My daughter just asked me to take photos of her friends for the prom on Saturday, as a pre-prom activity. The theme for the prom is 'Casablanca.'
I have been looking at some of the classic shots of Bogart and Bergman, as a couple, and was hoping to replicate that in some way. There are some poses on movie posters that I am thinking of.
I will be looking for props, like trench coats, hats, scarves, etc. at the thrift store. The 1940's North African setting needs something else too.
I know you guys are a wealth of information and hope that you could help out with ideas, lighting set ups, etc. I would not consider myself a professional, but certainly not a novice. I have four Elinchrom strobes that I could use. Haven't done a lot with gobos, but seems like many of the pictures from the movie use them.
Sounds like your research is taking you in the right direction. So, FWIW, four strobes is plenty for a bit of film noir. As often you'll only need two, one hard light from the side on the foreground and one hard light through a gobo frame casting hard shadows on the background. In a wide exterior shot, you'll want an extra one lighting the far background.
Try making your own gobos rather than buying them and get some good practice with them. What's difficult to judge first up is the relative size of gobo you need with what size of light and the distance you need to place the gobo both from the light and from the surface you want to hit.
As for finding the right set, just shoot at night and have mostly black in the frame.
Use a little black diffusion for the guys and the most expensive French (Chanel) silk stocking over the lens for the girls.
I may have to darken the room, as it will be in the afternoon. I noticed the very harsh light, but I also noted there is a fair amount of kick/back light. I assume that would be for rim lighting of hair/shoulders of the ladies.
Mar 27, 2008 at 06:20 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
liamh wrote:
Sounds like your research is taking you in the right direction. So, FWIW, four strobes is plenty for a bit of film noir. As often you'll only need two, one hard light from the side on the foreground and one hard light through a gobo frame casting hard shadows on the background. In a wide exterior shot, you'll want an extra one lighting the far background.
Try making your own gobos rather than buying them and get some good practice with them. What's difficult to judge first up is the relative size of gobo you need with what size of light and the distance you need to place the gobo both from the light and from the surface you want to hit.
As for finding the right set, just shoot at night and have mostly black in the frame.
Use a little black diffusion for the guys and the most expensive French (Chanel) silk stocking over the lens for the girls....Show more →
