How do I light this?

[Melody]

I love trying new stuff, however I'd love to have much more of a clue on how to start since it's a paying client.

Can you tell me how to light this?

The client has a friend with somewhat of a mini-mansion I guess that is available for us to use.....

The pool shot here is the one she's found and wants to try and duplicate...

It looks to me as though that is a grey or black bottom pool, I've already advised that the color of the pool will make a difference. (my own personal pool is dark plaster however we are NOT going there LOL).

I've got the profoto's... two monolights, and the acute 2400 d4 heads 2,
a 2x3, a 3x4, and a 4x6 softbox, two c-stands, normal light stands, however no bloom, although the c-stands do have the arms so I can lean things over a bit...

Power isn't an issue with it being a residence thank goodness!

Any advise?? well other then to keep my lights out of the water!!:woot:

[Tom V]

It looks to me like it's done with a rather small light source. The amount of light on the near side of her face makes it look like a very small light and/or a bit farther away than the subject. I don't think the light is right over her. I would say the light is to the left a bit, aiming at her belly,and probably on a stand on the far side of the pool. It might be done with a dish reflector.

[easternherp]

I would agree with Tom, looks like they have tried to create the light as though it is a ray of sunlight.

[Melody]

Thank you!!

I don't have a beauty dish, however I could rent one easy enough I'd guess.

She called today I told her $350.00 session fee cause I know it will take me a few hours for the location set up, after hours, etc. We will see how much she wants that image or if she'll go for standard maternity in studio.

Melody

[Tom V]

I don't think the light source is as broad as a beauty dish. There doesn't look like there is a lot of spill light going all over. It's pretty focused - almost a spot light. It makes me think there is NO diffusion on the light source. The shadows on her nose, and the sharpness of shadows on her leg make me think it's a fairly raw direct light. It might even be controlled with a snoot, barndoors or a grid on a 7" or 11" dish.

[Camarochas]

Besides coming from above and slightly to tle left I believe there is also light coming at a low angle from the right (her belly is well lit on the right). I also believe there is some frontal fill as the side of her face is not in deep shadow although it could also be reflected from the water surface.

Charlie

[Melody]

Thank you guys :)

I quoted her a session fee for this thing pretty reasonable considering the amount of gear I'd have to haul out there of $350 otherwise it's just not worth my time, I haven't heard back and it's been a day so you never know...

However now it's got me sort of intrigued...

I could use the barn doors... it does look like something sort of from the front, her hand under the water is visable, and yet under her chin is really in shadow too, let's just throw in that variable of at night and water reflections on top of this thing LOL!!

You know once I have the time, just doing a few more things to upgrade the studio and when it's done... I think I might get the raft out, put a few pillows or something on it, then try it at my own pool which is dark ... hmm... now I'd have to anchor the raft somehow so the darn thing didn't float around on me... hahahaa can you see telling your subject now float back over you've moved out of the light again!! LOL!!!!

Oh yeah and I'd have to shut the dogs in the house if they got excited and knocked my lights in the pool you'd hear me from way out here!

Melody