Subtle Gridspot for Headshot

I simply love shooting headshots and beauty.

This shot of Lynne was created to be a little more dramatic with some beauty lighting that was different than what I would normally do. (Of course lately, I am not doing anything like I would normally do so normal may not be the right word.)

I chose a beauty dish for the back/side light and brought it in close. This ‘poppy’ light also filled the silver cards that were on both sides of her in front. Through that gap I used a Grid Spot for the face and shoulders. Getting the light to match without a deep shadow or a split light look was the tricky part.

I start with my fill and ambient light and then move the Grid Spot to where I can see it will be even with the back light. I really believe in meters for doing this very detailed lighting work, but if you feel you can do it by chimping, then that is fine.

The background is a shiny card that I usually use for under the chin while doing a headshot. Everything servers double duty in my studio.

I had Lynne gazing off and then occasionally would ask her to bring it back to me. In the end I loved the gazing off shot best.

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