fastshutter Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 My question is if there is a technique for mimicking natural light (windowlight) with strobes. I have a catalog photo shoot coming up for a rug companyand they are really looking for photos that have a natural look to them. Thedesigners gave me the Room and Board catalog as an example. http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=377974&cat=92 http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=378329&cat=92 I have lots of strobes at the studio but no windows so I?m kind of stuck. Anyhelp is appreciated. Thanks Kenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brooks short Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Those samples from the Room and Board catalog don't have much going on as far as simulating light from a window. I think you'll just need a simple mix of hard and soft light. I'd use a fresnel spot low, from one side and a medium or large softbox suspended overhead from the rear as a fill. Careful balancing of the intensities of these two lights should give the viewer the feel of daylight streaming cross the rug. Here's a better shot from that same catalog with a good feel of window light. http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/category.do?method=get&id=59 If you have to show an actual window as part of a room set then you'll have to either shoot on location or build a set. If you're going to build a set you can build a wall and install a window, or better yet french doors and place your hard light outside the window/door from the side and fill with an overhead softbox. A hardwood floor for showing underneath the rug is easy to build from hardwood flooring boards available from a home center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan_stiles Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Ken, there's already a post about this, only 5 (or so) before you posted this. You should lurk a little before leaping. You'll also find a helpful post about this topic in the "Lighting Themes" sub catagory. I search may be needed, but I don't think it'll be that hard to find once you are in "Lighting Themes". -Nathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 As I understand your question.. You need to build a set or a large "gobo' with a window pattern cut out in it. I'd do your main lighting with a very large top light --like a 20' x 20' scrim with your lights above that and then one or two lights shining through the window pattern to create that high lighted area. I wouldn't let your highlights go more than about 1/2 stop over the overall lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastshutter Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 Hey nathan, If I had found the answer in the other post I wouldn't have posted my own question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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