Lighting is the backbone of portrait photography. Whether you’re shooting beauty headshots or more dramatic portraits, understanding how to manipulate light can make all the difference. The best part? You don’t need a complicated setup to achieve professional results.
Coming to you from Prince Meyson, this practical video explores two effective lighting setups: one using a single light source and another with two lights. The first setup showcases a single 1,000-watt continuous light with a Fresnel lens. Positioned at a 45-degree angle above the model, this light creates hard shadows and a sunlit appearance. Adjusting the beam to focus its intensity sharpens the effect, but keep in mind the heat and brightness can be tough on your subject, requiring frequent breaks. To make the most of this setup, your shooting environment plays a critical role. White walls can reflect light to soften shadows, but a darker room will produce a different effect altogether.
In contrast, the second setup incorporates two light sources to achieve a high-key look. The main light, an AD600 Pro strobe, is paired with its standard reflector, directed downward for precise illumination. A secondary light—an AD300 Pro in a large umbrella—adds separation by softly lighting the model's hair and shoulders, while also brightening the background. This configuration is ideal for skincare and makeup shots, thanks to its clean, polished results. The flexibility of this setup allows you to alter the background color easily during post-processing, giving you more creative freedom.
This video emphasizes the importance of modifiers and their impact on light quality. For instance, switching to a medium-sized softbox transforms the light, producing broader, softer highlights compared to the harder look of a bare bulb. Such adjustments can dramatically change the mood of your image while keeping the setup simple. The video also touches on how these setups can accommodate various lenses and settings, including using an 85mm or 100mm lens to achieve the desired compression and detail in portraits. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Meyson.
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!"
