Clamshell lighting, often associated with glowing, high-key portraits, sees an innovative twist in Lindsay Adler's latest tutorial. This approach contrasts with traditional uses, aiming to sculpt features with stark shadows rather than soften them.
Coming to you from Lindsay Adler Photography, this insightful video reveals an unexpected method for using clamshell lighting. Instead of the usual bright and soft effect, Adler demonstrates how to create a sculpted look with pronounced shadows. The main light, a Profoto D2 with a 5-degree grid, focuses a narrow beam on the subject's face, ensuring precise illumination and deep shadows. Below, a strip softbox with a grid provides subtle fill light, lifting the darkest areas without eliminating the shadows entirely. This setup contrasts with the typical high-key clamshell lighting, making it useful for adding drama to your portraits.
Adler's technique includes a third light behind the subject, a bare strobe with a gel. This light, aimed low, creates a gradient effect on the background, adding depth and separation between the subject and the backdrop.
The hard light from the 5-degree grid highlights the model's features, while the fill light from the strip softbox maintains just enough detail in the shadows. The background light adds a subtle glow that enhances the overall composition. This method proves that even hard light can be flattering and effective in portrait photography, especially when combined with thoughtful post-processing to enhance skin texture and tone.
Adler also shows how minimal post-processing can achieve a polished final image. She tweaks the white balance, enhances skin tones, and uses Photoshop's generative fill to refine hair edges. This balanced approach demonstrates that getting the lighting right in-camera can minimize the need for extensive editing, saving time while still producing high-quality results. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Adler.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
