The P H Lighting Setup

I think these headshots are great. However, they look nothing like PH headsots at all.

AD Campbell wrote in post #18188733
I think these headshots are great. However, they look nothing like PH headsots at all.

Agreed.

DThriller wrote in post #18188725
It would help me out if you could put your finger on why

Blasting the subject with light from all sides practically kills the shadows which results in a flat, unidimensional photo. Pretty boring. But then again, it's all about the squinch, innit?

DThriller wrote in post #18188725
It would help me out if you could put your finger on why

I reviewed his stuff to see if I could figure out why. Actually, I like most of his work, but I like the evenly lit stuff less. I recalled this video:

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=wbPS6-KFStE

He says in it that he prefers triangular over the square for a single person. Although it gives almost the same even light. I realized I iike his other photos where a bit more shadow wraps and sculpts the jaw. And I don't care for shadows eliminated under the hair all the way back.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=wbPS6-KFStE

In the next video, I much prefer the look. Such as near 7:12 where he gets into the photos. The shadow sculpts the face. Seems to be more dimension and interest. Instead of everything being light and bright, there's dark, shadow, soft highlight and more. Almost 4 distinct identifiable ranges of exposure. At 12:02 with one woman, it's lighter, but there's still enough shadow for my liking.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=Qe3oJnFtA_k

He could probably have even brightened the image slightly and still capture the same look.