While researching some low key photography and photographers I came across this american photographer. His name is Val Tourchin, he's a semi professional photographer born in Russia but now resident in the USA. Some of his work includes low light/low key images and I was particularly inspired by this part of his work.
He produces a lot of studio/model work, lowkey sport and fitness photography
He did a shoot on black Basketball players and shown here are some of the results
I love the way he has lighted this particular shot. Lighted from a side elevation he has emphasized the players face which gives the subject very good form and detail with a nice catchlight in one eye. This particular shot appeals to me, it's very interesting how much detail there is in the photograph. Lighjting this subject just from the front wouldn't have given the photograph the same impact and would not have given the same effect perhaps from using just one light source from the front.
It looks like there were two light souces used to produce this shot,one from the side and maybe just a small delicate light in front of the face as there is a catchlight evident in the model's face
I think the low key effect shown in this photo would not have been possible using a white person as the model. With the black face of the model and the perspiration on the face gives this type of shot a lovely reflection and glow from the lighting, something that could not have been possible using a white model
Shown below are some more photos of this photographers work
Click on the link below to go to this photographers website and view his images
Hi
ReplyDeleteThis is better as it includes more analysis of what you are looking at, and identifying what you can explore for yourself to add value to your work.
Please can you also add labels to all your work in a stack so both you and me can see where we are as regards criteria, this needs to be done for all blogs within the next 2 weeks.
steve
Hey there! I'm Val Tourchin. Stumbled on your blog. First, thanks for admiring my photography, and taking time to analyze my lighting.
ReplyDeleteYou are right when you saying the same lighting would not produce same result on white skin, or for that matter even on light shade of black skin.
This was my set up for this shot:
Background, 2 sides and floor draped black to prevent unwanted stray diffused light;
main light 1200 w/s at full power in 6x4 ft softbox to camera left very close to model face just outside of the frame and slightly in front;
second light 640w/s at full power with 16in silver beauty dish high above and slightly in front of model;
third 640 w/s light in 2x3 ft softbox above and to the camera left 6 ft behind model.
This is combination of super soft and somewhat hard light produces texture defining result of model's "sweat". Sweat is baby oil and drops of glycerin.
Val