How would you light two kids sitting side by side?

dubcat · 28 Feb 2013

I ended up putting lights at 45 degrees to them (one on each side) which produced a flat light but meant that they were both lit evenly rather than having one darker than the other. I am really happy with the results but I was wondering what more creative setups you would use for two kids sitting side by side.

Garry Edwards · 1 Mar 2013

That's a popular way of doing it, and although the lighting is very flat, it works.
A more creative option is to have the key light high and directly above the camera, which will create shadows that define the shape of the face, with an on-axis fill to mitigate the shadows that this causes.

Try it and see

gary996 · 1 Mar 2013

Garry Edwards said:
That's a popular way of doing it, and although the lighting is very flat, it works.
A more creative option is to have the key light high and directly above the camera, which will create shadows that define the shape of the face, with an on-axis fill to mitigate the shadows that this causes.

Try it and see

Going your more creative option. Would putting a reflector under the kids and the key light above camera (where you put it) work? Or is it better with the on-axis fill?

Garry Edwards · 1 Mar 2013

Yes, that would work too. But a fill is more easily controlled

cargo · 1 Mar 2013

Am I visualizing this correctly 2 light sources above the camera key light high plus a lower one or is the other below the camera as when you use a reflector.

Gaz

dan_yorkshire · 1 Mar 2013

cargo said:
Am I visualizing this correctly 2 light sources above the camera key light high plus a lower one or is the other below the camera as when you use a reflector.

Gaz

I think it is more clamshell style lighting which Garry is speaking of?

You'll find lots of examples searching on google.

mike weeks · 1 Mar 2013

If you want some shape and definition then have your main light coming from about 45 degree but feather it and then have some on axis fill so that the shadows are not so dark.

If you get the feathering correct then you will get the same level of light on each face.

Mike

cargo · 2 Mar 2013

dan_yorkshire said:
I think it is more clamshell style lighting which Garry is speaking of?

You'll find lots of examples searching on google.

Hi Dan
I did think that was what Garry was on about but some of the terms he used through me a bit.I took these of myself a few weeks back after some tips of Sir Sr "forum member" Lower down the page you can the set up. I guess this was a cheap man's clam lighting set up.
I am guessing it wouldnt work for 2 people though.

Thanks for the info.

Gaz

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=462759