Clamshell Lighting Tecnique - One-light Portrait

01/18/2007 05:43:39 PM · #1

Viola, I'm all new!

Yeah, yeah, I wish.

So I learned something new today and wanted to share for anyone else who might be interested. Its called 'clam shell lighting' and its such a lovely look....

The model is lit with one softbox and one reflector each positioned VERY CLOSE like in this image:

With my shot, however, since I was doing it alone & didn't have an assistant to hold the reflector, I rotated the softbox to diagonal upper left and the reflector to diagonal lower right (so I could prop it in place). I added a single bare bulb spot light to the backdrop. I shot with my camera in monochrome because I knew that I wanted b/w and not color. The something new for me was that I had to break previous studio training that had taught me to keep my lights several feet away from the model for better diffusion and to turn my fill light OFF for a softer, more graceful light. :) And there ya go! A lovely 1 light portrait (2 if you count the spotlight in the background).

hanneke

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/18/2007 05:46:51 PM · #2

you do have new hair, right? ;) you look great.

love this technique, like on the example image. I don't really understand the fill-light-thing you're talking about, it's a one-light-portrait?

01/18/2007 05:51:07 PM · #3

Originally posted by biteme:

you do have new hair, right? ;) you look great.

love this technique, like on the example image. I don't really understand the fill-light-thing you're talking about, it's a one-light-portrait?

Just styled the hair differently, you know how us girls are. :)

What I meant about fill light is that normally I would use a 2nd light at about 1/2 the power of the first light to fill in shadow areas - then use a reflector as needed just for punch. With this technique, yes, it becomes a 1 light portrait with the reflector doing all of the work of the 2nd light -- the trick though is it needs to be really close.

01/18/2007 05:58:50 PM · #4

Great photo! Love the lighting.

I love the lessons at photoflex. I bought a one month membership and printed out every lesson I thought I would ever use.

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

01/18/2007 06:00:05 PM · #5

Originally posted by toddhead:

Great photo! Love the lighting.

I love the lessons at photoflex. I bought a one month membership and printed out every lesson I thought I would ever use.

LOL That's precisely what I did today. Its a TON of knowledge for $10. I made myself a little notebook.

:)

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

01/18/2007 06:04:51 PM · #6

Nice. I keep reading all these tips for lighting and portraiture, and one of these days I'm going to try them too.

The big problem with these photos is that you have to put on makeup for the person to look decent. And I hate makeup. Haven't worn any myself for years and years, and I usually much prefer people without makeup. Oh well. But you (and your models) look beautiful. Rethink makeup now. Hmmmm.

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

01/18/2007 06:11:14 PM · #7

Ursula, I work from home so I rarely have reason to be in full make-up, but when I shoot myself I think its worth it to get a more polished looking shot.... they say the devil is in the details! ;-)

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

01/18/2007 06:23:56 PM · #8

Originally posted by idnic:

Ursula, I work from home so I rarely have reason to be in full make-up, but when I shoot myself I think its worth it to get a more polished looking shot.... they say the devil is in the details! ;-)

Yeah, I know. But, but, ....
Lame excuse: it's so much more fun to go traipsy around the swamp!
Lame excuse 2: I'm allergic to makeup. Really.

;-)

TheresaA

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III

01/18/2007 06:40:05 PM · #9

Cindi, I am so excited! This worked great for you! I want to try it too!!

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/18/2007 06:43:09 PM · #10

Originally posted by idnic:

The something new for me was that I had to break previous studio training that had taught me to keep my lights several feet away from the model for better diffusion

Why would keeping the lights further away give you better diffusion ? Further away ==> more like a single point light source.

The closer in the light is, the more diffusion you get, surely ? Or am I missing something basic ?

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/18/2007 06:47:00 PM · #11

Have you lost weight? New shoes? ;-)

Excellent info and the new look is very cool!

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

01/18/2007 06:48:45 PM · #12

Who's Viola? ;-)

Great looking shot, Cindi.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

01/18/2007 06:57:17 PM · #13

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by idnic:
The something new for me was that I had to break previous studio training that had taught me to keep my lights several feet away from the model for better diffusion

Why would keeping the lights further away give you better diffusion ? Further away ==> more like a single point light source.

The closer in the light is, the more diffusion you get, surely ? Or am I missing something basic ?

No, I mispoke, I wasn't taught that farther is better and closer isn't, I was taught "you place your lights around 36" away for best diffusion" and I never even questioned it, I move them farther away when I need the space, but rarely closer in... lol

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/18/2007 07:17:45 PM · #14

Originally posted by idnic:

Ah, Dean Collins spends a lot of time saying 'bring the lights in so you can see them in the frame, then back them out slightly' just to get most relatively diffuse light sources.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

01/18/2007 07:42:04 PM · #15

remember you don't need expensive reflectors. Bailey uses Foamboard or whie card, actally I think he invented this style of light in the 60s

01/18/2007 08:15:29 PM · #16

Darn it, I want to shoot more and neither of the kids will play with me - something about homework.. ugh!

fotomann_forever

01/18/2007 08:17:21 PM · #17

Originally posted by idnic:

Darn it, I want to shoot more and neither of the kids will play with me - something about homework.. ugh!

LOL... pooor Cindi :-) Guess it's just you and Lexi.

01/18/2007 09:14:26 PM · #18

I figured I would try one real quick...

I'll call this one....

My Wife Thinks I'm an Idiot

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

01/18/2007 09:20:56 PM · #19

Originally posted by toddhead:

I figured I would try one real quick...

I'll call this one....

My Wife Thinks I'm an Idiot

Looks awesome, Todd! :)

muckpond

Nikon D200

01/18/2007 09:21:38 PM · #20

those are sweet. i need a boom arm for my lights.

oh, and a softbox that is less than 48" :)

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

01/18/2007 09:27:59 PM · #21

Originally posted by toddhead:

I figured I would try one real quick...

I'll call this one....

My Wife Thinks I'm an Idiot

look like some rapper or singer - cool !

01/18/2007 09:32:07 PM · #22

Originally posted by crayon:

look like some rapper or singer - cool !

That's right... That's how I roll!

01/18/2007 09:46:18 PM · #23

Originally posted by muckpond:

those are sweet. i need a boom arm for my lights.

oh, and a softbox that is less than 48" :)

Yuh huh, I decided today a boom arm and some sandbags are definitely on my wish list.

01/18/2007 09:47:56 PM · #24

I bought a boom from Alien Bees... the best piece of lighting gear I have ever purchased... worth every penny.

PhotoDave