Quote:
Originally Posted by Youngplayer9
Really cool video mike.
So do you basically just use layer masks to only show whatever you happened to use the strobe for during that shot?
I think I am going to try this at the theatre I work at since its so hard to shoot the inside of since its such a dark space.
Thanks YP. That's pretty much the technique in a nutshell
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freakin
Brilliant work, Mike. Love seeing your process! Thanks for posting.
If you're even in Seattle area for a shoot hit me up. I'd love to buy you a beer and watch you work.
So you're firing off frames with a remote shutter and flash is firing iwth pocket wizard or similar? Are you mainly lighting darker shadowed areas or just lighting almost everything? Do you have a gel or diffuser on teh flash or is it bare?
I notice you are lighting the plants and shrubs from behind. Any reason for that?
I'm selling my house in the spring, possibly without the help of a realtor so I'm gonna be experimenting over the next few months to see if I can get a decent exterior shot.
How many shoots do you do a week? How long before sunset do you a) set up b) start shooting?
Thanks! I'll definitely let you know if I ever head up to Seattle. Love it up there.
Yep, this is all done with Pocketwizards. I usually light shadow areas and areas where there is already light, but it's too faint for the camera to pick up. I also light areas of interest, e.g. stonework etc etc. Just more or less massaging the light that is already there into being more intense and dramatic. I also try to bring out some of the lines in the architecture by the use of light.
The reason I light the plants from behind is because I'm really just turning up the volume of the light that would spill out of the windows. By controlling the direction of the light on the trees/shrubs it's more realistic. The light has to come from somewhere - in this case, the interior lights are spilling outside and I'm just amplifying that effect with a flash.
When I lived up in Northern CA I did a couple shoots a week. I just relocated and I've got one shoot booked so far haha. It's going to take awhile to get re-established but I'm confident that this was the right move for my business. Much more opportunity for growth here.
I usually start getting setup about 90 mins before sunset. Setup consists of laptop, multiple cameras, pocketwizards, USB cables, getting all the lights turned on, both inside and outside, and managing rental equipment if needed. From there I'll shoot until it's pitch black out and the only remaining light is coming from the house. Usually a solid 90 minutes of shooting, but 2-2.5 hours if we include setup and tear down.