11 CT Studio Photos with One Light and an Umbrella

Back in the old days (when I was young) and before electricity and multiple lights were invented, photographers had to use just one light to create brilliant (pun intended) studio portraits. This is considered the ideal training for being a photographer. Now you get to follow in the foot steps of some of the greats as Annie Leibovitz.

Using only one light will prepare you for grade 12 Com Tech when you get to use up to 4 or more lights.

Book the studio and assemble a team or 3 to a maximum of 4 classmates.

With one light, and using a reflector practice taking 5 to 6 photos of your models (1 male and one female) using the four different lighting techniques:

• butterfly

• loop

• Rembrandt or 45 degree

• split or side

In addition to having shining the lights directly on your model’s face, you can also feather them, bounce it off the ceiling and even the walls of the studio.

Next, you can use a back light to create some separation between your model and the background. You can also point you back light towards the camera to create a rim light or a hair light.

Finally, use another reflector or two, to add a rim light, fill in the shadows on your model’s face.

You also need a lighting diagram. One must be drawn by using an online lighting diagram creator. Tutsplus features 5 different versions.

There are literally gazillions of Youtube videos using one light for portraits. Here are few that I think are the best:

1. Laws of Light for a Sphere.

2. Nigel Barker – 3 ways to light a person with one light.

3. Bryce Holden – one light with an umbrella

4. Fstoppers one light set up of Annie Liebovitz -- this is not a video.

Your assignment.

1. Book the studio and assemble your team.

2. Setup the studio with one light and an optional back light.

3. Gather your reflectors, paper, foam core, walls.

With one light, and using a reflector practice taking 5 to 6 photos of your models (1 male and one female) using the four different lighting techniques:

• butterfly

• loop

• Rembrandt or 45 degree

• split or side

In addition to having shining the lights directly on your model’s face, you can also feather them, bounce it off the ceiling and even the walls of the studio.

Hand in:

1. Create a lighting diagram for each lighting technique. You can use the Lighting Diagram Creator, or draw them by hand. Make sure you label the camera, light modifier and reflectors.

2. Two photos for the 4 lighting technique. One photo should have the light directly facing the subject and the second photo should be feathered. Ensure your photo is labelled for each type of lighting.

3. One photo of any lighting technique with rim lighting, Ensure your photo is labelled for each type of lighting.

4. Two photo with the light bounced off the ceiling, where the light is 3 feet or a metre in front of your model. Ensure your photo is labelled for each type of lighting.

5. One photo with the light 18 inches form your model’s head. Ensure your photo is labelled for each type of lighting.

6. One photo with the light 8 feet from the model’s head. Ensure your photo is labelled for each type of lighting.

7. What are the differences between in the light when it is close and far for numbers 4 and 5?

You will hand in a total of 13 photos. And 5 lighting diagrams. Ensure all images are photoshopped.

In this assignments, your photo will be judged mostly on expression -- followed by lighting, posing.

Make sure you book the photo studio to complete your one light studio portrait.

This is a group project and individual group members hand in their own photos and one set of lighting diagrams per group.