I aim to create a series of commercial fashion images that are dynamic with deeper depth of field to get most details in focus with the minimum aperture f11. I’ll be using 1 to 3 godox strobes QT600 mark 3 in 3 easy setups from high key to mid key. The camera I’m using today is Sony alpha 7R5 with the lens 24-70 f2.8. 

For the first set up, I want to create images that are evenly bright with a clean shadow that are not too close to the model. By using only 1 light, I position the light just a bit off centre to the model and shoot underneath the light. To make the shoot easier, I turn on the modelling light to help me see what the light and shadow are doing so I can adjust the position and angle of the light to get the images I want.

After that, I direct the model to stand closer to the wall for a harder shadow. I use standard silver reflector to get more punchy high contrast look. During the shoot, I suggest the model to keep moving to get a variety of shots from staged posing to candid in-between shots. 

With the fast-recycling time and high power, I’m able to change my shooting pace to get the shot I want in f16 without compromise.

Moving on to the second setup, I’ll alternate between 3 lights and 1 light for 2 different looks to show versatility and time efficiency of the setup. First, I light the background to white. To do that I use 4 polyboards to build 2 corners with white interiors. Then 2 strobes qt600 mark 3 with the same power are placed to face the white corners to bounce the light back to the background evenly. After that, to light the model, I use another light with a deep large silver umbrella placed 45 degree angle to the model’s left. Next, the umbrella is feather off the model to get the desired lighting effect. The black sides of the polyboards helps create more contrast. 

Again I give the model direction to constantly moving and interact with the clothes from time to time to get more natural poses.

After getting the shot with the white background, I switch off the 2 lights at the back and continue shooting with the main light. By doing that, you have another option with the grey background created by the main light’s fall offs. Different shadows can be created by rotating the main light. Here I feather the light far off to the model to get more deeper contrast on the face while getting interesting shadow at the back. Therefore, as you can see, 2 backgrounds or looks can be achieved in 1 setup.

For the last look, I set up the red paper roll and use a sofa as a prop. A strobe QT600 mark 3 is used with a deep white large umbrella to create softer light. I place it on the model’s left, feathering the light so that it wraps around the model. I use the sofa and red background to create more interesting set. Also, that will make the composition of the images more dynamic based on shooting angle and model’s interaction with the prop.

By placing the light far from the background and feathering the umbrella, I can be able to get the soft wrapping effect of light while controlling the amount of light fall off to the back, creating a deeper red tone in background of the model. As a result, the light is soft but contrast to the background. The photographs have more intense color while having a variety in composition, creating more striking commercial fashion imagery.