Lighting full-length or three-quarter body shots can be tricky but is essential for creating polished portraits, whether for business or creative use. These setups need to balance even illumination across the subject while preserving depth and natural shadows. Achieving this doesn’t always require expensive equipment, and understanding how to adapt based on your resources can help you create stunning results.
Coming to you from Karl Taylor with Visual Education, this insightful video explores various lighting methods for full-length shots. One approach uses large softboxes to create broad, soft light that flatters the subject and naturally illuminates the background. For example, Taylor demonstrates how a 120x180 cm softbox paired with a white floor and reflector can effectively light a business portrait. The wraparound lighting softens shadows, which is particularly flattering for older subjects or those requiring a gentle, welcoming look. He highlights the importance of fill light through simple tools like reflectors, proving that achieving balance doesn’t always mean adding more lights.
For those on a budget, Taylor shares an ingenious solution involving v-flats—large white panels positioned in a corner. With a bare-bulb light aimed into the v, the light spreads across the panels, creating an enormous soft light source. Adding a “lid” to this arrangement helps trap stray light, ensuring even reflection. This setup mimics the effect of high-end softboxes for a fraction of the cost. The simplicity and affordability of this technique make it particularly appealing if you’re working in smaller spaces like a garage studio.
Taylor also examines more complex setups, like using a large studio wall as a reflector. By firing multiple lights at a white wall, he creates a massive bounce source, evenly lighting the subject and scene. For a fashion shot with added dimension, Taylor incorporates an octabox for overhead fill, ensuring the model’s face and upper body are highlighted while maintaining soft shadows across the frame. These techniques highlight how large-scale lighting can create a high-end look, even with relatively simple modifications.
The video doesn’t stop at soft lighting. Taylor demonstrates a striking setup for a dynamic shot on a gray background. Using three umbrellas as key lights and a fourth as a backlight, he creates a sparkly yet cohesive lighting effect. The overlapping umbrellas produce a unified light source, while the backlight adds separation and depth. This method is ideal for energetic portraits, like capturing movement or showcasing texture in fabrics. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Taylor.
