PORTRAIT STUDIO PHOTO SHOOT

Using the modeling lights

Triggering considerations

Camera Exposure Settings

EXAMPLE IMAGE

With this option (image above) the background is dark relative to the subject so the background partially "drops out" of the image. Background shadows are controlled by having the "key" and 'Fill" lights higher than the subject and aiming down.

Two lights with umbrellas are placed facing the subject and one light with barn doors (mostly closed as shown) is "Hair" lighting the subject from behind. The "key" light (to the left) is as close to directly facing the subject as possible. The "key" light is at the same height or slightly higher than the head of the subject.

The "fill" light is further from the subject then the "key" light and also facing down.  Positioning the "fill" light will effect the facial shadows and shoulder highlights on the subject. You can also control the amount of shadow by adjusting the power of the fill light. Usually a half power setting of the fill light works well.

The "hair" light is used to create hair highlights as can be seen on our model. We used the barndoors to control a narrow width of light for the hair light. We did not want the hair light illuminating the background or the shinning into the camera lens. Even though it is out of the camera "field" the light from the hair light can cause "lens flair". 

The hair light should be behind, above and pointing down on the subject. Height and position adjustments of the hair light should be made after the key and fill lights are fixed and trial shots have been approved.

You could also use a "snoot" for a hair light instead of the barndoors.

With this option the background is "up illuminated to create a graded background, lighter at the bottom. The background light with umbrella is placed behind the subject on the floor, facing the background and aimed slightly upward. The boom mounted key light is above the subject facing down. The key light does not require a boom but the boom supported light provides more freedom of camera movement without concern of the light stand getting in the image.

The fill light is narrowed with the barndoors (so as to not illuminate the background) and set to half power. The fill light was off camera in the above setup shot.