This allows for more variations from simple and flattering to dramatic. Try adjusting the modifiers from soft to hard. This portrait lighting setup can emphasize the jawline and the cheekbones. When to Use Itīutterfly lighting is a popular but simple lighting technique. Then, angle the light down towards the subjects face at about a 45-degree angle. But, unlike an on-camera flash, rise the light stand, so the light source is above the subject’s head. Place an off-camera light directly behind the camera. This lighting brightens up both eyes and both sides of the face equally. The shape of the shadow under the nose resembles a butterfly, hence the name. These shadows help to make the subject’s face slimmer. It creates a small shadow underneath the nose and chin. And it’s an excellent stepping stone into off-camera lighting.Ī soft light that hits the subject from above. But these are difficult to angle right and tend to tip over in the wind. You can get a mount to hold the reflector on a tripod. The downside is that holding the reflector in the right position is difficult on your own. This method will allow you to get soft, angled light in your portraits without one. You might not have a radio transmitter to get your flash off the camera. You can bounce your light off a neutral coloured wall or ceiling. You don’t have to use a reflector either. This creates a look similar to butterfly lighting with an off-camera flash. Or, point the flash head up and have someone angle the reflector over your head. Try bouncing into a reflector that’s angled 45 degrees in front of the subject. With this setup, you can adjust the reflector to get different looks. Then turn the flash head until it points into the reflector. Place a reflector, so it bounces the light back to your subject. Soft portrait light that hits the subject from an angle. If you only need a catchlight, there’s nothing wrong with popping in a little on-camera flash. Use it when the sunlight or a window is already adding that dimension. This is because the light is coming from the same angle as the camera. On-camera flash doesn’t add much dimension. Without the catchlight, the subject’s eye seems boring and lacks the sparkle that makes it look alive. Catchlight adds dimension to the picture and draws the viewer’s attention to the eyes. If you were to zoom into the model’s eye, you would be able to spot the shape of the light source.
If the sun is already creating excellent lighting for portraits, a diffused on-camera flash can add one important detail: catchlights.Ĭatchlight is the light source reflected in the subject’s eye. I often use this technique on the lowest possible flash setting.
Turn the flash to manual mode and dial it down. Leave the flash on your camera, but add a diffuser.
But when the lighting in the scene is already interesting, you can perfect the portrait with a slight fill using this technique. This lighting pattern is the least interesting of the bunch. If you soften the light, these can flatter imperfections like bumps and wrinkles in the skin. The light is coming from the same direction as the camera. It eliminates under-eye shadows and adds a sparkle to the eye. Diffused On-Camera Flash The LookĪ simple diffused on-camera flash works as a fill light. Photo by Victor Miyata One Light Portrait Lighting Patterns 1. You can even get away with less by buying a used flash and budget brand gear. But the portrait lighting gear we used only cost a few hundred dollars (excluding the camera and lens). It’s easy to spend a fortune on lighting gear. A tripod or light stand with a flash bracket to hold the light.A speedlight (a strobe or video light works too).What You Need for Minimalist Portrait Lighting