Jill Greenberg Lighting

[weighter]

Just curious if anyone was interested in dissecting / discussing the lighting setup that Jill Greenberg uses to create her very distinct and beautiful style? There are a lot of experts on this site and I would love to hear any thoughts / advice

you can view a sample here http://members.aol.com/strangecastro...lGreenberg.jpg

Her official website is here
Jill Greenberg :: The Manipulator

[Brooks]

She's also famous for her series of crying children. There has been much talk about the ethics of making the children cry but very little talk about her technique.... Seems easy enough to me.....

[weighter]

heh yeah I didn't want to get into the crying children discussion for reasons of controversey and ranting

Her retouching (or her retoucher) is probably more impressive than the lighting, but id love to see some diagrams or info on her setup. Anything from basic reproductions to what I think is a very elaborate type of setup that she uses. It looks like there are 3 catch lights in the models eyes, and theres obvious harsh lighting to either side... 6 or 7 light sources maybe?

... and of course... needs more cowbell

[Brooks]

Originally Posted by weighter

... and of course... needs more cowbell

Goes without saying.....

On the Jon Stewart photo it looks like a main light on camera right near the lens axis, a fill light under the lens, strong hair light from the rear above, and two strong seperation lights from behind, left and right and finally a light for the background glow. That's six lights, by my count.

The image is too small to clearly see the reflections of the lights in Stewarts eyes. I'm guessing they're smaller softboxes but they could also be octoboxes.

[Max@Home]

Hi Brooks,

...hate to spoil a good joke , but is that image copyrighted ??

...if so, please change the attachment to a link ??

Thanks in advance, kindest regards,

Max@Home

[Brooks]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

Hi Brooks,

...hate to spoil a good joke , but is that image copyrighted ??

...if so, please change the attachment to a link ??

Thanks in advance, kindest regards,

Max@Home

Nope, no intent to copyright notice published along with that photo on any of several websites where it can be found.

[weighter]

Well after some further searching, I found a video that showed Greenbergs setup. I simply do not have enough lights to reproduce it, just a poor mans copy with two strobes and a speedlight... but if anyone is interested and would like to give it a shot heres the layout... (now I want to buy a ringflash )

[Brooks]

Do you have a link to that video?

Brooks

[weighter]

Originally Posted by Brooks

Do you have a link to that video?

Brooks

You can see it very easily in this video:
YouTube - Gwen Stefani "Webisode #3"

And also in this one
YouTube - Jill Greenberg - CoolHunting Ep. 63

[J kacey]

Messing around with her lighting style....... 8 lights
I did not make my son cry for the pic..... Set up lights and waited for one of his moments