By Andrew Hales
Object Type or Collection: Clothing Uniforms and textiles on Mannequins
Number of Lights: 5 lights flashes
Lenses Used: 24-70mm, 100mm macro
Basic Summary
This setup was created in an empty temporary exhibition space and was used to photograph a collection of uniforms and clothing on mannequins, along with two dive suits held up by custom-made frames, supported by a C-stand.
The mannequins were mostly borrowed from another organisation.
Using the exhibition space provided enough room for a proper setup and room to prepare each textile with the support of the collection team.
Five lights are used: two lights on the grey paper background and three lights on the mannequin.
The background lights ensure an even exposure across the paper and are feathered away from the mannequin.
The mannequin has a 75 octa at roughly 45deg up and to the side, a large 90x120 for fill and a 30x180 as an edge light to help with separation.
A piece of cardboard is used to keep the background paper clean, and mannequins are dressed to the side and carried onto the set. Each piece is photographed at an angle facing the main light, then straight on, both sides, and the back.
Close-up photographs are taken of buttons, trims, epaulettes and any labels, etc.
Different fabrics have different levels of reflectivity, so the main and fill lights can be moved in and out as needed to adjust exposure on the mannequin without changing the background, thanks to lots of separation. The height of the main and fill lights are also adjusted for full-length outfits or single items as needed.
Note: The dive suits sit on foam and card to enable them to be moved into position on a custom-made frame for display.
Example Image
Lighting Setup
- Two 90x120 softboxes on either side facing the background, on c-stands.
- One 75 octa on a grip arm and wheeled light stand can be adjusted for height as needed and moved in and out for exposure as needed.
- One 90x120 softbox on a wheeled stand can be adjusted as above.
- One 30x120 stripbox on a c-stand for edge light.
- Camera on a tripod, height adjusted as needed for different size mannequins and garments.
- 100mm lens used for most photos, including details of buttons, etc.
- Out of frame: Table and several trollies for preparing outfits and fitting to mannequins.
