What Do You Use for Hairlight?

[SYS]

I've been using just a single Speedlite for my home-made studio, and I'm thinking about asking Santa this year to get me a second flash to be used as a hairlight. My questions are: 1) what flash would you recommend? (I'm currently using the 580EX as the main, triggered by 2 PWII Trasceivers, one on the 580EX and one on the camera hotshoe). I assume I need to get one more PWII for triggering the hairlight; and 2) what support system do you use for the hairlight, i.e., lightstand, boom, or some DIY stuff?

[StanNJ1]

If Santa is in the giving mood ask him to bring you a 580EXII. It's more than you'll need for a hairlight but you can always use it as a main or backup when not doing hairlight duty. You will need another PW and this Boom & Stand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272945-REG/Impact_3218_Multiboom_Light_Stand_Reflector_Holder .html). Use caution when using the boom. It is a good idea to use some sort of counterweight to prevent tipping.

[Ukuleleman]

I have two stand lamps but my mind is going in the two flash units direction.
I have a question though, forgive me if its stupid, I'm not brilliant with flash, but if you have 580EX and say you got another unit 580/430, why would you need separate triggers? doesn't the 580 act as master and the 'other' flash unit as a slave?

[nismosr]

When lighting the hair part .. do you shoot through an Umbrella or just the flash alone ?

[brianch]

i'd use a snoot or a small beauty dish.

[SYS]

If Santa is in the giving mood ask him to bring you a 580EXII. It's more than you'll need for a hairlight but you can always use it as a main or backup when not doing hairlight duty. You will need another PW and this Boom & Stand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272945-REG/Impact_3218_Multiboom_Light_Stand_Reflector_Holder .html). Use caution when using the boom. It is a good idea to use some sort of counterweight to prevent tipping.

Thank you for the response with the link to the Impact Boom and Stand. I like Impact, so I'll probably order one. I was also thinking about the 580EXII. For one thing, I LOVE the 580EX. Second thing, I dropped it once and while all's well so far, I don't know when it's gonna die on me so I could use another one.

[SYS]

When lighting the hair part .. do you shoot through an Umbrella or just the flash alone ?

Good question. I forgot to ask that in the original post. Anyone with some input on this?

[SYS]

I have a question though, forgive me if its stupid, I'm not brilliant with flash, but if you have 580EX and say you got another unit 580/430, why would you need separate triggers? doesn't the 580 act as master and the 'other' flash unit as a slave?

I'm no good with such set up issues, but as far as I know -- as told me by other knowledgeable forum members -- you do need one for the camera hotshoe and one each per light source. So one camera and two light sources = 3 PW's. (But I'm hoping I'm completely wrong, so I don't have to buy another PW.) ;)

[RP33]

How do you set up your hairlight. Where do you put it?

[GyRob]

iv just finshed a shoot with a hair light it is placed to the right of the model aprox 8ft away and around 1ft higher than her, i had a snoot on the studio flash for this one.
it really is a matter of taste as to how bright you want it .
this is just about right for me.
Rob.

[SYS]

Very nicely done, Rob.

[GyRob]

When lighting the hair part .. do you shoot through an Umbrella or just the flash alone ?
a snoot or honycomb grid is best as it makes the beam narrow so less chance of flare hitting the lens also it lets you control were the light falls.
A brolly would send light all over the model NOT just the hair.
Rob.

[StanNJ1]

I'm no good with such set up issues, but as far as I know -- as told me by other knowledgeable forum members -- you do need one for the camera hotshoe and one each per light source. So one camera and two light sources = 3 PW's. (But I'm hoping I'm completely wrong, so I don't have to buy another PW.) ;)

You can use two PWs for this setup. One PW attaches to camera shoe. Second PW triggers first flash. And you can slave the second flash to fire as well without a third PW. However, the flash to flash communication is done with line of sight which has it's disadvantages.

[SYS]

You can use two PWs for this setup. One PW attaches to camera shoe. Second PW triggers first flash. And you can slave the second flash to fire as well without a third PW. However, the flash to flash communication is done with line of sight which has it's disadvantages.

Wow, that's good to know. I'm happy I was wrong. :) Thanks!

[Hermes]

If you want a specular, high-contrast hairlight, use a reflector & honeycomb grid

If you want a more subtle hairlight use a small softbox/strip box with a grid.

A beauty dish & grid can also work well as a hairlight but I doubt it would be an effective solution for most given the cost & weight compared to the other options.

Far more important than what you use for a hairlight is how you use it - i.e. getting the placement, power and colour temperature right for each subject whilst also making sure that the lens and the model's face are properly shielded from the light.

[SYS]

If you want a specular, high-contrast hairlight, use a reflector & honeycomb grid

If you want a more subtle hairlight use a small softbox/strip box with a grid.

A beauty dish & grid can also work well as a hairlight but I doubt it would be an effective solution for most given the cost & weight compared to the other options.

Far more important than what you use for a hairlight is how you use it - i.e. getting the placement, power and colour temperature right for each subject whilst also making sure that the lens and the model's face are properly shielded from the light.

Thanks for your helpful tips!

[Hermes]

Thanks for your helpful tips!


No problem.

A couple of other things to remember in general - blonde hair blows out very easily so keep the power low (equal to your key-light is a good starting point) and avoid using small reflectors and grids unless you like the 'white-hot', 'blown out in patches' look.

If you buy a modifier to use for hair-lighting, make sure you can gel it properly. 1/2 CTO is a good place to start with brunettes. With blondes you can use mild CTOs for a warmer feel or mild CTBs for a more platinum/light-haired look. A strong CTB often works well with redheads as it adds definition and cooler tones so the mass of red isn't as overpowering.

[NVcameraman]

For back ground and hair lights for individual portraits you can go cheap and easy. I use something like these and and simple clip lamp from walmart to put the bulb into

http://www.adorama.com/JTS20.html?searchinfo=ac%20slave%20strobe&item_no=9

[RP33]

I have a bare bulb brand flash. Where can I place this for a nice hairlight? Does anyone have one they use?

[Lotto]

I've tried the speedlight/grid for hair light and gave up. Without the modeling light, it's frustrating to aim the grid to the right spot. Currently I use strip box for hair.

SYS, ever consider getting a real strobe for main, and use the 580 for hair?

[bobbyz]

No problem.

A couple of other things to remember in general - blonde hair blows out very easily so keep the power low (equal to your key-light is a good starting point) and avoid using small reflectors and grids unless you like the 'white-hot', 'blown out in patches' look.

If you buy a modifier to use for hair-lighting, make sure you can gel it properly. 1/2 CTO is a good place to start with brunettes. With blondes you can use mild CTOs for a warmer feel or mild CTBs for a more platinum/light-haired look. A strong CTB often works well with redheads as it adds definition and cooler tones so the mass of red isn't as overpowering.

Nice tips.

My problem is that I get white hairs when shooting folks with black hair. I am using AB400 in a strip box with grids. The strip box is placed high above pointed slightly towards camera. Any ieda as to what could eb going on? Maybe I should try the CTO gel like you say.

[Hermes]

Nice tips.

My problem is that I get white hairs when shooting folks with black hair. I am using AB400 in a strip box with grids. The strip box is placed high above pointed slightly towards camera. Any ieda as to what could eb going on? Maybe I should try the CTO gel like you say.

Centred high above the model is rarely the best place to put a hairlight, especially if they have a parting - you'll end up blowing out all the unruly & sticking out hairs where their hair parts and not lighting the bulk of the hair on either side which is usually a lot smoother and takes a hairlight better. Getting the hairlight right is all about creating the right angle so the light skims off the hair and towards the lens creating beautiful reflections and highlights - if you can do this, the hairlight shouldn't need a lot of power.

In this case it sounds like you have the hairlight too high - because the angle of incidence is so great you are getting little reflection from the hair and so you're increasing the power to compensate which is blowing out individual hairs. Lower the hairlight & reduce the downward angle, experiment with placement & gels and try adding a second hairlight so you can light each side independently and put less light directly on top of the model. When your hairlights are pointing back at the camera and you have to start flagging them to stop them flaring the lens you'll know you're on the right track :)

[SYS]

SYS, ever consider getting a real strobe for main, and use the 580 for hair?

Good point, you're right. I've been thinking about getting an Alienbee for some time now... Any suggestion on whether to go with B400 or B800 or perhaps even a better (but economical) alternative?

[bobbyz]

Centred high above the model is rarely the best place to put a hairlight, especially if they have a parting - you'll end up blowing out all the unruly & sticking out hairs where their hair parts and not lighting the bulk of the hair on either side which is usually a lot smoother and takes a hairlight better. Getting the hairlight right is all about creating the right angle so the light skims off the hair and towards the lens creating beautiful reflections and highlights - if you can do this, the hairlight shouldn't need a lot of power.

In this case it sounds like you have the hairlight too high - because the angle of incidence is so great you are getting little reflection from the hair and so you're increasing the power to compensate which is blowing out individual hairs. Lower the hairlight & reduce the downward angle, experiment with placement & gels and try adding a second hairlight so you can light each side independently and put less light directly on top of the model. When your hairlights are pointing back at the camera and you have to start flagging them to stop them flaring the lens you'll know you're on the right track :)

Thanks. I did notice that if I used the same strip box on a light stand placed little behind the model and pointed so that light fell at very low angle then I get real nice effect.