How should I light a model outdoors with a fog machine behind them?
Asked 10/11/2015
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I’m shooting outdoors with a fog machine behind the model and two strobes. My goal is to light the fog blue with a gelled strobe behind the model, while using a second strobe to properly light the model from the front.
I’m concerned that the front light might wash out or flatten the fog effect. What’s the best way to place the lights, and is there a useful starting point for balancing the background fog light versus the key light on the subject? Also, is it usually better to place the fog light directly behind the fog or to side-light it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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I can provide some answer to this question based on experience, but this type of photography nearly always requires test shots first and a light meter to get the correct effect. As for ratios, I am not really sure if there are any as I generally expose for the background first which is always dependent on the look I am trying to create and then meter for the subject.
I used a smoke machine and found that the strobe worked best directly behind the smoke and not from the side. The front end of the image covered about 6ft across and the rear approximately 25ft-30ft across and the distance behind the model where the smoke machine pumped out the smoke, was about 10-15ft and the strobe with a gel was about a further 10-15ft back. The model was lit in a controlled manner at a 45deg with an octabox where light fell off pretty much straight off the model and therefore, did not effect the smoke colour. I set the camera for the ambient settings first with 2 stops under for the mood I was creating and then metered the softbox for the model.
More details: I used full power on the strobe behind the smoke and set it to its widest. It gave it the widest and maximum coverage. I did not use a grid. The model from what I recall was set at 1/16th, it was whatever the meter reading was at the time to ensure that the background did not change but the model was correctly exposed.
Originally by user34085. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user34085
10y ago
0
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A good starting approach is to build the shot in layers: expose and light the fog/background first for the look you want, then add the light for the model and meter that separately.
There isn’t a fixed lighting ratio that always works here, because the result depends heavily on fog density, ambient light, distance, and the exact look you want. Expect to take test shots and adjust.
From practical experience, lighting the fog with the gelled strobe from behind the fog tends to work better than side-lighting it. A common setup is:
- fog machine 10–15 ft behind the model
- gelled strobe another 10–15 ft behind the fog
- key light on the model from about a 45° angle, kept controlled so it mainly lights the subject
The main thing is to prevent the front light from spilling into the fog too much, since that can weaken the colored background effect. Use controlled, directional light on the subject and refine with test shots.
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