Jazz It Up with One Light - Two Light

F8PJ & Charleston Center for Photography

Today I gave a lecture to a dozen senior citizens at an assisted living home. I love my job. I had their undivided attention for an hour and we had a blast. We talked about how to make some good photos using happy-snap cameras and their faces were enthusiastic.

They asked me to share some of my experiences as a combat photographer, so I gave them a quick 30 minute show. I even got to have a good chat with a WWII veteran. It was definitely a great experience.

After I got back to the studio, I got to help Alice Keeney make some portraits of Jazz Artist of Charleston singer, Charlton Singleton. She was working on a flip book style photo series. However, toward the end of Alice's shoot, I got to jump in a make a couple quick pics.

Simple lighting really...

I started out by putting a square softbox behind Charlton and one light camera left. As you can see, he is situated in a profile position and the camera-left light is facing directly toward him at eye level. This lighting arrangement gives a nice rim to his face and also emphasizes his hand and trumpet. The softbox behind Charlton gives a crisp cut-out profile.

For my second scenario, I moved the softbox to the camera right position. In the first shot there was no light on the back of Charlton's head. By moving the softbox camera right, the light added a separation between my subject and the background. I raised the camera-left light up to give his cheekbones some extra pop. Raising the light also allowed the light to flow equally over his face, hands and instrument.

If I can create dramatic shadows, I will. I find that shooting into shadows adds extra dimension to my photos. When you get a chance, give this a try. It's just two lights and one subject. Have fun!

Andy's Photo...
Andy had to re-qualify on the M-9 pistol today. Here is his evidence. He just told me he scored expert... again. Look out now!