Lighting an adult

[private]

What is the best lighting set-up to photograph an adult female? She wants some head shots. I have two AB 400's, two reflectors and the 430 exII - (Yes, I KNOW I will not need all of that )

What I am thinking is feathering the light, thats for sure - but should the light come from above (is that best) or straight on? should the filler light be 1/2 power of the main light...

She knows this is my first head shot and she still wants me to do it, so.... Oh, and its for her blog.

[lissykeeper]

Pat,

I would probably do a sort of modified clamshell lighting scheme with the main light coming from above and slightly off axis and the fill coming from below. But here is an awesome blog from strobist about Social Media headshots.

[private]

Leona - THANKS!!!!!!! This should be fun - lots of good info there - especially about the posing, stuff I never thought of.

[Benji]

Virtually every adult female I have ever photographed has wanted to look:

1. Younger than what she is.

2. Thinner than what she is.

3. Prettier than what she is.

She does NOT want to look:

1. Fat.

2. Wrinkled.

3. Boring or dowdy.

So it is up to you to fulfill her expectations. You will make her look fat by using flat lighting, you will make her look wrinkled by using hard lighting, and you will make her look boring by posing her straight on and with no leaning, tilting, tipping or leaning of her torso her head etc. Make sure her make up is well done. Make sure your fill light is 2 stops less than the main light. Make sure the hair light is at least the same power as the fill light. Make sure all lights are softened with a softbox or umbrella. Use short lighting ONLY (unless she is anorexic) and tilt her head to the high shoulder. Have her wear long sleeves with a high neckline and pretty jewelry. Make sure the main light is not so high she has raccoon eyes, or so low that the nose shadow runs straight across from her nose.

Benji

[private]

Well the long sleeves part will not work here - its too hot for that - she plans on changing her portrait with the seasons. She is very thin - I think your advise works really well for a corporate head shots but this is for a blog, so its a bit more casual in nature. No stuffy businesses here!

She just sent an email asking about taking a headshot outside by her cherry tree...oh boy...And its spozed to be SUNNY!

[Benji]

Originally Posted by private

Well the long sleeves part will not work here - its too hot for that - she plans on changing her portrait with the seasons. She is very thin - I think your advise works really well for a corporate head shots but this is for a blog, so its a bit more casual in nature. No stuffy businesses here!

She just sent an email asking about taking a headshot outside by her cherry tree...oh boy...And its spozed to be SUNNY!

Good posing and good lighting will make for a good portrait regardless of whether the shot is a "stuffy business portrait" or a casual head shot for a blog.

If the subject insists having her portrait done beside the tree, tell her it MUST be done in the late evening so you won't have to fight the sunshine. If she refuses, shoot her in the bright sunshine as she requests but tell her she probably will not like it. Then aftre she sees the image maybe she will do it as you have suggested.

Benji