Best Light Modifier For Headshots

We are using a gray seamless for this shoot just to give it a slightly different look from the typical white background in a peter hurley headshot.

Best light modifier for headshots.

There s more to headshots than white backgrounds. Whatever you use this is your main light. Sal will show you three of his most popular lighting setups for headshots. The light and modifier i use most often in this situation is a canon 600ex rt speedlite and a speedbox 70 from xp photogear.

I shoot hundreds of headshots per year using this simple setup. Beautiful headshots can be produced with three lights and a reflector. It is important to understand what a light modifier is and how it will impact your portrait lighting or headshot photography. Social media linkedin websites marketing material and more.

I can use a medium sized softbox to shoot a great portrait or even a full length shot with just a little light falloff from the shins to the feet. The most important light in my opinion is the hair light. Umbrellas softboxes brolly boxes and beauty dishes are all important. As you can see this is a one light one reflector set up that is completely unobtrusive to the subject is quick to rig up and with a large octabox modifier produces a very flattering light.

You will need a key light a background light and a hair light. At 1 200th of a second f 8 and iso 100 we took each of the following shots on our canon 5d mark iii equipped with the canon 24 70mm f 2 8 mark ii lens. Natural light strobes and constant light. Softboxes are my modifier of choice when i want a soft directional light and i want to be able to control how much of that light is going to fall on my background.

Today business people have needs that extend far beyond traditional business cards. Hair especially dark hair soaks up an incredible amount of light and doesn t bounce back much. The only drawback is that you can t tilt it so i cheat and just tilt the hot shoe mount and let some light leak out the bottom of the orb when i have the diffusion panel on the front. This modifier is inexpensive and a great value since this kit comes with a light stand and a shoe mount.