Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers

light can be be created using any light source (electronic flash, studio lights,

etc.), but creating fill light with a reflector is also very popular because the re-

sults are easy to control. For some examples of creating fill light with reflec-

tors, see pages 70–71. To see fill light created with electronic flash, see page

65. When adding a fill-light source to your setup, be aware that this source
    can create a second catchlight in the model’s eyes. If this is objectionable to
    you, you’ll need to remove it in Photoshop.

Hair Light.

The hair light is a light, usually a small one, that is placed above and slightly

behindthemodeltoaddhighlightsonthehairandhelpseparateherfromthe

background. This light must be carefully controlled so that it does not spill

onto the model’s face or shine directly into the camera lens, causing contrast-

degrading flare. See images3-8and3-9(pages 48–49) for an example.

Background Light(s).

The background light, as the name implies, is used to illuminate the back-

groundsothatthesubjectwillstandoutfromit.Whenusingonebackground

light, it is usually placed on a small stand directly behind the subject (blocked

from the view of the camera). In other setups—especially when the back-

ground needs to be evenly lit—a pair of flanking background lights are used,

directed at the background from either side of the set.

Accent Light(s).

Accent lights, also called kickers, are extra lights used to add highlights to the

sides of the face or body (see image3-10). This helps draw the eye where you

want it and adds a greater feeling of depth in the image. These lights are

placed behind and to the side(s) of the subject, so they catch just the edge of

the subject and create brilliant highlights. As with any backlighting source,

you need to be careful not to create lens flare when adding accent lights.

Lighting in the Studio.

The following image series shows both the separate and the combined effect

of the individual studio lights. This is only a sample setup; you will develop

your own methods and style as you shoot. If you want to learn quickly, shoot

your own series of photos with the various lights firing alone. This is a great

way to learn about the qualities and purpose of each light, as well as the

proper placement of each.

In image3-11(next page), a barebulb studio strobe was placed as close to

thebackgroundaspossible.(Becareful:thiscancauseseamlesspapertocatch

fire!) This light is difficult to meter so expect some trial and error to be in-

volved in getting the correct exposure (here, a reading on the wall about two

LIGHT PLACEMENT 51

Accent lights, also

called kickers, are extra

lights used to add

highlights to the sides

of the face or body.