SPEEDLIGHT INFO:

Using your speedlight is easy with this type of lighting as well.

For the soft light, simply use a diffusion material for light modification. I find a cloth shower curtain works very well and they are available nearly anywhere.

Keep the speedlight back at least 4-5 feet as the closer you get to the diffuser, the more of a hot spot will be created. It could be very good to have two matching speedlights (ie; SB600, 550EX) and set them at 1/2 power for faster recycling. Keep one above the other and try to space them evenly to fill the scrim.

It may also be important to make sure light does not spill around the edges and create light where you may not want it.

For the hard light it is even easier as most speedlights are already configured to give hard light. (There is no exposed bulb, so the light comes straight out of a closed container - that is hard light.) Simply place the Gobo about 3 feet in front of your speedlight and start to adjust.

You may have to fire it a few times to see where it is going as most speedlights do not have "modeling' lights that show the shape and throw of the light.

If you want to simulate a modeling light, try a very small quartz light - like a reading lamp - and move it to the postion that gives you the light shape you want. Note the placement and put your speedlight at that point. You will be really close to what you want at that point.

IMPORTANT:

When using this kind of light, you may choose to add or take away fill cards and such. Here are a few ideas to try additionally:

Add a mirror opposite of the hard light to give a sharp look to a hair light
Move the fill cards in very close for less contrast
Try small fill cards on booms to only fill in specific areas
Move the model away from the wall a bit to let the light slip behind her

I hope you enjoy this Glamour tutorial, and share the images you create with us.

Cheers!

One Light Glamour: Soft and Hard Light ( back )

One Light Glamour Light on www.lighting-essentials.com

ONE LIGHT: Soft Look.

With a softlight against the wall, and the model right up against it, there is a definite side light look to this setup. It is quite easy to duplicate. See the diagram for a closer look.

Adding the little V-Card to the edge of the softbox adds a bit of kicker to the front of the image, and you can control the contrast by moving the larger fill card in and out from the model. Try this light with models with good skin as the light does tend to show imperfections with a bit more sharpness.

See side panel for speedlight info.

ONE LIGHT: Hard Edge Look

Bare light in a small reflector is the primary light source. But we modify it by passing it through a small Gobo made of cardboard.

I used a small piece of black cardboard with a hole cut in it to make the light into a small square with lots of contrast. You can soften the edge of the light by bringing the main in close, or you can make the edge harder and more distinct by moving the light away from the Gobo. it is important to keep the model working toward the light, as shadows can be quite dramatic if she is looking away. Speedlight info on left panel.

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