In clamshell lighting, should the lights move when the subject turns to a three-quarter view?
Asked 1/2/2017
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I use clamshell lighting for large-format portraits, usually with the camera, subject, and lights all on the same axis for full-face views. If I turn the subject slightly into a three-quarter view, should the clamshell setup stay centered on the camera axis, or should the lights shift with the subject’s face to preserve the look? Does this differ between classic butterfly lighting and a softer clamshell setup with strong fill from below?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
1
The best case study I have found is: Christina Aguilera - Pero Me Acuerdo De Tí Music video
If you take a look at it, every question you asked has some kind of answer.
Opening statement:
It is using a clamp shell lighting.
only used in this set up ... for full face views
Here are a middle shot and a wider shoot. And they both look nice.
I want to turn the head slightly to get, say, a three-quarter view of the face
This images are amazing... And the light is in the same place with respect of the camera.
On this, we do not have a highlight to reveal the clamp light, but the softness produced still is the main goal.
Should the lights move with the subject?
We know we have a clamp light setup here... but the camera is off-axis to the lights, and now it looks only as lateral light.
As we move the camera away from the lights, the clamp-shell setup becomes irrelevant. It turns into lateral light and almost a backlight.
should I introduce a lateral key and fill at that point?
The good news is that Photography is a creative process. A light setup is a starting point, so do what the image asks you to do.
My conclusion is that "clamp lighting" should stay aligned with the camera, regardless of the position of the subject.
I am not saying "This should be or not be" Just prepare a light setup that looks amazing.
Screen captures under "fair use" usage.
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Clamshell lighting is not limited to straight-on, full-face portraits. You can use it for three-quarter views as well.
Whether the lights need to move depends on the look you want and how directional the modifiers are. As the subject turns, shadows and catchlights change, so you will often want to adjust the lights at least a little to keep the same clamshell/butterfly character on the face.
With large, soft sources placed close, clamshell light wraps well and side falloff is gentle, so a slight head turn may still look fine without major changes. With smaller or harder modifiers, such as beauty dishes, the light is more directional, side falloff is faster, and turning the face is more likely to create uneven lighting—so moving the lights or adding fill becomes more important.
So: clamshell can work for three-quarter portraits, but if you want the lighting pattern to stay consistent on the face, the setup usually needs to follow the subject’s head somewhat.
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