PictureCorrect.com: A 3 Light Setup for Fitness Photography

During a recent shoot for a fitness boot camp class, photographer Miguel Quiles used a basic three point lighting setup. This behind the scenes video of the photo shoot gives insight into the lighting tools and camera settings best used for fitness photography:

Lighting

Quiles’s basic three light setup includes a PhotoFlex FlexFlash 400W with a PhotoFlex Medium Octadome for the key light, and two rim lights on either side of the camera. The light on camera left is a PhotoFlex 200W with a PhotoFlex Medium Halfdome with grid, and the light on camera right is a PhotoFlex FlexFlash 200W with a medium grid.

Lighting Setup

The purpose of the rim lights is to separate the subject from the background by creating a nice highlight around the model.

Placement

The lights are positioned close to the model.

Quiles emphasizes the importance of placing the lights correctly. The closer the lights are to the subject the softer the light will be.

Camera Gear and Settings

Quiles uses a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and a 50mm f/1.2 lens. A tripod is essential, as it helps to get the sharpest of images. The camera settings are f/9 at 1/125 of a second and ISO 100. Notice how the camera settings did not change throughout the shoot.

Props

Props are important, especially in fitness photography, because they tend to add something extra to the photos. Remember, these images are meant for promoting a fitness boot camp.

Here are a few images from the shoot.

Once the lighting for this type of shot is in place, your job as the photographer is to get the right expressions from your model. Quiles got a number of looks from the shoot even with the same lighting for each shot.

For Further Training on Studio Photography

There is an advanced lighting DVD available that walks you through choosing studio equipment and how to use it properly. It can be found here: Mastering Strobe Lighting

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Article from: PictureCorrect

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