	I'm guessing he actually used less lights than what you would normally think. Reflectors would most likely supplement the lesser number of lights. The hair in particular has a circular highlight which you won't usually get with just a light from above as it would also highlight the upper portion (peak) of the hair.

11-25-2009, 07:48 PM	#15
George Lama Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buffalo/Rochester, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 1,133	There's definite grain added, but it's not all photoshop. Looks like there's also some very nice make-up work involved. I would venture to say that the shadows around the eyes are definitely makeup-based, enhanced by the shadows cast by her beautiful pronounced features. Look at the darker shadows cast by her nose when compared to the silvery shadows around her eyes.