A not so Retro Photoshoot with Stefania Cima + Lighting Setup
I recently had the pleasure of working with the captivating Bella Ricchi, an Italian model with an irresistible charm. Our latest collaboration aimed to evoke the spirit of classic DSLR photography, opting for the iconic Canon 5D Mark III and trusty EF 50mm f1.4 lens. A combination I used to use all the time in the early 2000’s
Released in 1993, the same year Jurassic Park dominated theaters, the EF 50mm f1.4 remains a stellar choice for both EF and R camera systems. It’s faster than the RF 50mm f1.8 STM and way less expensive than the RF 50mm f1.2 L. It’s a great middle ground with a lot of value for money. Its enduring popularity speaks to its exceptional quality.
To enhance the nostalgic aesthetic, and create a bit of that retro film look I turned to Nik Collection’s Color Efex Pro 4. Basing my edits on their Kodak Porta 400 emulation I was able to simulate some of that vintage charm into the shots.
Bella Ricchi's timeless allure breathed life into this retro themed photoshoot, creating a visual narrative that pays homage to the magic of bygone eras. lol, let’s face it you can’t fake real film but it’s fun to play around and experiment with different editing techniques. Overall I’m really happy with how this shoot turned out. Scroll down to see my lighting setup for these shots.
📷 Shot with Canon EOS 5D Mark III + EF 50mm f1.4
🛸 More content with Stefania Cima | Instagram
Lighting Setup
The lighting arrangement for this shoot was kept simple with a two-light setup. The primary light source was an giant 86” parabolic umbrella from Alien Bees. As umbrella rods have a uniform width, you have the flexibility to purchase umbrellas from any manufacturer and these Alien Bees umbrellas are priced right. The second light had a standard reflector on a strobe, directed towards the back wall. While the second light might have been unnecessary, its purpose was to disperse light in the compact studio space and lift shadows behind the model. I didn’t want to fully get rid of the shadows because they add depth but I also didn’t want them to be distractingly dark.
Regarding light intensity, each setup varies, necessitating some experimentation to find the optimal balance. Typically, lenses are at their sharpest between f5.6 and f8. To streamline your setup, set your lens to f8 and fine-tune your lights until achieving the correct exposure at that aperture. Enjoy that simple hack to help you get your shoot off in the right direction.
