Don't move your lights!

Hi everyone, today I am looking at using rectangular type softboxes to light our subject, with a third light to illuminate the head. OK, so my title was a little provocative, you should always light for your subject. However, once your lights are set-up, moving your subject can make the most of your lighting.

In the following images the same lighting setup was used and remained in a fixed position, only the subject was moved to create more modelling on the face.Two large rectangular softboxes measuring 1m x 1.5metres were placed either side of, and relatively close to our subject.

When you position a light source close to your subject you can create a more rapid fall off of light depending on how you pose your subject.In this case the subject stands towards the front edge of the box, that is the edge nearest to the camera so the light falls off towards the front of the face.

Standing in the centre of the boxes would have a wrap around lighting for a flat light with little to no modelling. This is where an efficient softbox comes into its own when the light measured at the edge is the same as a centre measurement meaning you can move your subject to create softer or harder lighting while maintaining exposure, tone and colour temperature.

The difference in the lighting between the two images is purely down to posing of your subject. The first image has an even spread of light from both boxes with the same amount of fall off while this second image has our subject turning away from the right hand light and slightly more forward feathering the light across the cheeks.

Our third light is positioned above our subject and you can see that as our subject moves the light hitting his crown is consistent and required no repositioning.

Using a brolly on a boom above your subject creates an even pool of descending light. In this example I used a 105cm silver brolly which creates a pool of light much bigger than itself and allows the subject freedom to move around and maintain a consistent exposure. I chose a silver brolly to add contrast and definition to the hair.

I will look in more detail at using an umbrella as a hair light in future posts.

Credits :

Photography: Steve Howdle

Model: Tony

Makeup Artist: Leanne Shaw

Client: Forfex