Lighting Setups and Diagrams: How to set up your lights for portraiture or product photography at Photographer's SupplyStation

(This page is still under construction (being revised and updated), much more coming...)

Basic 3-Point Layout

3-5 Light Layouts

Here's a simple, easy setup using only one light. You don't need a dozen lights to make a dramatic image; but what you do need is a little guidance and a little thought invested before making the image. See the pictures and directions below for more guidance.

For portraiture, we want to light one side of the subject's face brighter than the other, to provide some depth and modeling (modeling means some shadows) on the other side of the face. When you only have one light (which is just fine to start with) you'll want to use a reflector (just a blank, white, piece of cardboard poster board, around 18" x 24"; I got mine for $1.19 at a local drug store) to "bounce" some of the light back onto the shadow side of the subject's face. This is an image I use often to illustrate lighting for portraiture because it's a simple and easy setup that everyone can recreate easily. Here's a diagram (above) of a really simple, easy setup - and it will wow your friends when they see the results. This picture was made with this same one-light setup, and was cropped closely to eliminate any distractions. The result is an interesting and dramatic image. The pretty girl doesn't hurt, either. The point? You don't need a ton of equipment to make a great image; just a little forethought and a willingness to start using you cameras (which means get out the camera and start taking pictures with it). Start looking at other pictures, in newspapers, magazines, billboards, online, everywhere; whenever you find a picture you like, tear it out or make a copy and examine it. Figure it out. Ask yourself: Where did the light come from? Where are the shadows? Why do I like it? Then make some pictures just like them yourself. Practice. You'll see. See our full Portraiture Guide

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Some additional helpful information:

Portraiture: What makes a Good Portrait?

Why does the photo of the young girl catch our eye? What is it about this picture that makes it any better than any snapshot we might take of a child, relative, or friend?

First, it's well exposed; secondly, look at the modeling on the face of this girl ("Modeling" is PhotoSpeak for the highlights -light areas- and shadows -dark areas- that fall upon the subject, giving it the depth and texture necessary for professional results); half of her face is highlighted (lighted), and the other half is in shadow (relatively speaking). Frontal lighting, coming from the camera's location is the worst possible way to light a good portrait (for most purposes).The light in this picture is coming from the side (our right, the subject's left); the shadow (left) side is receiving about 25% of the light the highlight (right) side is receiving. This, unlike the "flat" and unappealing look we find in most front-lighted faces, gives the image a three dimensional look, as well as making for an interesting shot. Third, a model looking directly into the lens gives the impression that she's looking directly at us. In young women (or men), this is very often a "sexy" or "intimate" look - a look that attracts the eye and attention of many viewers. And finally, notice what is not included; there's nothing in this image to distract the viewer! Notice how the background has been allowed to photograph as solid black, eliminating any distractions from the background. Notice also how tightly this image is cropped. There's nothing in the image to distract us from the subject. And all it took was a single light and a $1.19 piece of white posterboard. From now on, every time you see a picture you like, start noticing how it was lit. But it is vitally important for the photographer to realize that ... continued below

*It may come as a surprise to some folks, but images of attractive young ladies appeal to women almost as much as they appeal to men. In numerous tests, women were much more attracted pictures of other women than they were those of men. Consequently, our society is filled with images of beautiful women. Thank goodness.

See our full Portraiture Guide

It doesn't take a rocket scientist (nuclearphysicist) to make great images! An expanded layout comes in handy