January 2015

I recently did a two round portrait session for my friend Marty so he has some portraits/headshots for future use.

I have done portraits in the past, even my own self-portrait, using a two strobe setup shot through white umbrellas.

For both of these rounds, I used a two strobe setup. However, I changed it up and shot one strobe through a white umbrella (camera right) with the other strobe bare and behind the subject (camera left) as a fill light on the right side of the subjects face.

This was my first time trying this technique out, and I am very glad that I did! Below is a digital representation of the lighting/studio setup that I used.

As I was shooting, I realized I needed a small amount of light bounced from the strobe being shot through the white umbrella onto the right side of the subjects face. The fill light wasn’t enough, and it was leaving the right side of his face a little dark.

I needed the collapsible disc reflector (white side facing the subject) to be held up on the right side of the subjects face, but I only have two arms, and I don’t have an assistant.

My next equipment purchase will be a reflector arm stand/holder which will allow me to use/position the collapsible disc reflector to my specifications without the need to grow more arms or hire an assistant.

Below is a digital representation of the lighting/studio setup that I wish I had at the time.

All in all, the portraits still turned out great in my opinion.

Stylist for 2nd portrait session: Stein Van Bael