A different background for a totally different look

March 1, 2024/in blog, Visions and technique/by Frank Doorhof

A Different background for a totally different look

Of course, we all know that changing the backdrop can create a different feel or look. Different backdrop and same styling
But somehow it also always triggers my creativity. We used the same styling.
Model and styling: Nadine
Backdrops: ClickBackDrops
Strobes: Geekoto

Just a backdrop or more?

For me, a backdrop is not just a pattern or something to fill up the space behind the model. I always try to make the backdrop a vital part of the shot. When I want something edgy I’ll often go for a more distressed wall look, when I want something more classical…. mmm maybe something with old curtains?

Well luckily for you guys we did just that with our model Nadine.
We decided to keep the styling and lighting idea roughly the same but change the backdrop. As you can see even Nadine poses differently. My position is different and the end result is totally different.

Now this might seem logical. But often it’s forgotten that when you really blend background and model together ON SET you get a much more “organic” and “real” result. Not just because the shadow and light play on the backdrop. But also because both model and photographer are “inspired” by the results coming in.

People often ask me if I’m afraid that AI will replace all backdrops?

No, I’m not.
Yes it will replace it for some people, and the possibilities are limitless. But it cannot replace the shadow play, and inspiration the photographer/model experience during the shoot. The shadows could maybe be replicated but you would need a proper knowledge of lighting in the first place and an above-average knowledge of Photoshop to make it 100% convincible.

Let’s first take a look at the first set we did with Nadine.

Buy the ProFabric Black Wash Backdrop in our store (8,92’x8,92′ or 272x272cm)

I just love the way the backdrop seems to add a sensation of movement to the images.
This was shot the day we got the backdrops in so I didn’t use them before 😀

As you can see I played with different looks in tinting, posing, and color/BW.
But there is a certain feel to the images.

Now let’s change to an other backdrop. Same styling, but different look

Now this backdrop is officially unavailable in ProFabric, but I loved it so much they made a custom order on Pro-Fabric (which you can now also order). And as you can see the change is not just the backdrop 😀

See the backdrops we have in stock.

Check out the video of a styled photoshoot with Nadine, where I used AI on the backdrop

Read the blog about the backdrops with isolation blankets

A kind of different product photography, shots from guitar pedals

February 23, 2024/in blog, Visions and technique/by Frank Doorhof

A kind of different product photography, shots from guitar pedals

Most of the posts we do online are from model photography. But product photography is also one of the services we offer our clients. Most of the time, the model shots are however a lot more interesting to post. But sometimes we also show you some of the products we shoot, when it’s special.

Hobby vs business

I always say I’m a lucky guy, every day I can do what I love most, create images. But sometimes I’m double so lucky when I can combine two of my passions.

I’ve known RJ-amps for a few years now and he can do wonders with tube amps but also builds great guitar pedals. When I brought my amp in I got two brand new pedals to play with which will be released later this year. And of course…. and he knows that…. I couldn’t resist to take some images.

Now we also took some of the more boring white backgrounds but when we do product shoots I also always like to add some “special set” shots. With handbags for example. We build a small set fitting the brand and took some shots in there, with fancy lighting. In most cases, we do this for free (and fun) but clients often end up using those images also.

How I shot this product, the guitar pedals

For this series I decided to shoot it at home with a combination of a Lumecube with a snoot and two Nanlite led tubes on the side.
The challenge was to get the Lumecube in exactly the right place, but luckily we could use the K&F concept tripod I’m using for my iPhone video setup. This is an awesome tripod because it can act as a boom arm, making it ideal for shoots like this or using phones in video setups.

Here is the behind-the-scenes setup for both pedals.

A little bit of set styling

The reason I shot this at home was mainly because it was the best location 😀
This is the area where I create my music and also host live streams when I do seminars for clubs or Digital Classroom episodes without live shoots.

I love the carpet here (somehow most guitarists seem to love them) so I wanted to use that as my “base”
Because it’s a pedal I chose this vintage-looking amp because it’s pretty neutral-looking and stands close to the floor. So there is no problem fitting it in the frame.

Of course, you also need a guitar. Here I chose a custom-built guitar for the nice wood look which I think works great with the color of the amp and the carpet. Also, the finish has a very high gloss which makes it harder to light. But the effect when done right makes it possible to use just a little bit of light to see some details.

For some “fill,” I used my favorite-looking microphone, a nice Marantz Ribbon mic.

Lighting

As mentioned I’m using the Lumecube with a snoot and two Nanlites tubes on the left and right.
I love using accents with red and blue because both are on the same axis in the colorspace they blend together really nicely and both are also the so-called “emotion” colors so for me personally it’s a combination I use a lot.

Placing the lights is vital if you want details in the guitar without getting too much glare. However, around the edges, I did want just a little bit of reflection making the guitar stand out. After finding the right spot you can fine-tune the spread by just turning the tube very slowly and keep looking through your camera.

Ok… let’s show the results.
I did use just a little bit of BorisFX for special effects.
Get a 15% discount on BorisFX by using our link.

PS: if you like this blog about product photography (from guitar pedals), let me know! Find me on social media.

A set built with isolation blankets for… zero

January 12, 2024/in blog, Visions and technique/by Frank Doorhof

A set built with isolation blankets?
Why not?

Today in the blog some images we shot with our model Trista during a recent workshop.
We recently had the studio roof replaced and of course, that also meant that we have some stuff left, including some isolation blankets.
The moment we saw them we knew we had to do something with them.
We have already built sets with rescue blankets (gold/silver) but these were a lot larger. And in the end, in all honesty, it just didn’t work in this set. But I think they would be awesome as a background for portraits, so I think you will see them again in the future.

Let first, start with the initial setup. We used our movable walls and taped the isolation blankets to it.

As you can see the set is far from perfect, but somehow it also works.
Here I’m using the mirror to mirror the legs and the accent lights, I talk a lot about walking around the model to get a different kind of contrast, here you can clearly see what the angle does on the legs, this is not photoshoped 😀

Of course after that I oped for more close ups, mainly because I didn’t like the set for full bodies.

This I liked a bit better, but I also tried one from the back.
And to be honest I’m still in doubt between the two which one I like most.

Angles, angles and again angles….

And as usual, always try different angles.
I can’t tell you guys enough how much impact the shooting angle can have, not only in lighting but also with the total way the image looks.
Lower angles will often give a “hero” feel, where higher angles sometimes give a really cool effect.

Adding some color….
Or a lot

After the “standard” setup I opted for a lot more red in the scene.

Now be warned, these images are far from the run of the mill images, but sometimes I just love to go to the extreme sides.
In this case I opened the aperture a lot (to the point of overexposing) just maintaining the highlights in the skin, I didn’t want the skin to overexpose, this often looks awful in color shots, the only thing you could do is convert it to black and white where we are often a bit more forgiving for overexposure. But best is to keep it just below overexpose on the skin, you can always go to black and white later if you want.

Im adding a Rogue omnidirectional dome here with a magenta gel, and although I’m still using the mainlight the red really overpowers everything giving it a totally different vibe.

As you can see by just adding some color you can change the look of our set built with isolation blankets completely. Just make sure the model covers up for certain angles.

Feel free to reach out with questions.
A like and share on social media is highly appreciated.

Check out the short about the rescue blankets

Subscribe to our newsletter

Some colourful lights in the set

January 10, 2024/in blog, Visions and technique/by Frank Doorhof

Adding continuous lighting is always fun

In todays blog post some images we shot during a workshop with out model Trista.
I’m using a mix of strobes and continuous lighting here.

Due to the reflective floor (plexiglas) and the mirror the angles under which you can shoot are slightly limited.
I loved this angle because it adds a bit to the story telling part of the shot.

Hope you like the results.
The set it build with isolation blankets we had left from our new roof instalment.
A good set doesn’t have to be expensive 😀

Over time you will collect things that you can always combine during photoshoot. Some people will decorate their whole house with little sets, in our case we just collect a lot of “junk” at flea markets, attics etc. we are always interested in things we can someday use. The only problem is room.

Always try to see possibilities, like in this set we used the isolation blankets. There were just laying around so why not use them.
I’m pretty sure you have a lot of stuff in your home that would make awesome set pieces.

Tag Archive for: inspiration