Discover how professional portrait photographer and Sony Artisan Scott Robert Lim utilizes a simple, yet effective three-light setup that adapts to almost any photographic situation. This versatile configuration, consisting of a main light, fill light and background light, is essential for photographers aiming to capture professional-quality portraits in various environments.
Photo by Scott Robert Lim. Sony Alpha 9 III. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/320-sec., f/1.2, ISO 400
How To Set Up Lighting For Portraits
Lim uses the Sony Alpha 9 III (Buy Now) for its global shutter capabilities during a portrait session. His approach to lighting provides photographers with the skills to manage lighting in any setting. By mastering this foundational setup, you can consistently produce high-quality portraits, regardless of environmental challenges.
Step 1: Control Ambient Light
In a studio or any controlled setting, it's crucial to eliminate ambient light interference. It will depend on the situation, but Lim recommends setting your camera to ISO 100, using a high f-stop like f/11, and maintaining a shutter speed below 1/200-sec. This ensures that ambient light doesn't affect your subject, a technique particularly useful in uncontrolled environments like gyms or large venues.
Step 2: Position The Main Light
The main light should be positioned to avoid spilling onto the background, allowing separate control over the subject and background lighting. Lim suggests using his magic formula for soft portrait lighting, which requires placing the main light at a distance from the subject equal to the desired light fall-off distance. Typically, this light is angled at 45 degrees to create a flattering shadow on the subject's cheek, adaptable to various poses.
Photo by Scott Robert Lim.
Step 3: Adjust The Fill Light
The fill light's role is to manage the shadow depth cast by the main light. It can either eliminate shadows or soften them as needed, providing flexibility to adjust the portrait's mood and contrast.
Step 4: Enhance With Background Light
The background light adds depth and creativity, especially when using colored gels. Lim advises against white backdrops for colored lighting due to their reflective nature. Instead, use medium gray or black backdrops to enhance color vibrancy for dramatic effects.
Photo by Scott Robert Lim. Sony Alpha 9 III. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/640-sec., f/2.2, ISO 800
By mastering this three-light setup, photographers can achieve consistent, high-quality results and adapt to different creative challenges. This setup not only enhances portrait quality but also allows for efficient experimentation with various styles and looks. You can also check out Lim's magic formula for soft portrait lighting.
For more tips and techniques from Scott Robert Lim, explore his Alpha Universe Profile and follow him on Instagram @scottrobertlim.
To level up your portraits with global shutter, purchase the Alpha 9 III.
Shop more of Scott Robert Lim’s kit in What's In My Bag: Everything You Need For An On-Location Portrait Session.
