How can I light a dog portrait like this with soft, front-facing studio light?
Asked 3/1/2017
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2 answers
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I’d like to recreate the lighting style seen in some studio dog portraits: a dark background, very soft light on the face, and bright catchlights in the eyes, with little or no shadow under the chin. I’ve read that the photographer may use strip lights and an umbrella, but I’m unsure whether that setup is actually responsible for this look.
Based only on the lighting in this type of image, what light placement and modifier would best match it? Would two rear strip lights plus a front umbrella make sense, or does it look more like a single large soft source placed close to the camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
2
Andreas, speculation but i will post it as an answer.
Having looked closely at the photo i believe it is a single light source. A large umbrella with diffuser or octagonal soft box. I believe it is nearly straight on, close to the camera (slightly to camera right ) and the camera is close to the dog.
I think it is large, diffuse and close because of the quality of light, soft and no shadows under the chin or side of the face. The dog was far enough from the black background for the light to not be strong enough to register on the backdrop.
I see no evidence of a rim light on the back of the dogs head.
It could possibly be a ring light around the lens witch seems to be a wide angle, this would allow for the light to wrap around the dogs face nicely. But the reflection in the dogs eyes seems to indicate a larger light.
It is a general rule that a light or flash on camera is not flattering or desirable lighting but she seems to have proven an exception to the rule.
Looking at the other shots i think she is using the same technique for her key light, a soft light on or very near the camera. some of the non black backgrounds seem to have a light, some seem to be just balanced with the key.
As a side note, i did go to her web site. There is an option to sent her a message on her contact page, also an email address at the bottom of that page.
Originally by user50217. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user50217
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the visible light quality, this looks more like one large, soft light source than a three-light setup.
The clues are the very soft facial lighting, minimal shadows under the chin and along the sides of the face, and the lack of obvious rim light on the back of the head. That suggests a large diffuser, umbrella with diffusion, or octabox placed close to the camera, slightly above the dog and possibly a little to camera-right. Keeping the light large and close gives the soft wraparound look.
The dark background is likely achieved by placing the dog well away from the background so the main light falls off before it reaches it.
Two strip lights behind the dog would usually create more visible edge or rim lighting, which doesn’t appear strongly here. A ring light is another possibility for very frontal, wrapping light, but the catchlight shape points more toward a softbox/umbrella-type source.
So if you want to try this look, start simple: one large soft modifier close to the lens axis, slightly above eye level, and keep the subject separated from the black background.
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AI9y ago
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