When I’m trying to figure out a new lighting technique or I want to test something out in studio, I usually like to try it out on myself first. Yes, it takes a little extra work setting up the tripod, figuring out focus and using the remote, but I know that I won’t bore myself… I won’t have a tantrum… I won’t say “I’m done” after a few frames. LOL

So this is what I was up to this afternoon during nap time…

Last week I bought an issue of Cosmo. Let it be known I hate this magazine, for many reasons, but on occasion I will buy a fashion magazine so I can study the pictures. I try to figure out how each one is lit, and I also take note of the posing. There were two really common lighting techniques being used in the ads: both of them could probably classified as butterfly lighting. One of them was soft – glamorous. The other was harsh and non-diffused. I want to try both – today I tried the softer version.

I put my SB-700 in my extra large soft box, directly above the camera, almost to the ceiling and pointed it down. At first I held a reflector at my waist, but the light was far too flat for me, so I nixed it. I blame this on the size of my studio space, which is fairly small and white, so often the room itself acts as a reflector. I also blame this on the size of my soft box – it’s quite large and usually produces very soft shadows. I love it.

I put a second flash on the background, diffused with an envelope.

It’s very flattering light –  and I will probably be using this for seniors from now on – I love the look!

I am going to try the harsher variation soon. I think I will replace my extra large soft box with my small one and see if that does the trick. I might even try a bare flash, we’ll see… I’ll have to come up with an edgier background to match the mood of the lighting.