#PHOTO HEADSHOT COMPOSITION LOW LIGHTKEY SKIN#

I usually set my background light a stop under my key light and this gives a very nice gradient behind the subject. I do not use a light modifier, instead I use a standard pan reflector to direct the light. I usually put mine about 3 feet off the ground. You’ll want to make sure it is somewhat lower than your subject. Place your background light as close to the background as possible, with the light aimed almost, but not quite, straight up. If you’re not careful with blondes, you’ll blow out the top of their heads. I usually find a height of about 3 feet above my subject is best and a setting of f/4.5 or f/5.6. You will have to play around with light settings and height, which will be different for brunettes and blonds. If you position the hair light too far forward, you risk racoon eyes and a glowing nose. Make sure the light is hitting from the midpoint of the head and falling off to the back. It is very important to make sure the light is placed well to the back of your subject’s forehead. Just as the lack of a hair light leaves an image looking unfinished, a badly placed hair light can ruin an image. Look at the difference it makes in these two images. The effects of a hair light can be subtle, but it can really bring life to an image, just like catch lights do in the eyes. This can leave the photograph looking dull and ‘dead’. Hair, especially dark hair, soaks up an incredible amount of light and doesn’t bounce back much. The most important light, in my opinion, is the hair light. You will need a key light, a background light and a hair light. Being able to shoot reliable, polished headshots can bring in infusions of cash, and hey, who doesn’t like a little infusion, from time to time?įor this tutorial, I will focus on the ‘classic’ headshot.īeautiful headshots can be produced with three lights and a reflector. It’s amazing at all the different types of people and professions who need headshots realtors, editors, authors, entertainers, models, CEOs, dancers, moguls, rock stars, travel agents, ministers, entrepreneurs, business owners, internet marketers and even the occasional porn star, just to name a few. Think of it as The Little Black Dress of photography.

This is a great basic skill to have in your repertoire.

#PHOTO HEADSHOT COMPOSITION LOW LIGHTKEY SKIN#

We won’t go into WHY someone would want to skin a cat, but I can tell you why people would want to shoot headshots. There are at least as many ways to shoot a headshot as there are ways to skin a cat.

Photo headshot composition low lightkey