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.













Traffic bokeh!







The effect it creates is a deep, rich background and very nicely lit subjects. The orange sky behind them acts as a hair light, separating them from the dark background. The processing is minimal on these.
Aren’t they cute? If you’d like to see more, visit my photography blog
It’s too bad I can’t go back in time and put on my darn engagement ring! I thought about flipping the photo so that my ring would appear to be hidden, rather than missing, but then Eric’s mole would be hopping to the other side of his face like something out of Robin Hood Men in Tights.