Checkerboard Lighting with One Light | Inside Fashion and Beauty Photography with Lindsay Adler

Checkerboard lighting gets its name from the juxtaposition of highlight and shadow in the image. To put it simply, the highlight side of the face is against the darker side of the background and then the shadow side of the face is against the brighter side of the background. In other words, light against dark, and dark against light!
This technique can be done subtly to create a bit of depth, separation, and contrast in an image, or can be very dramatic to create something more bold and graphic.
This type of look has been used for many decades by many of the masters of photography, most notably it was a favorite technique of Irving Penn. His carefully sculpted portraiture often used a version of this visual contrast. While he typically used a single light source and blocking light, this look can be achieved using hard or soft light and even multiple light sources.
Step 1: Begin by using a light-toned background. You will need to be able to create both highlight and shadow on a single background, so using something like dark grey or black will not work. Aim for light grey, white, or a lightly textured canvas. In this example, I used the Savage Universal Super White seamless paper background.
Step 2: To achieve the checkerboard effect you must begin by creating distinct areas of highlight and shadow on the face. In other words, flat light won’t work! Move your main light source off to the side to create shadows on the face.
In this example, I used the Profoto D2 with a Magnum Reflector (hard light modifier) and moved the light into a Rembrandt light position. This creates a distinct triangle highlight under the eye on the shadow side of the face (here camera right). The choice of a hard light modifier creates shadows that are more defined (both on the subject’s face and the background).
Step 3: Now that there are defined highlight areas and shadow areas you now can begin to play with shadows in the background.
If you are using a single light source you can begin by trying to feather the light. In other words, you can point the light across the frame (away from the background) as you attempt to make the background appear darker on the left side of the frame in order to be a stark contrast to the face on the left.
This, can be more challenging to control. For that reason, in this setup, I chose to add a flag into the shot to selectively block the light. A flag is anything that can be used to block the light; you could use a V-Flat, a piece of cinefoil, or even a piece of cardboard if you must- you whatever you have on hand! I used a Matthews 24x36 black flag to block light from the left side of the frame (held up by a C-stand and knuckle).
I carefully positioned the flag to cast a shadow on the background directly behind the subject for a more defined shadow. Because my main light source was a hard light modifier, this makes the shadow transitions even more abrupt.
Remember that the closer you bring the flag (or thing blocking light) to the background, the more defined the shadow edges will be. As you move it away from the background and closer to the light source, the softer the edge will be.
Step 4: As you capture the image, remember that slight movements in camera angle, perspective, and subject’s pose may throw off the alignment of your checkerboard lighting, so keep an eye on it!
You can see in the video that the shoot was captured in a very small footprint and using minimal gear. In fact, a bare bulb and a piece of cardboard could do the trick in a pinch! While the results could be done in black and white or color, by choosing to process in high contrast black and white I am able to create a graphic and timeless result.
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Canon R5
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Canon RF 24-105mm 4.0
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Profoto D2
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Profoto Magnum Reflector
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Savage Universal Super White
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Matthews 24x36" flag
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Avenger C-Stand
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#portraitphotography #lightingtutorial #adorama
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________________________________
Lindsay Adler
learnwithlindsa...
Samuel Bouret
/ samuelbouret
Makeup: Joanne Gair
Hair: Linh Nguyen
Styling: Raytell Bridges
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@bird271828]

Lindsay, I like the time, effort and thought you put into this lighting technique. And how you explain it. Well done👏👏👏👏

[@MH7_256]

I could watch this a million times!

[@garyF765]

Lindsay you are such a good communicator of photography techniques. Thank you for sharing so many ideas to the world so everyone can oncrease their knowledge and non photographers can better appreciate our work.

[@barkyvonschnauzer2188]

Who wouldn't want to be photographed by Lindsay. Beautiful work as always. Hope to see her at ShutterFest this year. xoxoxo

[@alexanderpons9246]

I have always liked the way Irving Penn's studio fashion images looked like, thank you Lindsay Adler for featuring The Checkerboard Lighting its good to learn terminology!

[@derryk1]

You nailed that shot at 7:40 that is a Vogue cover right there.

[@BraxtonHolley]

I wish Lindsay had a daily show she explains everything perfectly and then creates a great image. Thank you for your knowledge and helping us all!!!

[@allanosantiago5955]

Another great tutorial on lighting, Lindsay. Thank you for continuously sharing your creative gift in photography. GOD bless.

[@stevebuesden]

Great demo.

[@kchhunphoto]

Thank you Adorama and Lindsay this guide is amazing, I can't wait to try it.

[@samuelchuks3021]

This lighting technic is masterpiece, I'm inspired. Thanks for the tips.

[@JohnChubbSr]

This is the first time I've heard of Checkerboard lighting, and it is Awesome!!!

[@theapocalypsechronicles3]

That's brilliant. Thank you. So simple when you know how.

[@Manuelordorica880]

Hello Lindsay. I really liked this tip. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@cesarruiz1424]

¡Al ver cómo iluminas parece tan fácil! Pero cuando se domina la tecnica, es fácil. Lo difícil es concebir la idea. Sos maravillosa enseñando, gracias.

[@lukeventers4755]

Great video, Lindsay. Hello again from MT!

[@mohammadalanazi4977]

Thanks for this! And your model is stunning!

[@davedonnelly8039]

Great video and using minimal kit for a stunning look !

[@andrea_s5224]

Lindsay, I love Your energy, style mood and research on each your photo. Thank You!

[@jimgsewell]

Those pictures are so nice, I'd call it chessboard lighting. Thank you for the tutorial.

[@leonmcpherson8258]

Love this, going to try it tonight. Your model has a gift for remaining perfectly still. Bravo.

[@TheSphynxSquad]

I absolutely love, love your work! Truly stunning!

[@5120518]

Thanks, nice to see that with a small amount of equipment great results are possible!

[@josephchan4198]

I always learn a lot from these videos. Awesome work as always.

[@tricknee253]

Love the results and wonderful breakdown of the technique. Thank you for sharing.

[@Bob-Horse]

Nice video Lindsay, as usual. I really like the way you explain things and of course your work. ❤️🙏🏻

[@JosephFerricags]

Another great video Lindsay, thank you.

[@kirkhoover4609]

Absolutely fantastic tutorial! Thank you!!

[@mirandavandenberk786]

Wow,I go try this. Thank you so much

[@AbSesayPhoto]

Great Job Lindsay. Great technique and the images are stunning.

[@carlwarrenphoto]

Thank you, Lindsey I just got a new background and will be applying this. Great ideas to use in my own work peace stay safe

[@EdwardKilner]

This was very interesting and presented very well. Thank you for taking us through this at a pace that was just perfect. The model’s makeup was perfect for this shoot. Also, nice shoes …

[@FotomakerAcademy]

Agreed on all points! ;-)

[@joannaniedzwiedzka6595]

amazing as always!

[@kwalityphotospics7724]

I LOVE YOUR WORK!

[@Bananaboogiebone]

fantastic Lindsay Thank you

[@tommynikon2283]

FANTASTIC! Lindsay- I'm a longtime commercial shooter, degreed in same/66; like yourself- studied/admired the greats:...Avedon, Penn, plus MANY more, But: YOU are up there in the photographic pantheon of Greats. Period. #HugeTALENT ps: I love Annie, but she can't talk about the process/SHOW- Teach, like your can. #Kudos

[@Will-qz5jw]

Merci Lindsay. Great content, inspiring, detailled and lovely explained

[@ramyahmed787]

great effort .. ammazing results .. thank you so much

[@Drinckx2]

Excellent! Very well explained.

[@andyv6127]

That looks really cool! Thanks

[@Nicosalgadophotography]

Learned this technique from youuuuuu ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

xoxo

[@jhenry248]

Outstanding, On my way to hobby lobby to get a black form board. ❤️

[@SlamBradley]

This was awesome

[@gme_to_the_moon-v1p]

What a legend!

[@paultrunfull3324]

Nice and simple, thank you.

[@hajmanek]

Amazing technique 🥰

[@samanthaodonnell4329]

Great video :-) We did similar at college, using two lights. They referred to it as chiaroscuro :-)

[@bobrob8839]

Great tutorial! Can you share what setup you’re using to hang the seamless? Looks like two autopoles with a custom crossbar?

[@FrameCrafts]

Thank you for this tutorial 🙏

[@manoharmgr8235]

SUPER. SUPER , THE BEST VIDEOS நன்றாக இருக்கிறது வாழ்த்துக்கள் R.MANOHAR-CHENNAI

[@makhendla]

This is a beautiful inspiring presentation, well structured and presented. I have one question though, I might have missed it, what were your camera settings?

[@andrewgreen2726]

My God, I thought Lindsay was using a mannequin in this shoot. My heart almost jumped out of my chest when the model moved!!

[@riffraff778]

Beautiful.

[@cjsSeidel.and.art.]

I love to work like this

[@algeriastreetdjam70]

you are just amazing

[@Spesentoni]

Really great job Lindsay! How is this cute hat called? Greetings from Austria - Toni

[@JB_Photography]

Awesome...

[@paul.arevalo]

Queen.

[@viktoriozzz]

🔥🔥🔥

[@ekphotography]

Nice one but those reflectors were all made for the older style of flashes where the tube was exposed outwards. They still work but with the same effect like they do on the Pro versions of profoto lights. The newer style with the bulb hidden inside do not do the same thing on any modifier. Bummer but true.

[@bnkakl]

you re awesome L.A.

[@TheGazzadj]

Anyone know where in the UK I could buy a headpiece like this please? Lowish budget.

[@DiegoneSv]

👏👏

[@robertdominis8920]

This lighting technique is also known as chiaroscuro.

[@SwoleBeastTribe]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 - Swole Beast🤙🏽🙏🏽✌🏽 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 L I T T T !

[@sijilo]

☺️

[@chazM6116]

Shame you did not talk about how you got your meter reading as she looks blown out on the highlights on my screen

[@lindsayadlerphoto]

I don't meter unless every shot has to be consistently the same and sometimes the blown out look is what I'm going for. I don't always play by the rules. :D

[@allisondiller]

Couldn't you also turn her more and simultaneously rotate the light around her more, creating the same Rembrandt triangle, but casting less light onto the background? Granted, it would still have falloff, so it wouldn't be super sharp. But you wouldn't need a flag if the falloff all happens behind your subject.

[@manuelrodriguez1818]

Am I the only one that noticed the nuckle on the left and got uncomfortable? Might be the years on lighting dept haha