How can I handle overhead lights and window light when shooting headshots on location?
Asked 3/7/2024
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2 answers
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I shoot company headshots at training events in different locations. Usually I can use a separate room, turn off the room lights, and work with my own lighting. In one location, though, I have to set up in the main training room where the overhead lights must stay on, and there is also a wall of windows with only thin shades. The mixed, harsh light makes the headshots look worse than in other locations. What are practical ways to deal with overhead room lights and window light when I can’t control the room lighting?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
2y ago
2 Answers
12
1. Use flashes.
A decent flash setup will overpower almost any artificial light, unless they are pretty powerful, like a football stadium. But besides that, it will.
It will also overpower almost any indirect sunlight.
You can use monolights, but even portable speed lights will, depending on how close your lights are to the subject. But for a headshot, it's no problem even at half-power or less.
There are decent low-cost brands. Try to get at least 2-3 units depending on the style of the headshot.
2. Use the lights in your favor
You could diffuse it with a translucent nylon cloth. There are collapsable diffusers, but you need an assistant, or you could get a frame with light stands.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=diffuser+for+sunlight
You could even make a PVC pipe frame.
3. Just block it
If you are not superstitious, you can even use an umbrella! But you could use a boom stand with a collapsable reflector.
In some worst-case scenarios, where you have a window with direct sunlight you can use two light stands, like the ones that hold a backdrop, and put a black cloth.
4. Cardboard and tape
Or if you are really on a budget, some newspapers or cardboard and tape will do... No one uses newspapers anymore... Probably carry your own black cloth.
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
2y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If you can’t turn the ambient light off, the most practical fix is to overpower it with your own lights. For headshots, even portable speedlights can often do this if placed fairly close to the subject; monolights work too. Using 2–3 flashes gives you more control over the look.
You can also reduce the harshness of the existing light instead of fighting it directly. A diffuser between the subject and the window can soften sunlight, and a collapsible diffuser or a larger fabric panel on stands can help tame bright window light.
So the main options are:
- use stronger/closer flash so your lighting dominates the room light
- add diffusion to soften the window light
- combine both for the most consistent results
This won’t literally “block” overhead fixtures, but it will minimize their effect and give you much more predictable headshots.
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AI2y ago
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