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Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Pete H 		 

One Light Portrait


 
 
I've been emailed by a number of BP novice members saying "I only have one light source or umbrella, can I still get a decent portrait?" Sooooo; since I really can't respond to everyone personally, here ya' go. This is a very simple setup with pretty good results given the minimalist approach.

The following was shot with (one umbrella) white shoot through, on cam pop up flash, and a large fill card. That's it.

Wish I could draw the setup, would be easier, but I'll try to explain it if those with limited equip wish to try.
This was taken with the Nikon D-70, so your mileage may vary. ;)

Ok; specifics:

Shot in RAW format, manual cam setting.
ISO 200
F/L=90mm
1/80th shutter speed @ f/11
Distance to subject approx 12 feet.
Flash set to manual @ 1/16 output.
White shoot thru umbrella approx 45 degrees offset.
300 W/s strobe @ 1/2 output.
40 inch white reflector card as fill, opposite unbrella side. 2-3 feet distant.

Here's the trick: You don't want the pop up flash to contribute to the portrait. Use a piece of aluminum foil to block the pop up flash, but "spill" enough light to trigger the optical slave on the umbrella strobe.

This shot was taken against a white wall. The wall was "photo-shopped" out later with the new background (made in PS)and layered in. Easy to do as there is a lot of contrast between subject & wall..AND, there was no "hair" to deal with. That's another subject. ;)

As the subject was shot in RAW format, the only adjustments I made were the following:

1) Saturation +12 percent.
2) Unsharp mask 8 percent.
3) One or two blemish cleanups.
4) Black level slider brought in slightly..cutoff below 7.

I preferred the white shoot thru umbrella as I feel it is softer than using the silver reflector.
F/11 is kinda' important as you will get a cleaner and sharper image compared to shooting wide open. Simply adjust your strobe output till you are near this F-stop. Anything above f/8 will be ok.
You could meter both sides of the subjects face to get the proper lighting ratio, but this is the minimalist approach, and I assume you may not have a flash meter.
A little trial and error will get you there.
The reflector card is simple "foamex", purchased at nearly any art supply store.

Hope this helps some who feel they need $2,000 of lights, multiple umbrellas, softboxes etc..etc...to get decent results..You don't.
Sure, a lot of cool equip is cool; and will make your portraits even better, but good results are possible with a limited budget.

All the Best,

Pete


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January 22, 2006

 

Pete H 		  The original image is considerably sharper. BP does not allow high resolution uploads.


Pete


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January 22, 2006

 

Pete H 		  PS...The low res allowed by BP is why you see no portraits in my gallery. LOL

Pete


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January 22, 2006

 

Denyse Clark 		  Thanks pete, I'm in the "oh no do I need tons of studio lights" boat right now, so this gives me some hope. The PS stuff I'm still trying to figure out, but it's nice to see good light results w/ limited equipment.

(Hey, did you see the tread from the girl trying to fix the background of the 15 person portrait? She could use your help...)


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January 23, 2006

 

Justin G. 		 
 
 
This portrait you can do with only one light as well. Yes on the diagram it shows a hairlight but you can count that out, you don't really need it. Plus I'm not sure if I did it right b/c I see very very minimal evidence of it. Hopefully the upload works.


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January 23, 2006

 

Pete H 		  Thanks Justin,

Pretty much what I had in mind except a inexpensive umbrella where you used a softbox.
Also, the D-70 on it's own does not have a sync socket, so I thought my little workaround for this might be helpful to others..
Thanks for the diagram, that is what I wanted to convey.

Pete


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January 23, 2006

 

Justin G. 		  I just don't have umbrellas. Yeah softboxes are pricey but either will work in the generic scenario. Obviously they are different and do different things but I really don't know how umbrellas work, I've never used them. yes I understand what you mean by your sync socket. I actually had to do this last night on the dice shots in my gallery. I need the on-camera flash to trigger the strobes but I was close enough that even at minimal power, it was affecting the image. I took one of my reflectors that connects to the monolite and held it to the on-camera flash and directed it away from the image but towards the softbox. the things you need to concoct! lol. you're image is very nice, I would've guessed 2 lights minimal with the background light. nice work.


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January 23, 2006

 

Pete H 		  Thanks again Justin,

It is interesting what can be done with minimal lighting..and, probably a good way for many beginners to start.
I think it teaches the basics of portraiture, light ratios, f/stops, how to use a reflector.

I've never been an advocate of telling someone just starting out that they need 5 lights, gobos, scrims, multiple pwr strobes, refectors, umbrellas, softboxes etc...
I think for someone starting out; they will get frustrated trying to control many light sources w/o ever learned the basics.
The setup you were nice enough to illustrate, and the one I essentially used in the above photo, is a great way to start and learn light.

I've seen people with multiple light sources who can't even get the result here, essentially because they feel all their equipment will cover a multitude of photographic sins..It will not..quite the contrary, it will probably be worse.


Pete


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January 23, 2006

 

Justin G. 		  HAHA Pete you just described the last two months of my life. As if anyone cares but there's a good example, lol.

My wife and I consolidated a couple loans and added on about $2K in which she allowed me to get my lights (kinda a C-mas present!) anyways I went and got some Alienbees. 4 to be exact, two 1600's and two 800's. My first couple rolls I was using key, fill, BG and hair. Mind you I've barely ever done a portrait before, let alone studio stuff. After a couple months of trial and error I'm learning that I'm getting better results with my softbox and a reflector (possibly some hair light). lol, all those lights and I use 1 or 2 on a "regular" basis now. Did I waste the other two? Hell no. 2 reasons. #1: backup lights (nice to have around). #2: it's not like i'm never gonna learn, i'll get it down eventually! lol (hopefully).

anyways I've just discovered Clamshell lighting and I just got my 47" octabox in the mail (it's huge and great!) and now i'm waiting on a little ebay dough so I can get my boom arm so I can do this lighting.

P.S. To everyone reading...Clamshell lighting is also possible with 1 light source. yes it's preferably a large light source, but i'm sure you can make do. Google it. I'm here at work where a majority of sites are blocked but I'll look for the site I have bookmarked at home. I'm really drawn to the style and want to do some, I just need to get my boom arm for flexibility! sempre gumbi!


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January 23, 2006

 

Justin G. 		  Wow that was easier than I thought! Everyone click on this link and check out Clamshell Lighting 1, 2, & 3. You'll be amazed at the beautiful style and it's simplicity.


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January 23, 2006

 

Jay A. Grantham 		  Pete, thanks for taking the time to post "the lesson".


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January 23, 2006

 

Andrew Laverghetta 		  That's for this info here! I've only done some makeshift hotlight stuff so this will give me a good place to start when I hopefully sell some stuff and get one (or two) lights.


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January 23, 2006

 
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