Fotopunto.com: Explained lighting schemes

Explained lighting schemes

One image is more valuable than one thousand words, but when it comes to learn on lighting techniques, an only image is even more valuable.

Maurice Mc Duff (

Studio McMomo), from the canadian photographers association

QuebecPhotos, have prepared a set of photos with different lighting schemes, along an explanation and visual schematics for each one of them, explaining how he did them. An excellent opportunity to learn about new lighting schemes and to see how each detail in the scheme its later reflected in the final photo.

You can also take a look at our other article about specific lighting for a model's face:

Explained lighting schemes, lighting a face

Scheme 1

Copyright Photo Maurice Mc Duff © 2003-2007

Original white backgroung, resulting appearence light grey
1. Two superpose softboxes on the left. Value F8 @ ISO 100
2. One light with a diffuser to cut the subject shadow on the backgroung
3. Hairlight on top
3. Silver reflector near subject

Scheme 2

Original white backgroung, resulting appearence light grey
1. Two superpose softboxes on the left. Value F6,7 @ ISO 100
2. One light with a diffuser to cut the subject shadow on the backgroung
3. Silver reflector near subject

Scheme 3

Original white backgroung, resulting appearence light grey
1. Two superpose softboxes on the left. Value F8 @ ISO 100
2. Softbox ± F 5,6
3. One light with a diffuser to cut the subject shadow on the backgroung

Scheme 4

Black backgroung
1. Umbrella 60 in. silver at 9 feet high. Value F8 @ 100 ISO
2. Foamcore panel white

Scheme 5

Original white backgroung, resulting appearence white
1. Two superpose softboxes on the left. Value F11 @ ISO 100
2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high combine value ± F16
4. White reflector near subject

Scheme 6

Original white backgroung, resulting appearence white
1. Two superpose softboxes on the left. Value F8 @ ISO 100
2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high combine value ± F13
4. Silver reflector near subject
5. Fan

Scheme 7

Black background
1. Beauty dish reflector. Value F11 @ 100 ISO

Scheme 8

Red background hidden behind a white paper folding screen and a bath tub
1. Strip softbox. Value F8 @ 100 ISO
2. Softbox. Value F 5,6 @ 100 ISO
3 and 4. Flash with red filter directed at backdrop bottom
5 Cardboard
6. White paper folding screen elevated on a solid base.

Scheme 9

Original white backgroung, resulting appearence white
Mirror on the floor
1. Two superpose softboxes on the left. Value F 9,5 @ ISO 100
2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high combine value ± F16
3. Cardboard

Scheme 10

Background cloud canvas
Accessory, paper umbrella
1. Softbox, value F 9,5 @ 100 ISO
2- Strobe low power behind the umbrella

Scheme 11

Black background
1. Softbox. Value F11 @ 100 ISO
2. Cardboard

Scheme 12

Black background
1. Softbox. Value F8 @ 100 ISO
2. Strobe with barndoors and honeycomb grid 20 degres,variable intensity
3. Reflector white

Scheme 13

Dark grey background
Plexiglass sheet on the floor
1. Softbox elevated. Value F 9,5 @ 100 ISO
2. Silver reflector
3. Diffuser
4. Cardboard under the flash

Scheme 14

Original dark grey backgroung, resulting appearence very dark grey
1. Softbox on the left. Value F 9,5 @ ISO 100
2. Strip softbox ± F 5,6
3. Strobe (high) with barndoors and grid, 20 degree on the backgroung, low intensity

Scheme 15

White backgroung, model on the ground
1. One softbox positioned horizontally over the subject. Value F 7,1 @ ISO 100
2 and 3. Light with barndoors 8 feet high combine value ± F16

Scheme 16

White background
1. One softbox. Value F 11 @ ISO 100
2. Strobe with color gel red and barndoors on the floor value +F22

You can also take a look at our other article about specific lighting for a model's face:

Explained lighting schemes, lighting a face

About the author

Maurice Mc Duff (

Studio McMomo), a semi-retired worker who've rediscovered the passion of photography after a long 20 years interlude. He defines himself as a self-taught amateur portraitist working with professional tools. He shares his passion with numerous photographers, models and other artists by supporting a french speaking photography web forum based in Montreal, Canada.

http://www.quebecphotos.ca .
He gives free studio workshops to beginners and help develop new model portfolios: "I wish to become an accomplished artist and I dream to find another Adriana Lima!"

All the graphic lighting schemes on this articles are done thanks to the patterns that

Kevin Kertz, member of the photography forum

Fred Miranda, have developed. This patterns can be obtained in the following link:

Kevin Kertz Lighting Setup Photoshop Patterns

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