AboutSara Bella Expertise I can answer questions about most anything photographic. From film to darkroom to digital photography, from lighting to Photoshop techniques to digital work flow. I also know a great deal about the historical and theoretical context of photography.
Experience I have been shooting photographs since I was 12. I have a BFA in photography and and I am currently working on my MFA. I am a photography teacher.
Education/Credentials BFA-photography
In residency to receive MFA in photography in 2008.
Expert: Sara Bella Date: 5/1/2008 Subject: lighting
Question Hi Sara,
I work for a dating service and we take our members photos for the website ourselves. I have worked in a few other portrait studios and this one seems to be lacking the variety in lighting options...but I'm not sure. There are two identical lights one in each corner facing the subject.
I am trying to create a softer light with more shadows (ya know, a little sexier..these people are looking for dates after all) and tried turning one flash off and lowering the other but it didn't really work.
I want it took look like the photo on this website..the photo that pops up (woman in red, satin drape) and especially like the last girl on the top row (it is a head shot os an African American woman)
How can I accomplish this?
Thank you so much for your help and I apoligize for the links...I just didn't know how to explain it.
Answer It seems that you are after some really soft, diffused light.
Are you using these umbrellas to bounce the light or to diffuse the light? You say the lights are pointed at the subject...which leads me to believe that you removed the black covers from the umbrellas and you are lighting the subject through them. This should give you a nice diffused light. You may need a softbox to create this soft light, but you should be able to do it with the kit you already have. Also consider bouncing light off of a diffuser (you can even use a piece of styrofoam or white matboard). You should certainly turn down the intensity on one of the lights to create the more shadowed area on one side of your subject.
It is really difficult to try to advise you of lighting via email, but hopefully this has helped a bit. If you are shooting digital, you should take a some time to experiment. Set up the camera on a tripod and set up the lights. Then start shooting until you get the look you want. Change only one variable at a time. Try bouncing the light by using the black covers on the umbrella and pointing the light away from the subject. Change the distance the lights are placed from the subject. Change the intensity of both lights until you get this soft look.
Once you get the look you want, write down the settings and you will be good to go for the rest of your photoshoots!
If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.
