The latest work commissioned to Django Management concerned a shooting in a pool of difficult photographic lighting. Here is how we were able to create the desired mood.

We are contacted for a photo shoot in a pool in Barcelona, a major challenge with regard to the photographic lighting. The arrival in Barcelona on the afternoon of 21th allows me to know the assistant who will work with me tomorrow on the set. Jose is waiting for me in the hotel lobby. After placing the bag with the equipment, we head to the pool where we will shoot tomorrow.

Analysis of the location

The humidity is very high and this could pose a problem for our Profoto ProB4 1000. Although they are very durable and tropicalized, they may suffer the extremely humid climate of the SPA.
We prepare with Josè a schedule for the next morning, so that all the electronic equipment like the Canon 1DX MK II, opticals and flash are brought first in the pool in order to acclimatize to moisture and avoid the risk of condensation on sensors and on the lenses, as well as on the flash batteries.
After the location, we head to the rental that manages our order, to control the material. The manager of the rental waiting for us with all the material already prepared and ordered, to make a check list together.
Given the limited space available on the set, we decide to thin out a bit the lights list, in order to work lighter.

Test and execution of the photo shoot

The next morning, when we arrived on location, I task Jose of transporting the equipment in the pool for the photographic lighting. Meanwhile, I wear the suit brought from Milan. The pool is heated but remain in the water for nine hours brings fatigue.
To create the required backlight I must carry the Profoto on the other side of the pool by walking with the water at the height of the chin. Then I make several trips to transport the C-stand, batteries, parables and grids.
So we test the Lee Filters SunStraw, which should turn the tone of the flash light in the tungsten light.
For the front light, instead of the Chinese Lantern of Chimera Lighting, we decide to use Profoto Octa 5′ with ProGRid grid. In this way we can concentrate the light only on the subject and not illuminate the bottom of the pool.

(Oysho, Barcellona, ph. A. Bolzoni.)