[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#be6464″ class=”” size=””]”I can work with a vast range of  photo lighting and light quality, mixing and matching but overall creating my own particular style of light. I can also replicate this style in Film lights, Arri lights, Flash lights or like this shots demonstrates using available ambient and mixing with LED lighting.”[/perfectpullquote]

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”I” size=”large” border=”border” border_color_class=”otw-silver-border”][/otw_shortcode_dropcap]I generally tend to be a slightly sceptic nowadays, this could be an understatement maybe? but when I was asked to create some fine art pictures with an art director from a leading agency. To be created in the style of middle America poster art similar to Edward Hopper, I was slightly bemused as to why and how can this be placed commercially. Ok thats cool and workable but where were you thinking that this could happen in the UK? It will all  have a UK feel to it.

Conversation went a like this…

ART DIRECTOR: “Yes but we think this will be ok, if the overall effect is similar. We are not looking for a copy of this style but a gentle lean so that people can make this comparison”

JAMES: “Ok so that sound fine but we will need a recce of course, however you can rest assured that this style of location will not be found in and around London, most have been turned into gastro pubs!”

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#be6464″ class=”” size=””]Edward Hopper (July 22, 1882 – May 15, 1967) was an American realist painter and printmaker. While he is best known for his oil paintings, he was equally proficient as a watercolorist and printmaker in etching.[/perfectpullquote]

After a few weeks of searching for a suitable location, we discovered a beautiful little location in one of the UK big cities .. I can’t tell you where but somewhere in the UK and chosen based on three requirements.

* The type of building and locationPlacement of location
*On the corner of two streets
*Good avilable lighting 

I never really thought that  one day I n my career I might photograph a Kebab shop but here I was on location with a team ready to do just that. So I think that the reference that the art director was using was clearly Crewdson and there was no real way of staying away form this but the task for me was to create a good overall feel for composition and lighting. The only specific was the owners of the cafe would let us work but only if they could stay open.

So here is a little tek about the shoot, might surprise you but when you know what you need with light then the rest fits into place. [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#be6464″ class=”” size=””]I really only needed to meter for the light streaming outside through the windows which was fairly bright. I then slightly underexposed these images ” Under expose image such a these ever so slightly but one stop maybe or even more. The reason is it increases the dynamic range and more details are apparent and perfect for the light tools in Lightroom or camera raw. It allows for a slightly more painterly effect.”[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#be6464″ class=”” size=””]The lighting for this might really amaze you. There are no great Arri film lights or even Reds or Blondes. Not even any flash! I simply added one tripod, a timed exposure and a very simple £45 LED light from eBay. This can be seen from the right in this picture. I then increased my camera ISO to create this lighting effect.[/perfectpullquote]

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”L” size=”large” border=”border” border_color_class=”otw-silver-border”][/otw_shortcode_dropcap]Lighting is NOT always about the big brands, its not what you have brand wise that makes you the photographer you need to be. Its basic understanding of Light, Shape, and Form which is my war cry. If you know what the light is doing then you are in business. The great thing with the small LED lights is that you can get your assistant to move the light whilst sooting away, this will create a range of quality light alternatives.

LIGHT USED IS THIS Yongnuo