Portraits Using the Small LiteDome Kit

For this shot, we wanted to have bright, complimentary colors that jump out at the viewer. So to start, we set up a bright blue background and had our model dress in the complimentary color of red. We had intended to light our model in a dramatic way, but also planned to light the background as well. When it came time to light our set, however, we decided to modify the look somewhat.

Once we had the lighting on the model dialed in, we found that we really liked this image with the near black background and chose to bypass the background light. Creative decisions like this happen all the time on photo-shoots and it's good to be flexible to alternatives when developing the shot. Here, we decided to not allow the lights to overlap, which would result in the front center of our model falling into complete shadow.

We first connected a wireless transmitter to the camera and a wireless receiver to our first hot shoe flash via a PC cord. We did this so we could firstly trigger our flashes wirelessly, and secondly, not have to worry about tripping over a cord running from the camera to the flash unit and possibly knocking something over. Using the shoe mount hardware allowed us to attach both our flash and wireless receiver onto the same Photoflex LiteStand. [figure 1]

It also allowed us to hang our wireless receiver upside-down to allow easy access to our flash's menu. [figure 2]

The wireless transmitter that attaches to your camera is secured into the camera's hot shoe mount.

We set up our first shoe-mount flash onto the Shoe Mount Hardware and attached a small HalfDome soft box. We then positioned it on a LiteStand at about 135˚ camera left, raised it up to about five feet high, and placed it about six feet from our model. [figures 3 and 4]

With only this light powered up, we took our first shot. [figure 5]

Upon reviewing the result, we saw that the placement of the light was right where we wanted it, as it created a nice rim light on the arm and face.

Next we set up our second light with another set of Shoe Mount Hardware and a Small LiteDome to diffuse our shoe mount flash. The purpose of this light set-up was to act as a second rim light. As such, we positioned the second light in the same way as our first.

We placed the second flash with small LiteDome at about 135˚ camera right, three and a half feet from the model, raised it to about six feet, and tilted it down around 30˚. [figures 6 and 7]

In our next result shot with just this second rim light powered up, notice how the soft rim light barely wraps around our model's body. The light falls off quickly and maintains the dark shadow down the center of model. [figure 8]

By equalizing the power on both lights and having the model stand in one spot, we were free to have the model face either direction without risking change to the exposure levels.

This our final two-light set-up: one light at 135˚ camera left, raised up to five feet, and placed about six feet from our model, and a second light at 135˚ camera right, raised up about six feet, about three and a half feet from our model, and tilted down about 30˚. [figures 9 and 10]

Here's the result with both lights powered up. [figure 11]

The minimalist lighting creates a contemporary portrait that maintains a high contrast ratio between the highlights and shadows.

Next, we had the model face the opposite direction and replicate the same pose. With the lights powered equally, we were able to choose which side of the model's face we liked best. [figure 12]

It also gave us a chance to experiment with some slight variations of the same pose. [figures 13 & 14]

As always, remember to experiment with your lighting set-ups, and above all, have fun!