How I Got the Shot: Pitty Album Cover

I was commissioned to work on a series of images for Pitty upcoming album #ACNXX. The hero shot was planned to be a close portrait with a “XX” reflection in Pitty’s eyes. I loved the idea, but technically it presented some uncertainties in execution. The Creative Director said it would be OK adding this element via manipulation so we could create this concept without impacting so much on production. But I wanted to try it on camera and leave only minor details for retouching.

I did some early attempts at home with LED sticks. First results were promising, but we came up with some challenges on

the shooting itself.

The first challenge was to assemble the LED lights perfectly well aligned. Another problem I came up with was using other lights without impacting the “XX” reflection. The solution was the chinese lantern softbox, an indirect lighting without reflecting in the eyes — if placed top above the head.

Lightning diagram

Lightning: Godox XPro II, Godox QT600, Godox AD600 Pro, Godox Lantern Softbox CS-85D, 4 LED sticks & Color Gels. Camera: Sony A7R IV, 100mm f/2.8 G Macro.
Settings: 1/125, f/2.8 & ISO 50.

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