Shooting with the Westcott Optical Spot

Eyvind Ness
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Shooting with the Westcott Optical Spot

From a recent shoot where I tested out the Westcott Optical Spot. Nice gear, but you really need a light with a powerful modelling light, to be able to focus the selected pattern (aka Gobo). My Profoto B1s were a bit lacking in that respect, leaving me experimenting using test shots. A lot of them came out OK anyway, though.

Jul 06, 2022 at 03:09 PM

rico
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Shooting with the Westcott Optical Spot

Excellent results from that modifier! I can see how a stronger modelling light is beneficial given the live subject.

Jul 06, 2022 at 03:19 PM

Gozo1
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Shooting with the Westcott Optical Spot

Very nice images, indeed! I picked this modifier up a few months ago but have only used it for one shoot so far. Used it with a Broncolor Siros S which has a 300w tungsten modeling lamp and worked well. I don’t know if you’ve thought about making your own gobos, but I’ll share something that worked well for me. I purchased some 2.5 inch clear acrylic discs on Amazon (like 10 bucks for 30) and some black adhesive material for a Cricut machine (available at craft stores). I have a friend with a Cricut machine and she was kind enough to cut out some discs for me a little smaller than the acrylic material. I then used an exacto knife to cut out some patterns and then apply it to the acrylic. Worked great. (the machine is not absolutely necessary as you could cut them out with scissors, the the cut from the machine is perfect). Easy customized gobos for the optical spot. Just thought I’d throw that out.

Jul 06, 2022 at 06:42 PM

johnvanr
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Shooting with the Westcott Optical Spot

I like those shots, but I’m not sure what the role of the optical spot is in them. Can you explain?

Jul 06, 2022 at 07:22 PM

Eyvind Ness
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Shooting with the Westcott Optical Spot

johnvanr wrote:
I like those shots, but I’m not sure what the role of the optical spot is in them. Can you explain?

The spot makes the hight/shadows pattern, via the so-called gobos provided. It works in the way an old fashion slide projector did, before digital.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1659192-REG/westcott_4760p_optical_spot_by_lindsay.html

there is a product video there by Lindsey Adler that explains a bit more

Jul 07, 2022 at 12:30 AM

Eyvind Ness
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Shooting with the Westcott Optical Spot

A couple more shots with the optical spot from a new shoot I had the other day. Now mixing it with 2 more lights (strip boxes left and right). R5 + RF 28-70 f2, using 3 Profoto B1s.

Jul 24, 2022 at 07:19 AM


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