First atempt at Butterfly lighting

A reflector at the bottom would have probably gotten rid of the shadow from the chin on the neck. Single BD with 580. Thoughts?

cant see the shadow under the nose.

Like Jerome said, where is the butterfly?

Does this mean that my light has to be higher up?

Jamesino wrote in post #12113418
Does this mean that my light has to be higher up?

Yes, or move it closer, but keep the same height.

Jamesino wrote in post #12112349
Thoughts?

Bears a vague resemblance to a young Melissa Etheridge.

dave63 wrote in post #12113520
Bears a vague resemblance to a young Melissa Etheridge.

Yea, that's an amazing resemblance.

Your light source needs to be closer to the subject and then the height is adjusted visually by looking at the shadow under the nose. If you're using Speedlight's and have no modeling light then pop off a few test shots at different heights to see where you're getting the most pleasing shadow.

If you have a reflector or a second light source then you can bring it in from below and create clam shell lighting to lift some shadow but the position and formation of the shadow stays the same.

Clam shell also falls into the category of Beauty lighting.

I would also shoot from a higher angle. And the crop is too tight IMHO.