Halloween Lighting Effects

Monday, October 22, 2018

I decided to check out another Canon workshop. This one is about creating lighting effects for Halloween. Photographer Ian Spanier demonstrated using different lights in photo shoots with his model, Alicia.

Before you start, you will need to research for your theme. Look for certain images on the internet and magazines for inspiration. It will also help for storytelling. You will need highlight, key light, creating shadows, and dissecting images.

Alfred Hitchcock movies are great example of using one light with dramatic effects.

Also consider fog, smog, moonlight, and window with sheer curtain to create diffused light on the subject.

(I took a snapshot of the moon, but my calendar notes that the full moon is on October 24th).

Modifiers include grids, diffused umbrellas, octabanks, strip banks, gels, candles, and Home Depot lighting.

Demos with model and light strobes in photo shoot.

• Dramatic Shadows: light from the left, and shadow on the right side behind subject.
• Use grid on small strobe, and then place the strobe on the floor to assimilate candlelight.
• Model holds light strobe, which lights her face from bottom left.
• Uses 2 lights
• It is important to understand what your client wants so you can create the look that best fits the client’s needs.
• Use 7-foot umbrella: the model is wearing an all-black outfit with a black lacy veil. Behind her is a black velvet sheet screen background. The higher the f-stop will make the background darker. He uses ISO 200.
• Use gel for color effects, which tints the photo in the color of the gel, whether blue, green, yellow, or etc, and creates color lighting effect.
• Model wears her black masquerade mask.
• Place 7-foot umbrella next to the black velvet screen. Place a big strobe with grid on floor, in front of the seated model. He uses multiple lights.
• Also, you can use a flashlight for lighting, but you might need an assistant to hold it at different areas or angles.

Model wears a metallic skull mask over a black mesh to cover her skin.