Explained lighting schemes

Maurice Mc Duff Studio McMomo, from the canadian photographers association QuebecPhotos, have prepared a set of photos with different lighting schemes, along an explanation and visual schematics for each one of them, explaining how he did them. An excellent opportunity to learn about new lighting schemes and to see how each detail in the scheme its later reflected in the final photo.
  • 1. Two superposed softboxes on the left. Value F8 @ ISO 100
  • 2. One light with a diffuser to cut the subject shadow on the background
  • 3. Hair light from the top
  • 4. Silver reflector near the subject

  • 1. Two superposed softboxes on the left. Value F6,7 @ ISO 100
  • 2. One light with a diffuser to cut the subject's shadow on the background
  • 3. Silver reflector near the subject

  • 1. Two superposed softboxes on the left. Value F8 @ ISO 100
  • 2. Softbox ± F 5,6
  • 3. One light with a diffuser to cut the subject's shadow on the background

  • 1. 60 inches silver umbrella at 9 feet high. Value F8 @ 100 ISO
  • 2. White foam panel

  • 1. Two superposed softboxes on the left. Value F11 @ ISO 100
  • 2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high combine value ± F16
  • 4. White reflector near the subject

  • 1. Two superposed softboxes on the left. Value F8 @ ISO 100
  • 2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high, combined value ± F13
  • 4. Silver reflector near the subject
  • 5. Fan

  • 1. Beauty dish reflector. Value F11 @ 100 ISO

  • 1. Strip softbox. Value F8 @ 100 ISO
  • 2. Softbox. Value F 5,6 @ 100 ISO
  • 3 and 4. Flash with red filter directed at backdrop bottom
  • 5. Cardboard
  • 6. White paper folding screen elevated on a solid base.

  • Mirror on the floor
  • 1. Two superposed softboxes on the left. Value F 9,5 @ ISO 100
  • 2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high, combined value ± F16
  • 4. Cardboard

  • Background cloud canvas accessory, paper umbrella
  • 1. Softbox, value F 9,5 @ 100 ISO
  • 2. Low power strobe behind the umbrella

  • 1. Softbox. Value F11 @ 100 ISO
  • 2. Cardboard

  • 1. Softbox. Value F8 @ 100 ISO
  • 2. Strobe with barndoors and honeycomb, grid 20 degres, variable intensity
  • 3. White reflector

  • Plexiglass sheet on the floor
  • 1. Elevated softbox. Value F 9,5 @ 100 ISO
  • 2. Silver reflector
  • 3. Diffuser
  • 4. Cardboard under the flash

  • 1. Softbox on the left. Value F 9,5 @ ISO 100
  • 2. Strip softbox ± F 5,6
  • 3. Elevated strobe with barndoors and 20 degree grid on the background, low intensity.

  • 1. One softbox positioned horizontally over the subject. Value F 7,1 @ ISO 100
  • 2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high, combined value ± F16

  • 1. One softbox. Value F 11 @ ISO 100
  • 2. Strobe with red color gel and barndoors on the floor, value +F22
You can also take a look at our other article about specific lighting for a model's face: Explained lighting schemes, lighting a face

Sobre el autor

Maurice Mc Duff (Studio McMomo), a semi-retired worker who've rediscovered the passion of photography after a long 20 years interlude. He defines himself as a self-taught amateur portraitist working with professional tools. He shares his passion with numerous photographers, models and other artists by supporting a french speaking photography web forum based in Montreal, Canada. Quebec photos. He gives free studio workshops to beginners and help develop new model portfolios: "I wish to become an accomplished artist and I dream to find another Adriana Lima!"

All graphics in this article have been made using the sutdio lighting patterns created by Kevin Kertz, member of the photography website Fred Miranda.

The author of all the photos is Maurice Mc Duff de Studio McMomo



Explained lighting schemes, lighting a face
Light schemes for a model's face explained. What to take care of, common problems and how to solve them.
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