› ›kelbyone.com073this kind of look. Creating dramatic portraits is easy using
this method. (I cover this in detail in my class on KelbyOne.
Another plug!)
LIGHTING PATTERNS
Here are my two favorite, no-fail, mobile lighting patterns: cross
light and wedge light. They’re both two-light patterns; however,
given the right conditions, you can use the sun as the accent
light. Both can be used with bare flash or modifiers, or a combi-
nation of both bare and modified flash. So no excuses; get out
there and try these lighting patterns. You’ll be glad you did!Cross light: This pattern is simply two lights (or one light and
the sun) facing each other along the same axis with the sub-
ject sandwiched between them. This arrangement provides a
key light with directional light and an accent that adds dimen-
sion. Rotate this pattern around your subject, placing the key
light on the right or left, with the accent light always on the
opposite side.››LIGHT ITMichael CorsentinoMichael Corsentino Michael CorsentinoUnderexposing the ambient light by one or two stops and
using flash to properly expose your foreground subject is a
great way to create dramatic portraits.Here’s an example of cross lighting. I’m using two Canon
600EX-RT Speedlites. The accent light has a 1/2 cut of CTO
(color temperature orange) gel on it to mimic the setting
afternoon sun and warm up the model’s hair.Cross lighting doesn’t always have to be created with
two flashes. Here I’m using one Profoto B1 as my key light
and on the opposite side I’m using the sun as my accent
light to create a highlight on my model’s hair.