How can I create a smooth, fanned hair effect with wind in a photo shoot?
Asked 9/11/2014
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2 answers
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I’m trying to photograph a model with long hair so it lifts and fans out evenly. I tested a leaf blower without its nozzle at different angles and power levels, but it mostly pushed the hair sideways and only lifted a few wispy strands. At higher power it also made it hard for the model to keep her eyes open.
I’ve seen people toss hair by hand and retouch the assistant out later, but I’d like to know whether there’s a better way to create this look using airflow alone. Is the issue that a leaf blower produces too narrow and harsh a stream? What kind of fan or setup works best for getting long hair to lift and spread more evenly while keeping the model comfortable?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
7
When I did a studio photoshoot, part of what was included in the basic package was a large fan unit. I suspect that a leaf blower is giving too direct a jet of air that is mainly being attenuated by the model's face (hence unable to keep eyes open) and then little kinetic energy is transferred to her hair.
The unit at the studio was a very large fan (diameter 0.5 meter approx) with controllable speed and adjustable height and angle, which gave a very powerful and even airflow. I suggest you try a different source of "wind".
Originally by user15761. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15761
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—the main issue is usually the airflow pattern. A leaf blower creates a narrow, harsh jet, so the model’s face blocks much of it and the hair only catches unevenly. For a fuller “hair fan” look, use a broad, even airflow instead.
What tends to work better:
- a large studio/wind machine or big fan with adjustable speed, height, and angle
- a broad manual airflow source, such as waving a large reflector, foam-core board, or panel
- turning the wind on only when you’re ready to shoot
For comfort and control, avoid blasting the eyes continuously. One community suggestion was placing a small shield in the center of the airstream to reduce airflow directly to the face while still moving the hair.
So the trick is less about maximum power and more about wide, even air coverage. If you can’t access a studio fan, a large waved panel can be a simple, cheap alternative.
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