Mastering the art of studio lighting can enhance your portrait photography. This helpful video walks you through setup and actual filming.
Coming to you from Prince Meyson, this informative video demonstrates how to set up lighting for a skin care photo shoot. Meyson begins by explaining the idea behind the shoot: to capture close-ups that are natural, clear, and aesthetically pleasing. The goal is to highlight the model’s skin in a way that looks both professional and effortlessly beautiful. This lays the foundation for understanding the importance of each lighting decision.
Meyson’s detailed guide to lighting setups provides valuable insights into his process. He used one Canon EOS R5 Pair with one Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. This lens is Meyson’s top choice for close-up photography thanks to the sharpness and compression it provides. For the main light, he uses one Godox AD300Pro with one Rotalux Octabox 24 inches, providing soft, even light. The V-flat serves as a fill light, bouncing light back onto the model’s face to reduce shadows and create a balanced look.
Meyson emphasizes the importance of playing around with lighting until you find what works best for your particular setup. He notes that providing exact source settings is not helpful because factors such as lens choice, model’s skin tone, and lighting distance all affect the final result. This encourages you to experiment and adjust based on your own conditions.
For the second look, Meyson kept the same setup but adjusted the background lighting. He uses a large Octabox aimed at the background to brighten it up and add depth to the image. This change helped create a more dynamic and visually interesting photo. Consistency in key light placement ensures the model’s face remains the focus.
In the third setup, Meyson introduces a different approach by illuminating the light. This technique involves adjusting the angle of the light so that the edge of the light source, rather than the center, illuminates the subject. This method produces softer light with a slight blur, ideal for full-body photography. Meyson reflects light onto the white ceiling, creating a bright and airy atmosphere in the studio. This setup accentuates the model while maintaining a soft, natural feel.
For the final look, Meyson combined elements from previous settings. He used the same key light and fill light configuration but added ambient light by shining another source onto the ceiling. This creates an even brighter and more uniform environment, perfect for achieving a striking look. The attention to detail in each setting shows how subtle changes can dramatically impact the overall image. Watch the video above for the full scoop on Meyson.
If you want to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out »Face lighting: Lighting for portraits and portraits With Peter Hurley!”
