What happens when your portrait photography idea doesn’t work once you get on set? In this behind-the-scenes portrait lighting shoot, I work with award-winning barber Nieves to create hair competition images, but the original concept quickly falls apart.
After experimenting with reflections, plexiglass, Mylar, and different compositions, we realized the original idea wasn’t doing the most important thing: showing off the haircut. I had to rethink the concept and build a completely different studio lighting setup using multiple hard light sources to create the texture, shape, separation, and detail the final images needed.
Along the way, you’ll see how I troubleshoot portrait lighting, adjust hair and edge lights, control shadows, and make lighting decisions based on the needs of the client rather than becoming attached to the original idea.
Want to watch more of my real-world shoots and see how I develop my lighting from start to finish? Check out The Academy with John Gress. There’s a 30-day free trial at the link below.
FREE LIGHTING GUIDE https://johngress.com/downloads-giveaway-organic/
BOOKS & DIGITAL DOWNLOADS https://johngress.com/downloads/
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS https://johngress.com/workshops/
THE ACADEMY WITH JOHN GRESS https://johngress.com/academy/
MY PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR https://johngress.com/gear/
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:46 – The Original Concept
01:06 – The Idea Isn’t Working
01:32 – The Competition Crop
03:20 – Trying Another Reflection
04:24 – Finding a New Direction
04:46 – Building the New Setup
05:08 – Making Lighting Adjustments
07:01 – Refining the Hair Lighting
07:32 – Showing the Haircut
08:07 – Adjusting the Background
08:51 – Refining the Hair Lighting
10:55 – The Final Portrait
11:22 – What I Would Change
12:09 – Solving the Client’s Problem
Gear List
Elinchrom FIVE
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Elinchrom THREE
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Elinchrom ONE
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Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Strip Softbox 33 x 175 cm (13 x 69”)
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Softlite Silver Beauty Dish 44 cm (17″)
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Elinchrom 21 cm (8.3”) Standard Reflector with 30 Degree Grid
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Elinchrom 21 cm (8.3”) Grid Kit
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Studio Titan Camera Stand STA-01-360 MK2
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Studio Titan Side Kick STA-06-090
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Studio Titan Rack & Pinion Geared Crank Stand STA-06-200
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STUDIO TITAN AMERICA Double Beam Boom Arm (10.2’)
B&H: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1874091-REG/studio_titan_america_05_031_large_double_beam_light.html/BI/22160/KBID/28702/kw/ST05031/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xST05031
Kupo 40″ Master C-Stand Kit with Turtle Base Kit
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Kupo Baby Kit Stand with Square Legs (Black)
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Canon R5 Mark II
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Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip for EOS R5 Mark II
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Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM
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