I was recently given a set of Zhiyun B-series constant lights and I really wanted to try them out in the studio. I was also working with a new model whose very name gave me inspiration for this shoot – ‘Crystal’. This is how I got the Photo – Crystals.

I created “Crystals” in the studio with Elena aka (@crystalsnowyy). I wanted something a little ethereal, bright and shiny. Soft light and lots of reflections

Setting the scene

I used a seamless grey paper backdrop and then lined the studio with silver mylar sheets. These had been crumpled up to created 100s of creases. I used an old table and also covered that with mylar. For props we used chandelier crystal drop pendants suspended from the ceiling. I wanted to keep it simple. My model worked a few different tops and jewellery selections throughout the short. The above image shows a rudimentary diagram.

Top left & Right – Lumecube and colored lights
Bottom left – Zhiyun Molus B200 and Phottix 65cm Softbox with gel
Bottom right – Zhiyun Molus B300 and Phottix 85cm Softbox with gel

Lighting was a Zhiyun Molus B200 and B300 with the Phottix 65cm & 85cm softbox/beauty dishes. I positioned my lights on either front corner and angled in. 450 degree angle from the model, up quite high, and angled down. The bottom of the softbox was roughly level with Emily’s head. Just enough to stop the light from reflecting in the hanging crystals. I also used the Lumevcvube RGB lights as further light in the back. I had gels of various colors on all the lights. Red/Green, Blue/Pink, Green/Yellow for different looks.

The other item I used was Fractal Prism lenses. I have covered there before, but it’s been some time since I got them out…of the beautiful prism of light they gave. These are best used just in front of the lens and twisted and turned to catch the light.