When you start doing portraits, the general advice is to learn to position the light. Depending on the lighting equipment you can get different images.
The result will be influenced by the light quality, quantity, color, and direction.
For the purpose of this article I am focused only on light position, a number of the light sources and additional light modifiers like softboxes and reflectors. I present you six different scenarios. Watch the animation below to see how the light source and its position is influencing the results.
In the studio, we decided to take photographs with a black background to show the light behavior. We asked Michel to be our model. Her dark hairs are perfect for this exercise.
1. One light source with large softbox Octabox (150cm) – key light.
Description:
One light source (Profoto B1 – 500Ws) with a big light modifier (Octabox 150cm) is positioned in front of the model, behind the photographer. It acts as the main (key) light.
Photography details:
– symmetrical illumination of the face
– soft but visible shadows below the eyes and chin
– shadows in the buccal corridors
– lack of the head contour
– light illumination of the face drops down proximally from the midline
2. One light source with large softbox Octabox (150cm) + Eyelighter reflector
Description:
One light source (Profoto B1 – 500Ws) with a big light modifier (Octabox 150cm) is positioned in front of the model, behind the photographer. In front of the Michel, I positioned the Eyelighter® (Westcott) reflector to fill with the light reflection the shadows below the chin and eyes.
Photography details:
– symmetrical illumination of the face
– very gentle shadows below the chin
– a beautiful reflection from the reflector in the eyes
– lack of the head contour
– equal illumination of the front of the face
3. Two strip softboxes positioned behind the head of the model will help to isolate the dark-haired person from the black background.
Description:
Two light sources (Profoto B1 – 500Ws) with strip softboxes (30x120cm) are positioned behind the model on the left and right side. The light direction is 45 degrees. The power output should be reduced to the minimum level to avoid overexposure.
– symmetrical illumination of the contour of the head
– lack of the front face illumination
4. Two lights – one large softbox (150cm) + 1 stipe softbox (contra) positioned behind the model on the left + Eyelighter reflector
Description:
One light source (Profoto B1 – 500Ws) with a big light modifier (Octabox 150cm) is positioned in front of the model, behind the photographer. In front the Eyelighter® (Westcott) reflector is placed, to fill with the light reflection the shadows below the chin and eyes. Behind the head of the model on the left side, I used one light with strip softbox to gently illuminate the right side of the head contour.
Photography details:
– symmetrical illumination of the front of the face
– very gentle shadows below the chin
– a beautiful reflection from the reflector in the eyes
– a right head contour and shoulder is gently illuminated – you can notice an isolation of the model from the background.
5. Two lights – one large softbox (150cm) + 1 stipe softbox (contra) positioned behind the model on the right+ Eyelighter reflector
Description:
One light source (Profoto B1 – 500Ws) with a big light modifier (Octabox 150cm) is positioned in front of the model, behind the photographer. In front the Eyelighter® (Westcott) reflector is placed, to fill with the light reflection the shadows below the chin and eyes. Behind the head of the model on the right side, the light source with strip softbox was used.
Photography details:
– symmetrical illumination of the front of the face
– very gentle shadows below the chin
– a beautiful reflection from the reflector in the eyes
– a left head contour and shoulder is gently illuminated – you can notice an isolation of the model from the background.
6. Three lights – one large softbox (150cm) + 2 stipe softboxes (contra) + Eyelighter reflector
Description:
One light source (Profoto B1 – 500Ws) with a big light modifier (Octabox 150cm) is positioned in front of the model, behind the photographer. In front the Eyelighter® (Westcott) reflector is placed, to fill with the light reflection the shadows below the chin and eyes. Behind and on both sides of the head of the model, the light sources with strip softboxes were used.
Photography details:
– symmetrical illumination of the front of the face
– very gentle shadows below the chin
– a beautiful reflection from the reflector in the eyes
– a symmetrical illumination of the head contour and shoulders helps to isolate the model from the background.
SUMMARY:
For the portrait photography in the studio environment, we can use more than one light source with additional light modifiers and reflectors. A positioning of the light and understanding its behavior is crucial for achieving good results.
The key light may be supplemented with the contour lights to isolate the model from the black background.
You can find it interesting:
Portrait with Speedlight