How to Set Up One Light for Portrait Lighting

If you want to create really stunning portraits, you need to understand portrait lighting. Many home photographers must work with very few lights for portraits, simply because they do not have a studio setup. Using one light is simple and inexpensive, and it can create great photos.

Instructions

1

Choose your portrait light. An umbrella light bounces light off the inside of a metallic-looking umbrella to create soft light. A light soft box goes around the bulb and provides light diffusion at the front for a softer light.

2

Choose your lighting position. For a look at the subject's entire face, point the light down from the top of the camera lens directly onto the subject's face. This is called butterfly lighting. It provides a very direct look at the subject.

To create side shadows, place the light to the side and almost behind the subject's face. This is called rim lighting. It provides a very dramatic light and dark portrait.

Short lighting means that you place the light on the far side of the face, putting some of the face in shadow. This technique makes faces look thinner.

Broad lighting means that you light the side of the face that is closest to the lens. This makes the face look fuller.

3

Move the light closer to the subject for a harder, more defined look. Move the light farther away for a softer look.

4

Use reflectors. A piece of aluminum foil or a white box reflects and moves light around a person's face, creating extra lighting effects.

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If you want to create really stunning portraits, you need to understand portrait lighting. Many home photographers must work with very few lights for portraits, simply because they do not have a studio setup. Using one light is simple and inexpensive, and it can create great photos.

Instructions

1

Choose your portrait light. An umbrella light bounces light off the inside of a metallic-looking umbrella to create soft light. A light soft box goes around the bulb and provides light diffusion at the front for a softer light.

2

Choose your lighting position. For a look at the subject's entire face, point the light down from the top of the camera lens directly onto the subject's face. This is called butterfly lighting. It provides a very direct look at the subject.

To create side shadows, place the light to the side and almost behind the subject's face. This is called rim lighting. It provides a very dramatic light and dark portrait.

Short lighting means that you place the light on the far side of the face, putting some of the face in shadow. This technique makes faces look thinner.

Broad lighting means that you light the side of the face that is closest to the lens. This makes the face look fuller.

3

Move the light closer to the subject for a harder, more defined look. Move the light farther away for a softer look.

4

Use reflectors. A piece of aluminum foil or a white box reflects and moves light around a person's face, creating extra lighting effects.

---

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