Faking window light?

[fastshutter]

My question is if there is a technique for mimicking natural light (window

light) with strobes. I have a catalog photo shoot coming up for a rug company

and they are really looking for photos that have a natural look to them. The

designers 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. Any

help is appreciated.

 

Thanks Kenny

[brooks short]

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.

[nathan_stiles]

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

[ellis_vener_photography]

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.

[fastshutter]

Hey nathan, If I had found the answer in the other post I wouldn't have posted my own question.