Sillhouette with a speedlite

[Letsdosomeshots]

Hello, i'm starting to get into portrait/modelling/glamour photography and got a quick question.

I'm just using a 420ex shot through an umbrella for my main light, but I want to create a full length body sillhouette at night. Obviously shooting the flash bare at the back of the model is the best way, will a single light have enough fill to have the entire body lit? Would you diffuse it? Any tips at all? I'm aiming to have model stood in a doorway or leaning against a post etc, would be shot outside in the dark.

Thanks, James.

 

[Cistron]

Hello, i'm starting to get into portrait/modelling/glamour photography and got a quick question.

I'm just using a 420ex shot through an umbrella for my main light, but I want to create a full length body sillhouette at night. Obviously shooting the flash bare at the back of the model is the best way, will a single light have enough fill to have the entire body lit? Would you diffuse it? Any tips at all? I'm aiming to have model stood in a doorway or leaning against a post etc, would be shot outside in the dark.

Thanks, James.

If you want a real silhouette, you will want to avoid any type of fill, unless you like the underexposed look.

Hide the speed-light directly behind the model, dial in ... uhm, let's say ... 1/4 power at maximum zoom and adjust your aperture once in position to the required effect. Make sure your model is in the door-frame, not behind it, to avoid any fill by bouncing light.