Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace: Using kicker lights to add a punch to your high-key portraits

 

 

When creating high-key portraits, it is difficult to retain the trademark bright look of a high-key portrait without having your image become somewhat flat. In the video below, photographer Mark Wallace showcases his high-key lighting setup, which includes four lights.

By utilizing kicker lights, you can add a pop to your high-key portraits. First, you must set up your main light, which should be a large, soft light source. There should also be a light on your white background, to ensure that not only the background is a bright white, but also that there is separation between your subject and the background. Once the foundation has been established, Wallace adds a pair of kicker lights to each side of the model. These are not hair lights, but rather add a highlight to her face. To see the full lighting setup and learn how you can add or remove lights to augment the overall look, watch Wallace's full video below.

To see more educational videos like the one above, head to the Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace YouTube playlist. 

(Via Adorama)