Plate VISample
A window after dark
The look of soft morning window light, made with one light and a large diffuser, so you can shoot at nine at night in December. For the author whose only free hours are evenings.
Light
One LED light or flash firing through a large softbox, 24 by 36 inches (60 by 90 cm) or bigger, standing where a window would be: to the side of the table, about three feet (1 m) from the book, its center a little above table height. Feather it: turn the softbox so its center points just past the book, and the softer edge of the light falls on the cover.
Bounce or flag
A white foam board camera right, opposite the light, a foot or so from the book, exactly as you would place it beside a real window.
Angle
Forty-five degrees from the front, or straight down for a flatlay. Both work, because the light now behaves the same at any hour.
On the table
Four things, counted
- A natural linen runner
- A clear glass of water
- A sprig of eucalyptus
- The book
Settings
- On a phone
- 1x or 2x lens. Lock focus and exposure on the cover. Every other light in the room must be off, or it will tint the shadows; if the colors look wrong, look for a lamp you missed.
- On a camera
- f/4 · 1/125 s · ISO 200 with an LED (or 1/160 s at ISO 100 with a flash, power set to taste). White balance to match the light, usually 5600 K.
Method
- Turn off every other light in the room and draw the curtains.
- Stand the softbox to the side of the table, about three feet from where the book will be.
- Lay the linen runner and set the book on it, the glass behind on the light side and the eucalyptus across the front corner.
- Feather the light: rotate the softbox until its center points just past the book.
- Stand the white board opposite and bring it in until the shadow side opens.
- Shoot, then compare the frame with one taken by a real window in daylight. Adjust the distance until you can't tell which is which.
What we used
- A dimmable LED light with a Bowens mountLink coming soon
- A 24 by 36 inch (60 by 90 cm) softboxLink coming soon
- A light standLink coming soon
- White foam boardLink coming soon
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