Tutorial
HOW TO LIGHT A FASHION SHOW!
Aug
A Fashion Show is completely visually driven! Lighting will make all the difference.
This is why an experienced lighting technician is essential. Designers can spend months or years developing their next collection, and have no desire to have their work showcased poorly.
THE RUNWAY STAGE
- The stage is placed in the middle of the audience, rather than in front.
- The lighting fixtures do not move, but the subjects do.
Watch The Video!
THE LIGHTING:
- The lights must be placed in an extensive way so that the models are always well lit no matter where they are on stage.
- The lighting must be precise and cannot bleed off of the stage and into the audience.
Too little light
This lighting won’t bleed into the audience, but won’t fully illuminate the models.
Too much light
This lighting will illuminate the models, but will also illuminate the first row of the audience.
Perfect!
This is the ideal lighting. The entire stage is illuminated and only a small amount of light runs off the sides, but will not reach the audience.
BEST LIGHT FOR THIS PURPOSE: ELLIPSOIDAL
Pictured above is one of Springtree’s original lighting fixtures, a 200 Watt Natural Warm White LED Ellipsoidal. Ellipsoidal fixtures are powerful spotlights commonly used for theater and stage. The beam is powerful and can be adjusted in size to match whatever subject you want to light.
Some ellipsoidal fixtures can be DMX controlled and come with gel and GOBO holders to change the color and shape of the beam. For a fashion show, a warm white light is needed to show the natural colors of the outfits.
LIGHTING FRONT & BACK
- Because of the design of the stage, the audience will see the front and back of the models as they walk by.
- We cannot use a spotlight that points directly down unless we want to create harsh, unflattering shadows.
Therefore:
Lighting must come down at an angle so that it hits the models’ entire front and back. This also properly showcases the designer’s clothes
Cross your beams
Hang your ellipsoidal lights so that the two beams create an upside-down ‘V’ shape. Place the lights up and down the length of the catwalk so that light will hit the models and they travel back and forth.
At the end of the catwalk: perfecting the light for photographers
At the end of the catwalk, the model will pause for a moment to pose. This is where the professional photographers will snap their perfect shot.
- At the end of the truss that runs the length of the catwalk, add a second truss to make a ‘T’ shape.
- Put 2-3 ellipsoidals on the new truss to fully light the models as they pause. This should give photographers all the light they need.
Thanks for reading!