ROTOLIGHT BOLDLY GS

Leading fashion and celebrity photographer Mark Mann recently relied on the flexibility and performance of the Rotolight Anova an LED location and studio light developed by the award-winning British LED lighting manufacturer Rotolight to shoot the leading actors of the latest Star Trek instalment.

Due for release in the US and UK on 22 July, Star Trek Beyond once again features Chris Pine as the iconic Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto, Commander Spock.

With editorial work featured in publications such as Esquire, Mens Health, Billboard, and a portfolio including shoots with Al Pacino, Keira Knightley, Eddie Redmayne, Barack Obama, Benedict Cumberbatch and Rihanna, Mann used the Rotolight Anova LED light in a location setting to capture the two Star Trek actors during the Sundance Film Festival.

Ive tested a few continuous lighting panels in the past having used strobe for a long time but Ive never liked the feel of them. Until I found the Rotolight Anova, Mann says. I shoot exclusively with Leica so the shots are very sharp, and I was looking for a light that would deliver that level of detail.

I still cant put my finger on why the Anova is so good; the lights are really innovative and beautifully made, but more than that there is something about the soft wrap of light, its versatility, that gives it a different feel, he adds. Its absolutely beautiful and gives you very a filmic feel. They are not too hot, and the 50 spread means the light is very controlled so it is comfortable for the subject, too.

Mann also used the Anova to capture a series of photographs for the Sundance Film Festival. He used Anovas modular construction to create different lighting set-ups, including a stack of three and a giant ring light using six modules.

The Rotolight Anova Pro, the latest product release in the series, is the ultimate professional LED light for studios and location work. It uses a bi-colour LED system with AccuColour technology for exceptional colour rendering, and dual controls for fast, tuneable colour aided by an accurate colour temperature display. Known for its powerful, yet soft light output, its round shape creates Rotolights signature catch light effect, making it ideal for portrait photography. Anova PRO is also the worlds first professional LED light with high speed sync flash capability, and no recycle time, making it ideal for use in traditional photography workflows.

Talking of the practical requirements of a celebrity shoot like Sundance, Mann says: You have a lot of different faces, types of people, skin tones and ages coming through very quickly. One light set-up doesnt always work. Sometimes you quickly need a softer light, sometimes you have a very interesting face and what to show all the detail.

With Anovas as both key and fill, you can move light to wherever you want to get the desired effect and see what youre actually shooting, he explains. Anovas lightweight design and portability makes life a lot easier, especially on the boom arm.

From a practical perspective, Ive always been more comfortable at looking at the task at hand and working out what type of lights I need to hire that will suit the job. With the Anova, it is the first time I have actually ever wanted to own and keep them, which is quite something considering 90% of the time I use three or four of them on a shoot.

As well as giving him the spread of light he sought, Mann adds another reason he chooses to work with Anovas: The fact that the lights are beautiful makes me look good too! The type of people I shoot have seen and done everything but having something different that creates a conversation, like the Anova, is great. And at Sundance I shot a lot of directors and they were very interested in the lights, while all the actors were incredibly comfortable under the lights.

LINK:	https://www.kitplus.com/news/ROTOLIGHT_BOLDLY_GOES/14370.html...
	See more stories from tvbay

Most recent headlines