Lighting test pics.... update

Your background is lit by the same light as your key. Thus it looks flat and "sourcy". Flag it. Maybe flag it on an angle so it looks like a lamp shade shadow. Then add a second unit (maybe gel it blue) to light the background. And sure, a tiny bit of edge wuldn't hurt for a little more seperation.
 
jonnyh1968 said:
Your background is lit by the same light as your key. Thus it looks flat and "sourcy". Flag it. Maybe flag it on an angle so it looks like a lamp shade shadow. Then add a second unit (maybe gel it blue) to light the background. And sure, a tiny bit of edge wuldn't hurt for a little more seperation.

I tend to disagree a little, but thats why this is a forum. Just my opinion.

The flag idea is good but I would still use three lights.

One for even dispersed moon - this is the light I would flag if in fact it could create some visible shadowy texture in the shot. Could be China balls as malcom suggested.

One to add some texture to the wall

One (something like a 200 fresnel) coming from the side (practical side) to bring up the talent.
 
Im no expert either, but you could change the motivation for your background light from moonlight to a computer screen(or TV but it flickers). Or use a combination of both the moonlight and the screen. But you still will have to bring down the intensity of the background light maybe using a dimmer then gel accordingly or moving the light further back if you got the room. Then flag or use barndoors and make a streak of light. It might work, what do yal think?
 
Hmmm. I guess I missed page two when i wrote my post. I didn't see your 2nd attempt. But it seems your on the right path. Right - with the moonlight more even and flagged in a way that it looks as though its coming through a window or sometin... Noel, pleae explain your third light - add texture to the wall - a bit more if you coud. You mean a small unit raking the tiny paint bumps? what kind of light and positioned where? thanks.
 
ncje said:
I tend to disagree a little, but thats why this is a forum. Just my opinion.

The flag idea is good but I would still use three lights.

One for even dispersed moon - this is the light I would flag if in fact it could create some visible shadowy texture in the shot. Position (of course I cant see the actual room, but maybe high and right in the rear).

- The flag would be used to create some shade in the texture before the wall.

One to add some texture to the wall . Position (once again dont know the room layout - but right of the soft source.

- Probably an open face tungsten shootin through a cookie, something to give shadow. But you want to adjust this so it appears the shadows are coming from the direction of the light source so window. Need to get the angle right.

One (something like a 200 fresnel) coming from the side (practical side) to bring up the talent. Position to the right where the practical light source may come from but higher.

Johnny see quote above, adjusted a little. This is all just guessing based on what I know about the room which isnt much.
 
this is getting interesting. ok Noel... more about this 2nd light... (open face through cookie). So this light essentially is there to add hard shadows to the existing soft blue moonlight? I'm confused as to the motivation? Would not light #1 be the only source of moonlight? Is light two projecting above the shadow line of light 1 or something? Light 2 is (more) moonlight right?

Interesting because this is an area that I need help with - lighting backgrounds.
 
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