So, you’re expanding your knowledge and moving from natural light to studio portraits. Congrats! While this opens the door for countless creative opportunities, it can be a little overwhelming. You’ll certainly make mistakes, you probably already do, and John Gress has identified five common mistakes that photographers frequently make with their lighting setups. He shares them in his latest video, helping you to avoid these common pitfalls. Don’t worry, they’re so simple to overcome, yet they’ll raise your studio portraits to a whole new level.
1. No catchlights
Catchlights are the reflections of the main light source in your subject’s eyes. They are like a little sparkle that adds life to the eyes, and without them, eyes can appear dull or lifeless. John suggests turning on your modeling light to position your main light until you see the catchlights in your subject’s eyes from the camera’s perspective.
If your setup lacks a modeling light or you’re working in bright conditions, take a few test shots and adjust the light’s position until the catchlights appear. On rare occasions, long eyelashes or other factors may block catchlights. In such cases, you can add them during post-processing with AI tools, but John emphasizes the importance of getting it right on set for the best results.
2. Unflattering light placement
The position of your light relative to your subject dramatically impacts the overall look of your portrait. For instance, if your subject turns away from the light, you might end up with broad lighting, making the face appear less defined. John advises paying attention to how light interacts with your subject’s face and ensuring both eyes are evenly lit. That is unless you’re intentionally going for a dramatic split lighting effect.
He also recommends experimenting with different portrait lighting styles—like loop, butterfly, or Rembrandt lighting—to find the most flattering look. You can learn more about lighting patterns here and check out some examples.
3. Ignoring shadow details
Shadows play a critical role in adding dimension and texture to portraits, but losing all shadow details can make your image appear flat or harsh. To preserve these details, John suggests using fill light, a reflector, or even a simple piece of white paper to bounce some light back into the shadows.
This is particularly helpful when photographing older subjects, as soft fill light can minimize wrinkles. Whether you’re bouncing light off a ceiling or using a secondary light source, make sure shadows aren’t too dark. Once again, all this applies if that’s the specific look you’re aiming for.
4. Poor subject-background separation
A subject that blends into the background can make your portrait look flat and dull. To avoid this, use an edge light or hair light to create a visual outline around your subject. These lights add a three-dimensional feel by making the subject stand out against the background.
Another option is to light the background itself, ensuring it contrasts with your subject. Whether you choose to light the subject or the background, the goal is to create a clear separation between them.
5. Shadows on the background
When your subject is too close to the backdrop, you risk casting distracting shadows. This is particularly problematic when using a single hard light source, and that’s precisely how many of us have started out. John advises positioning your subject at least four feet away from the background and ensuring your main light is placed far enough forward to minimize shadows.
If shadows persist, lighting the background can help reduce their visibility. Always check your backdrop before finalizing the shot to avoid sharp, unwanted outlines.
By focusing on these five areas, you can transform your portrait lighting in no time. As John says, practically overnight. And although artificial lighting might seem intimidating at first, with practice and attention to detail, it becomes second nature. So, keep these tips in mind, and walk into that studio with curiosity and willingness to learn and experiment. You got this!
[5 Lighting Mistakes Every Beginner Should Avoid | Improve Your Photography Today! via FStoppers]
