Glossy Fashion Look

Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 9

I noticed that several magazine and event sites have shots that look almost like they are glossy. How can I achieve this effect with my D70 (lens, flash)? I have a sigma 28-70 that I use, but nothing I took came out this softly. Thanks for any advice.

Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 3:32 pm

Not sure I understand the question. What is "glossy" the print or the subject?

Packard

Joined: 18 Dec 2004 Posts: 661 Location: manchester, uk

^ what packard said plus you're using 2 different terms... glossy and soft?

if you could post a link to an example we could hopefully help you out.

Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 16 Location: London

If Im right you are talking about the finishe on the models skin.. Ie its nice and shiny but not because of harsh lighting.

A combination of glittery make up or oil rubbed into the models skin and either ring flash or an open head, shinny umberella or c12 inch diffussed reflector pointed strait at the model.

Go http://www.brucesmithphoto.com and look for the same image thats on my prifile.. If this is the sort of thing your talkking about, its shot with ring flash and glitter on the models skin

If this does not illustrate what you mean get back to me on this thread with an image that reflects what you mean and ill do my best to help.

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:32 am

Bruce--

I've always thought that they got that look by using a ring flash.

Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 16 Location: London

I aslways use ring flash to get it but not every photographer has one . You can rent them from Calumet.

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:56 pm

what is a ring Flash?

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:00 pm

adorski wrote:

what is a ring Flash?

A ring flash is a flash tube that encircles your lens. The light comes evenly from 360 degrees around the lens.

It is a very specular (hot, bright highlights) light source originally designed for photographing "gross specimens" for medical purposes. It casts no shadow to the left or right or above or below. There tends to be a halo shadow around the entire subject. The first time I ever saw one was on a Medical Nikor (200mm Micro lens with a built in ring flash). It creates a kind of funky lighting look that some art directors like. For portraits I think it really sucks.

If you want to see what it looks like, rent one first before you buy. They tend to be expensive.

Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 16 Location: London

I use them all the time. Its a great fashion light.

Take a look at the results I have had

http://www.brucesmithphoto.com

There are several variations you can buy/rent. I favour the pro light version which is small and can be attached to the tripod screw on the bottom of your camera which mean you can hand hold it and camera. There is a very small and not very powerful version from sunblitz used for medical photography plus a big ring thats c15 inches in diameter which needs a big tripot or studio stand to support it, I have been know to hand hold it but you need arms like a gorilla.

You need first class make up on your model......its very cruel....

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:05 am

I looked at your website. The first shot on the opening page appears to be shot with a ring light and has the signature "halo" shadow that I find objectionable in portrait work.

As I said, many art directors like this look; I don't.

Also, ring lights were traditionally mounted to encircle the lens. If you are holding it off to the side it is not functioning as a ring light is it?

By the way, VERY nice work in your website.

Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 16 Location: London

Hi

No I dont use it off camera. I meant I attach it as normal to the front of my lens. I dont like being restricted by being on a tripod at the besat of times even when shooting with a big ring flash. I will get my assistant to hold a stand like a boom arm and move with me when shooting or even hand hold camera and ring flash. Tiring but if it gets the image I want im prepared to suffer a bit.

Regards

Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Pennsylvania

Nice images bruce. I'll bookmark that.

I shot this one for a British cosmetic company earlier this year:

http://www.deviantart.com/view/20326260/

And I used a reflector down and in front to bounce natural light onto her face, upped the EV a third and underexposed to get that look. I dunno how to do it correctly.

I'm a boy scout at heart.

Cheers.

Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

I have a makeup artists perspective on this also, most of the time when the skin looks glossy/wet/shiney its because of the makeup artist.

Depending on the level of glossyness you are after, you can use various things. Dry baby oil gives a very soft effect, baby oil it quite shiney, spray baby oil with water and the skin will look almost plastic, glycerine also gives a plastic appearance etc etc

The above effects coupled with ring flash will give a really glossy look. I have found that you have to be really careful on how much shine you use on the skin with ringflash though, too much shine and you will end up with big white hot spots all over the place!

Lucy
www.ukmakeupartist.co.uk

PS: You should all check out Bruces courses! I work on them in the UK/Europe and they are very motivational and inspiring! You will learn a lot!

Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 59

wow i may have to rent one to try it out...