The P H Lighting Setup

I was trying out the "Peter Hurley" headshot lighting set up. I its kinda like a ring set up. I used 3 ABs with there modeling lights. Is there a better name for this set up? I hate to have to name drop when talking about it.

Anyways model: Matison

Sandwich lighting?

Lovely shots and lovely model. Is there a reason why the ISO is so high?


Randy

I think your lights are to dim.

His lighting is a full box around them...

OK OK not totally like his setup.

Two strip boxes straight on and a hair light. I could have used 2 strip boxes and a small soft box in front or 2 stripboxes in front and put a big soft box in back of her to make a white background but I thought the hairlight was nice. Also they were modeling lights on alien bees so yeah pritty dim.

I dont really think 1600 is that high but yeah I could have gotten away with 800 you're right.

The catch lights in her eyes make her look like she has snake eyes...not my favorite. Otherwise I don't mind the lighting setup - hair light might be a bit hot.

For studio is there a reason you're going so dim and shooting high ISO? I like iso 50 or 100 for studio, but that's my preference.

Yeah like I said I was using the modeling lights basicly bc I wanted to shoot wide open. If I used the ABs on even the lowest setting Id have to stop down or use an nd filter or somthing.

Do you think with three lights in front it would give the catch lights less snake look? Or that would be a wierd triangle look

I bought some neutral density gels and made a cone and put it around my strobe tubes to bring the strobes down three stops. Can't use modeling lights but it works well to get the strobes down.


What models do you have? 400, 800? 1600 might be too bright

Yeah I should have played around with the setup a bit haha they are 800s.

The lights were right up close to the model so I could have pulled them way back to get less strobe light but I think that would give a differnt look right?

Depends on the size of the light modifiers. Really isn't Pete just making a big ring light?

Basicly but you can fine tune each light to give slight shadows

When I had my studio I used 4 AB800's and could shoot wide open...you know the inverse square rule right? Just back them up and use big modifiers.

Well I don't really have access to tons of modifiers but I see what you mean. With a differnt set up I can use a huge modifier and pull it away and shoot wide open. Im pretty sure it wouldnt work in this set up bc the light needs to be pretty close to the subject.

I think Hurley does wonderful head shots. But he's done nice work without the full-surround lighting too.

For the more part, I think the lighting setup this thread refers too, produces less interesting head shots.

It would help me out if you could put your finger on why