Rotolight Boldly Goes...

Mark Mann, celebrity and fashion photographer, recently used the Rotolight Anova to shoot the leading actors of the latest Star Trek movie.

Star Trek Beyond, which is due for release on 22 July in the UK and US, features Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Commander Spock.

For the shoot, Mann used the Rotolight Anova LED light in a location setting during the Sundance Film Festival.

He said: "I've tested a few continuous lighting panels in the past – having used strobe for a long time – but I've never liked the feel of them. Until I found the Rotolight Anova. 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 can't 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. It's 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, using the light's 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 a professional LED light for studios and location work. It uses a bi-colour LED system with AccuColour technology for colour rendering, and dual controls for fast, tuneable colour aided by an accurate colour temperature display. It also boasts high speed sync flash capability, and no recycle time, making it ideal for use in traditional photography workflows.

"From a practical perspective, I've 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," Mann continued. "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.

"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."

Image credit: Mark Mann Photography, for Sundance Film Festival.

www.rotolight.com

www.markmannphoto.com

(JP/MH)