If You Only Have Two Lights For Portrait Work ...

[slejhamer]

What do you think of this setup?

http://www.pbase.com/image/31635408.jpg

I am thinking about it as an alternative to the more commonly used key + fill to the side of the camera. The context is classical portraiture, corporate headshots, etc.

Would using the 2nd light on the bg be better for separation of subject? I like the look achieved by hairlights, but am open to suggestions for improvement.

Also, suggestions on the height of the reflector and/or hairlight would be appreciated.

[slin100]

You might want to check out Scott Smith's book, Studio Lighting Made Simple. It has several diagrams for a two-light setup. Go to his website (http://www.lightingmagic.com) to purchase it. I have no personal affiliation with Scott Smith.

I don't have the book in front of me, but I think your picture is one option. One variation is to have the key light can do double-duty by feathering some of the light onto the background.

Other options include directly illuminating the background with the second light and using a second reflector as a hair light. The final option is to use the second light as fill, a reflector as a hair light and feathering the key onto the background as in the first option. I think that covers all the possibilities. Now, it's up to you to determine what works best for you with your equipment. :D

[chris.bailey]

Thats a very common setup but a lot will depend on the models clothes versus the background colour as to whether you get decent seperation or not. When I have tried this with a soft box on the keylight I have found that the key light is so soft that the light reflected is extremely soft making it hard to keep a decent lighting ratio. I tend therefore to go for a white brolly key light so as to throw a bit more onto the reflector.

[evilenglishman]

if only using 2 lights i wouldnt bother with a hairlight. Instead I would use the back light with a brolly and move the softbox further around the side of the subject.

[slejhamer]

Thanks for the info!

Slin that looks like a great site; I'll check out the book info too.

Chris that's very informative regarding the strength of the soft-box light hitting the reflector. Definitely something to keep in mind.

Evil, that sounds like a good layout too. Another one to play with! Thanks.