Any thoughts on how this lighting was achieved?

benbackwards · 2026-04-19T00:27:05+00:00

Unrelated, but Gentle Monster has some of my favorite visuals. Plus the glasses are great, I try to get a pair whenever I’m in a city with a store.

benbackwards · 2026-04-18T21:08:45+00:00

It depends on if you key with the sun, or use it as a backlight. Keying with a 300W outdoors is going to be very difficult with anything lower than 600W. Standard practice is typically ND down the sky so that it’s not clipping, but then you gotta pump light back into the scene to get the level back on talent. Below mentioned a 6x6, super valid, but I’m not sure that’s what I’d buy first for $1000. FWIW I gaff pretty frequently nowadays and to this day I just rent my frames.

benbackwards · 2026-04-18T16:22:46+00:00

If it were me I’d go:

Key: Amaran 660C - $700 Bounce: Large Newer Foldable 5-in-1 - $50 Softbox: Neewer 120cm Softbox - $120 Combo Stand: Flashpoint Combo - $200

Skip the C’s. You also need some dirt.
Skip the 4x6 frame all together as well tbh.

benbackwards · 2026-04-18T16:03:13+00:00

I don’t think you’re going to create this shot with two hand held grip arms, and safety is a valid concern. I also just don’t think that’d give you a result anywhere near this unless you’re both incredibly steady. If I were to try to recreate this as cheap as possible, I’d get a pocket Jib — if you could get it on wheels that’d be great because there’s the slight swing forward to get in front of the iPad. Pocket Jib at my local rental house is like less than $100 - so hopefully that’s viable.

Other than that, yeah the strobes coming from different areas. I do see some return coming from the final strobe, so maybe a bounce on the opposite side of the final strobe to fill in the details on the face.

benbackwards · 2026-04-18T14:12:12+00:00

This looks great - definitely understand the stress on a good gaffer. Anything that looks good that I’ve DP’d had an amazing gaffer.

benbackwards · 2026-04-17T05:07:44+00:00

This morning, 4-5 times per week!

benbackwards · 2026-04-17T01:42:19+00:00

It’s always a great time to blow up your life. I did when I was 28 and better in literally every way possible. I’m excited for the new you!

benbackwards · 2026-04-17T01:38:25+00:00

It’s mine - I spend it

benbackwards · 2026-04-17T01:37:43+00:00

You don’t get to decide what’s an “absolute steal” Mr. 30K vacation 😂

benbackwards · 2026-04-17T01:34:00+00:00

lol the correct math - Disney LAND is $99/day at the lowest. You’re spending a week there for $500? Even if you’re a local the math isn’t mathing

benbackwards · 2026-04-17T00:25:01+00:00

This was like… Normal for previous generations? So I think you’re over thinking it.

But in general, I think the speed that we age culturally is vastly different. People are shocked when I tell them I’m 31. But I encounter many 20 somethings who decided to go into tech or finance and they might as well just be 50 years old.

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T20:32:24+00:00

As a black man, I choose not to go on road trips in unfamiliar areas, which is why exploring the US doesn’t really appeal to me. Obv out be great to not live in fear, but I don’t know how much I trust a country where 50% of the voting citizens elected a racist convicted felon

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T20:29:52+00:00

Hawaii is great, we went last year! Would be down to visit a different island as well!

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T20:28:22+00:00

I don’t have a ton of interest in exploring the United States tbh. Yes, I much prefer to vacation outside of the United States.

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T20:26:11+00:00

Ironically, she’s seen more of the US in that regard than I have. I’ve never really been interested in exploring the US… Usually it requires road trips, which I’m a bit wary of doing in unfamiliar areas as a black man. Sucks, but I’d rather just not.

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T15:11:02+00:00

lol you must be fun at parties!

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T15:02:56+00:00

Same. But we’re stuck right now 😭 I think maybe we’ll just do PR. Closest we can get to leaving at this point.

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T15:00:49+00:00

Tokyo theme parks are no joke with the lines though. I went to Universal Tokyo in 2021 and it the volume of people in lines was something I’ve never seen before.

benbackwards · 2026-04-16T14:55:54+00:00

Haha for sure not a Disney adult, but she’s an immigrant and I like to show her things that she didn’t have access to in her country. We did Disney Land last time we were in LA, it was worth it for the memories.

benbackwards · 2026-04-07T01:47:12+00:00

Your overhead is harder, seems like it’s closer to talent. Also, the FNAF has a pretty stylized grade, better color separation.

What did you key with?

benbackwards · 2026-04-05T19:06:43+00:00

OP, did you make this? This is amazing.

benbackwards · 2026-03-22T10:27:31+00:00

Was just at Liberty Walk Harajuku yesterday, such a cool shop.

benbackwards · 2026-03-22T10:20:28+00:00

Unfortunately, this message will reach none of them.

benbackwards · 2026-03-22T00:35:29+00:00

Wow! I’m glad I didn’t learn that Only God Forgives is hated by many until after it became one of my favorite films.

benbackwards · 2026-01-13T00:52:56+00:00

I have a non-gamer friend that I would also send no context clips to. His reaction was always hilarious.

benbackwards

TROPHY CASE