‘I am constantly striving for perfection’
Jonathan Beer
© Jonathan Beer
www.jonathanbeer.co.uk
suite of light on the diffusion
material.”
Jonathan employs the Bowens Hi-
Glide system in a highly unorthodox
way too. “You’re not supposed to do
it but I can set a light up and swing it.
Then I can have a look from the
camera and see what it’s doing as it
swings like a pendulum. The 500DX
monolight is quite light and works
well on the Hi-Glide system, thanks to
the swing arm. This arm is a piece of
pure Bowens genius. It means I can
point a light straight down and have
it perfectly balanced.”
Jonathan is a big fan of the Bowens
Pulsar radio trigger system too.
He notes: “I’ve got four. I’ve also got
Pocket Wizards and they work in
Some commentators on his work alternative and it’s just superb. Its much the same way but I am getting
think that Photoshop has played a 1/10-stop increments allow me to use much better reliability form the
large part in the final image. But that my heads down to the precise tenth Pulsars. Annoyingly the Pocket
is not the case. required. Wizard batteries will last about a
“There is a philosophy out there of I do all my liquid splash shots with the week compared to about two months
lighting conservatively and then QuadX pack – some of the splashes with the Bowens product.”
getting creative with Photoshop later” are quite violent but with this kit I can The next Beer shoot will be all about
he says. “The truth is that you can get freeze them in time and they are just coffee packaging in Moscow but
90% of the way there with Photoshop pin-sharp.” Jonathan definitely won’t be carting
but you can never get that other 10%. 20 heads across Europe.
You might not notice the difference in He adds: “The Bowens range is “I’ll just hire a studio and lighting
a magazine print but you will as soon comprehensive; plenty of grids, Wafer equipment when I get there” he says.
as you scrutinise the file.” softboxes and shaping tools - and the “But I will insist on having all the
Gemini 750 monolights are excellent. lighting I need.
Jonathan has collected a lot of kit – My favourite dish is the Maxilite – it Lighting is all I’ve got really. Unlike a
most of it Bowens –but doesn’t have has a really nice hot spot and fall off fashion photographer I can’t connect
huge budgets to throw at his when you use it close to something. with a model and really bring out a
equipment inventory. When I am shooting an iron, for moment. I just differentiate myself by
“For my budget Bowens has the best example, and need to highlight a putting more attention to the lighting.”
balance between quality and cost. shape or a ridge I can use a Maxilite
The QuadX pack isn’t cheap but it’s through a diffusion screen. I can line www.jonathanbeer.co.uk
about half the price of an equivalent up two or three of them and create a Interview by Trevor Lansdown
10 www.bowens.co.uk
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