Shooting Black On Black
As you all know by now, Peter only ever wears t-shirts with his own images on them. He hadn’t made a new design in a while, and doesn’t have a Bec t-shirt in black so we did a quick shoot to show a lighting set up you wouldn’t have seen on Inspire, and also how to light properly so a photo can be printed.
Link to purchase Peter’s t-shirts here!
Roll on body glue Bec used to stick on the off the shoulder top has been discontinued, but this is similar
13 comments on “Shooting Black On Black”
Hi Peter and Bec.
Once again, another great tutorial. I start my day with a cup of coffee and logging into Inspire to see if there is a new tutorial. It makes my day when there is as I can focus more on what you’re teaching before the rest of the day’s issues start interfering. I’m finally getting to the point where I can see some of the minor lighting changes Peter is referencing as he is making lighting adjustments. Now that I can see some of them, I’m amazed at how different a picture can look just by making some minor adjustments.
I do have a question on the hair/separation light. You used a broad light source, yet I’d always seen/heard/read that hair/separation lights should be more controlled by a modifier (grids, snoot, barn doors, fresnel head, etc.) giving a more direct light. The reasoning has always been that these are required to focus the light and preventing spilling or wrapping around to where it isn’t wanted. Yet, with a large octabox you were able to get as much, if not more control giving good separation and a slight kick to Bec’s hair. Honestly, it was not what I was expecting to happen when you said you were going to use it. Is the angle used a more important factor for this than the modifier being used? I also now wonder if it is better to use a broader light source than to use a more direct source and if shooting space plays into the equation?
Hey Eric, thanks so much, that’s awesome and we are so happy to hear you are starting to see some of the minor changes! Honestly not even I can see them sometimes haha 🙂 glad it is clicking for you.
Yeah with the hair light, most people want to use a snoot and create a very high contrast look, but in nature the ‘hair light’ is the sun which is a very broad light and Peter prefers that look, he tries to use a light as broad as posible. I hope that helps
I’d love to see the final retouched selects from the two sessions. Another great tutorial – especially using the overhead light to separate the hair without being obvious about it. Bravo…again!
Thanks heaps Dan 🙂 here is the retouched black on white – https://www.instagram.com/p/CBiEaxghQPQ/
The other one will be coming soon!
Gosh, I love you guys. I look totally different at photography since I’ve discovered Peter. There’s however a downside – all I see in my Instagram feed full of well-known photographers are… dead models. Seriously, there’s no soul at all and every photo of some models has the same dead eyes. Bec, however, is nailing it – she gives the confident, powerful woman look in like 5 minutes into the shoot. Both of You are truly awesome and I’m really grateful that you decided to share your knowledge and approach with the rest of the world. Wish you the best, M.
Thank you so much M, we both really appreciate it! I completely agree with you too, since I started working with Peter I can’t look at models I used to love any more because there’s nothing in the eyes haha
I noticed this in this video first time, but it was allways there: I like how you keep talking during the shot. You talk and talk and talk … as a viewer, i do never listen actively to you but somehow … i do listen to you subconsciously.
Makes it more flow (or “flowy” … dont know if this word exists :D)
What i would like to know is, what is the difference between red/green/blue channel and when you like to use one over the other.
Is there a good reason to go for the Oompa Loompa look in your oppinion? 😀
Also, what is in your eyes the “chrome” look and how you create it?
I agree with makdob: since i discovered your channel, the Insta stuff is just sooo boring and dead.
One sidenote: compared to other Youtube “photographers”, you are completely different. I like that you don’t stick on gear s**t. Your lessions about light and attitude are more valuable than anything else.
With love from Germany
Martin
Thank you so much Martin. A lot of models also say they don’t really actively listen to me too but subconsciously it relaxes them and like you said, makes the shoot flow better.
Red channel shows contrast, green shows detail, and blue shows noise. It’s what ever look you’re trying to create, sometimes I want the ‘oompa loompa’ look, but I always treat every image differently and go through all the channels until I’m happy with the image.
The ‘chrome’ look is how fast the skin falls off from black to white, like a piece of chrome metal – https://www.oregometal.com/appassets/images/chrome-nickel-plating/chrome-nickel-plating-03.jpg and I create this with my curves.
And thank you so much, I really appreciate the awesome feedback 🙂
Cool, thank you for the chrome example. Now i understand what your eyes are looking for. And i think i understand why you dont like the default B&W version, that you get when you simply press “Convert to Black and white” in most Softwaretools.
I once saw a simple picture in B&W of two hands holding a silver camera. The shoot was taken fom above and what i liked about this shoot was actualy the chrome look. I did not realzed it the first time but this picture was allways in my mind as an amazing B&W photo.
I think now i understand why i will never forget this picture. You are right, the chrome look does have a lot to like about.
Please keep on teaching people like me on lighting. This is so rare these days. And keep on saying “cool cool” during sessions :D. This is unique to you and it makes me a pleasure to watch you.
Great to watch you two work, as always ! Quick question: is there a brand of Roll-On Body glue you recommend to keep fabric from shifting ? Thanks so much !
Thanks heaps George 🙂 the brand we use has been discontinued, but I just found this online that looks to be the same https://www.bodyglue.com.au/product/hold-up-body-adhesive/
Hello Peter and Bec
I just joined after going back and forth about monthly or yearly.
I do not have a studio any longer and have moved LED lighting.
Watching you two work is very educational, not just the lighting but how Bec can relax and Peter does not to major changes all the time just tweaks.
I am sure I will have questions as I try to apply these things to my shoots with LEDs and no real studio
Thanks heaps, we are glad you’re enjoying the tutorials so far & I’m always tweaking the light to see if I can make it better. We’ve been working together for years which helps Bec to relax so easily. We are here if you have any questions along the way, cheers!