Description

This is a classic establishing shot for headphones. It helps us understand the shape and relations between different parts. The lighting is visually symmetrical to emphasize the physical symmetry of an object. Left and right softboxes provide necessary highlights to establish the curvature of most round shapes. The light that’s right in front of the camera brightens surfaces facing towards the viewer. It also acts as a reflector that brings up all of the chrome parts. This, as well, provides necessary cues to better understand the shape. The only key light, hidden behind the left headphone provides depth to the right cushion and a bit of asymmetry to make the image more interesting.

Note: All lights have softbox gradients that are designed to either simulate a physical softbox or to help the light blend better into the curvature of the object making it look less harsh. In most images I have excluded DOF effects or lens imperfections. This helps better understand lighting and materials without creating extra photo-realism through means of obstruction. DOF is only used where necessary — where the surface is unimportant but the depth cue is required. Every scene has an a L shaped white surface that is lit with it’s own light to control how much of a bounce light / reflection is given back to the headphones.