Vermeer lighting

Jean Kelly · 05-12-2004, 11:52 AM

Steven, what an amazing set! If I could I'd drop myself into the middle of it and soak up the"ambiance". The story is powerful enough, but the beauty is what impressed me. Sorry Eduardo, you helped create a beautiful movie and visual treat.

Marvin, my brother (the color guy for Quadgraphics) gave me some color corrected florescent tubes. I'll get them out and see just what they are. I also have numerous types of sheer, guazy fabric that I could use as a diffuser. It's time to start playing. I've never taken the time to set things up, so this will be a new experience for me. I'll ask my friend (the photographer) if she has a strobe I could borrow, and see what happens.

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 05-12-2004, 12:05 PM

The Photoflex company makes a product called a Softbox that is kind of the industry standard for replicating window light (at least in terms of size and softness, if not exactly replicating north light color).

You can look at their products at http://www.photoflex.com -- they also have some interesting online lighting lessons that are worth looking at.

Marvin Mattelson · 05-12-2004, 12:37 PM

Window light is ideal when one is painting from life but, IMHO, inadequate for photography because the film or CCD's aren't as perceptive to subtleties. I know people disagree with this but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!! Film stock doesn't begin to capture the tonal nuances that the eye perceives but it has movement, which distracts from its shortcomings.

Steven Sweeney · 05-12-2004, 01:54 PM

Last incursion here, on the "softbox" subtopic.

If the pro models seem a bit pricey, consider this home-made design, or this one, which is a bank of natural spectrum fluorescents I cobbled together for my own use (and which I am not representing is the equivalent of natural light):

Jean Kelly · 05-12-2004, 01:59 PM

Thanks Michele, I checked out the site and it looks interesting, my friend may actually have everything that I need. I wasn't sure what a softbox was and was ready to start a search. You've saved me precious time.

Marvin, I've done all my reference photos in natural light. Every photo I've taken indoors has sucked due to my lack of knowledge of photography in general and trying to learn both photography and a new camera with bells and whistles. Now I feel a little more comfortable with the camera, so ready to try "artificial" light. Since this is a portfolio piece and Clea is available to model I'll also be painting from life. Guess I'll have to move to Delft or Luxemborg and take Clea with me. I'd rather practice with a friend than a paying client. I want that soft glow that I saw in the movie and in Vermeer's paintings. Time to do a search on Vermeer. I'll check out the thread on his techniques here in the forum.

Steven, Thanks for the link, I've bookmarked it and will cjeck it out further. On the cheap sounds good to me.

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 05-12-2004, 03:36 PM

I would add a word of caution about homemade softboxes. Lights can get VERY hot and any flammable materials (ie foam core, cardboard, etc) that is too close to the heat source can cause a fire. It's not something I would be brave enough to try, for that reason.

Jean Kelly · 05-12-2004, 05:46 PM

Thanks Michele, I won't be trying to make one, just not that handy anymore.

Jean

Forgot to add, Clea came over to try on the dress today and try out some ideas for pose and accessories. She is absolutely beautiful! I'm getting really excited about this one. I've got to finish Noah first although there isn't much left to do.