Pixiq

Learning photography lighting techniques can seem daunting at first. That’s why learning the 3 light set up is so important. It’s a great foundation for learning how to manipulate light and really start to shape shadows like the professional photographers. Eventually you will want to start experimenting with different lighting ratios and using more lights and reflectors and getting all crazy like a strobist. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with adding more lights, I’ve personally always gone with the mantra that “less is more”.

Less light? Absolutely!

One of the ways I was able to distinguish myself from the rest of the portrait studios in town was to create artistic portraiture by using dramatic lighting techniques. This basically meant using only one light and a reflector. Occasionally I would use a background light or hair light, but I rarely used the fill light.

The trick is to pay close attention to the light fall off and the shadows. That’s where all the drama is!

The image above, titled Momentous, was taken almost three years ago when my wife was pregnant with our first little monster. It’s easily one of two images that has spawned the most “How did you do that?” type questions.

Truthfully it isn’t as difficult to achieve as one would think. This only involves one light source. Here is the diagram (try to imagine that the little model person is pregnant).

The biggest tip with this photograph involves the light source. I used an AlienBee B400 with the 32″x40″ Large Softbox. This really creates a great even light source from top to bottom with wonderfully soft light fall off. In an image like this you don’t need your light source to be wide, you need it to be tall. In fact most of the light was pointing beside my wife not directly at her. This helps prevent lens flare and provides great body landscaping. This type of lighting technique is used often in nude landscapes.

One of the hardest aspects about doing a photograph like this is aiming your light source just right. I really wanted to capture her entire right arm which involved moving the light stand around a bit and having my wife hold her arm out at a slight angle so the light would hit it perfectly while not destroying the perspective of her arm.

It’s the details that matter the most when it comes to creating that timeless image.