Backlit Beauty Lighting for Portraits and Beauty Shots - Studio Lighting Tutorial

[@thedudedylan]

i am watching these videos again because Joe has the best damn lighting videos on the internet.

[@01keepurheadup]

I like the black back ground because the warm colors really pop off the cool back ground.

[@julianliues]

Like the black background one, it looks more contrasty and elegant .

[@RandellJohn]

I like the black background, the red beret and her lipstick really pop. I also like the pronounced highlights on her cheeks. Nice video Joe.

[@FrankNazario]

The black background photo absolutely blew me away!

Love the black one. The light in the sides of the elements is just perfect. Frames the face awesomely. Your are a terrific photographer Joe. What a creative way of light use! Greetings from Costa Rica

[@ookamidesu]

As always, great episode Joe. I am partial to the black background version of the shots, as it gives a little more contrast, and the highlights on her cheekbones gives more shape to her face. :)

[@dennismcgeady614]

I've always loved shooting against a white background. Your setup is truly creative. I will have to try that!

[@gnaek]

I prefer the black background... It creates an interesting contrast. I like contrasts... Great video!

[@Eiledon23]

I like the Black as I like the contrast aspect. I would like to say Thank you Joe for your tutorials!

[@ElieZ]

Scott Bourne sent me here - I am hooked on your videos. He didn't mention that you are hilarious but he definitely right about you being awesome.

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thank you Elie Z.! I appreciate the kind words and support!

[@victorrivera6375]

very nice work Joe. they both look great, but if I had to choose one, it'll be the one with the black back ground. ..she really pops out in that one. you're very encouraging Joe. thanks.

[@babarghias]

Great work. White one looks great.

[@skoukal88]

The black background for me... the colors and outfit are fabulous! Her pupils are smaller as well... Sk~

[@marlohorne4289]

Well I can't say which one is "best" as they are both 2 totally different shots. But they are both excellent photos. You do great work and for me this is your best tutorial for "the thinking photographer". I am always looking for new and creative lighting ideas and this one will bring something different to my body of work. I have also been using the constant lighting setup that you made a video on. 2, 4ft, 6 bulb light banks that can be purchased from home depot. My fiance actually bought them for me for my birthday. The photos that I take using those lights tend to be the favorites among my customers. I also made a ring light using a t12 bulb, but I want to remake it using a t8 or t5 if they make them. These constant lighting systems are less convenient, but are so much cheaper than buying strobes and flashes. It really is hard to beat making them. Anyway, keep up the good work Joe.

[@halshazly]

Very well done. I love both but if have to choose one I'd go with the white background.

[@SniperTrader2023]

I like em both. I'm kinda partial to the blown out white background look, but the black looks pretty cool too.

[@01keepurheadup]

Beautiful Joe, great job as always.

[@250GTOAJ]

I like your videos the current ones and these older ones, of the two photos i like the white background one the best.

[@theJoeEdelman]

Awesome Alan Johnstone! Thanks for commenting!

[@georgerobertsjr3936]

Joe, Great work. You make learning photography easy.

[@johanvorstermanvanoijen2626]

Hello Joe, very great and inspiring vid. I like the black version because of the highlights (rim). Very well done. And such an easy setup. My challenge is to do this in a small room.

[@ShotzCreatives]

Very useful info presented in an entertaining practical form. As always.

[@joseparcerisa4859]

Joe you are good, very good my friend. Congratulations.

[@soothingsoundvideos]

I'm going to give Capture One Pro a shot today! Thanks, Joe.

[@TomKaszuba]

Impossible to choose. That's a first for me. Both equally jaw dropping. Awesome tutorial. Thank you.

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thanks for commenting Tom Kaszuba!

[@vishweshwarkandalgaonkar3446]

Both shots are marvelous.

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thank you +Vishweshwar Kandalgaonkar ! Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any videos!

[@rugbyfowler]

Thanks for sharing another useful video Joe👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@InMission]

They are both great, but I like the black on, it provides more contrast, but mainly, it gives more a 3D perspective.

[@johnathonbrock867]

Just found this and love it !! Never thought about using this setup of lighting before.

[@diamondjones1650]

Love the video, and the dark background was my favorite. Keep up the good work.

[@racain21]

Well, I think I like both of them; however, I usually shoot low-key so the black works better for me...thanks again Joe..

[@haroldpatrick7772]

They are both great shots but I prefer the WHITE backdrop better because it is a softer shot and the softness of the light makes it more intimate. It also helps that she is looking at the camera which also adds to the interest in knowing 'What is she thinking?"

[@dhirajshetty483]

and I like the dark background Joe :)

[@johncarey7786]

I disagree Joe, there are definitely two best shots from this session :) Another awesome vid thanks

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thank you for the kind words John Carey ! Glad to have you as a subscriber!

[@danyounger8937]

I like the dark background.

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thanks for commenting Dan Younger!

[@MyJuancho2010]

Good tutorial.thank you..this is a Retouch Image.. it is possible to see original image . or what is the trick to get the cast light on her eyes?

[@SirGarny]

Great video. Please keep up the good work!

[@mai2akitas]

I like the one with the BLACK background.

[@kernpierre5103]

very awesome tutorial

[@gpjp8999]

Since I found your channel I've been learning a lot !! I mean "THE QUALITY LEARNING" !! I'm very lucky to find your channel on youtube! I'm about to buy some studio strobe. I'd like to ask you if a 200 watt strobe is enough to create a decent portrait photography? Thank so much for your teaching!!

[@RealtorMartin]

I like the black background a bit better for a couple reasons: the red hat and lipstick pop a bit more, I like her facial expression and eyes better (although I miss the catch light), and the winter hat and jacket go together better than the winter hat and bare shoulders. Like the vest too, btw. Thanks for the technique!

[@howardmoskovitz6811]

I love both shots. My preference depends on my intended use. The black BG really makes the Reds pop but if I were going to use this shot for a magazine cover or a web site I'd go with the white BG because I'd probably render the BG transparent in Photoshop and it's much more effective to do that with the white BG since there is more contrast between the BG and the model. Great videos - keep up the good work!

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thank you for the kind words +Howard Moskovitz ! Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any videos and PLEASE share and spread the word!

[@hk9318]

Great Video and thank you for your time to explain...

[@CaptChet]

Great video, perhaps the best of the series yet! That's a loaded question as to which is better. Most would probably say the black (and I see do) but only for the drama of the photograph. They are both excellent (perhaps the black one the highlights on the cheeks are a bit strong...) but I think the real answer is what is the intended use? Knowing that would then suggest which is the 'best' shot. Otherwise, it comes down to personal preference and which pose you may like best. Both are great and generally speaking it would be a tie - then just personal preference. PS nice chattin with you the other day!

[@fernandoducatti3503]

Amazing light!

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thanks Fernando Ducatti and THANKS for subscribing - great to have you along for the ride!

[@davidparker6944]

I also light the dark, background shot. Seems like there is more contrast on the model.

[@theonemox]

Your videos are great! Very easy to understand/clear.. congrats on being a great teacher!

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thank you +moxsum ! I sincerely appreciate the kind words!

[@castieldiallo2945]

+Joe Edelman here is a challenge for you, squire. we both own d810s. how about doing a night time outdoor shoot with that camera and a couple of lights?

[@philipzivnuska8850]

Question: On the second shot, did you still have the 30 degree grid and barn doors on the B400 lights and if so, how did you get enough light on the reflectors to illuminate the face? BTW, two wonderful images. Love them both. Phil Zivnuska

[@HasanNYC]

For black background photograph, would it be possible to block some accent light by partial flagging? Great video as always, BTW.

[@itsKam928]

I like the photo number 2 :) and tnx for every video,um leaning alot from u,keep it up please :)

[@Timinator62]

Hi Joe, I love All of your Portraits, to choose between these two is very tough but, I'll say that to me, when I see a high key white background shot, I think "Product Shot or Catalog Shot" and that's not a bad thing but, I like the Black Background shot, there's more drama and perhaps "interest" with the textures of the Hat, Skin, Hair the rim light etc. I also think psychologically perhaps when I look at the high key version....it's missing a pronounced catch light in the eyes. Capture 1 Pro and Tether: I've downloaded the trial and have used it a few times, it's pretty awesome. I would recommend a USB active repeater cable to link to the camera, it draws power from the Laptop and you can get long cables (mines 30 ft) so you can really take advantage of viewing in High Res. like moving your Laptop across the room next to a TV and run your Laptop video out to the TV and both you and your models can see, as you shoot. I actually prefer to NOT be tethered when shooting people, so I use a Wi-Fi SD card and have it programmed to send files to my Laptop and my Laptop has a special Wireless Network that links to the card and the card sends just the .jpg to a folder on the Laptop ( the .jpg is faster to transfer than the RAW) and then I have Lightroom Auto Update to that folder and so as I shoot, Lightroom displays the shot full screen in about 3 seconds....I haven't checked to see if Capture 1 has something like that...hmmmmm.

[@LakerTriangle]

I like the black better because the black gives depth to the image.

[@capitanknightfilms3986]

very nice if you have that budget and the space ! but i think it can b done with 3 off shoe flashes too and a reflector ! i will give it a go and see what happends

[@theJoeEdelman]

Actually it is a very small space Capitan Knight Films and it absolutely could be done with speedlights. I never said that it couldn't. Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any videos! Here is the studio that it was shot in: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZjKl4eGfraWftU

[@pradipkotecha4058]

Hi Joe. Hope you are well. I am a passionate photographer generally but more so for People...Newly born...Toddlers and family portraits and wanting to go on Beauty shots. Your videos are an excellent inspiration. Looking forward to any more that you will upload and perhaps with a live shoot showing us togs a step by step vision on how to pose/set the lights with the meter readings and where taken from....as seen on other sites....makes things very easy to understand and practice. Cant wait to see more work from you. Regards Pradip Kotecha.

[@DanteRiccelli1]

I like the black background more because it gives a feeling and more thoughts than the white one does

[@smartmediagr]

I like both and find the black background more attractive plus the expression of model face, the combination of red and black in unique, i do not like the small portion of light in the cheeks. Overall great work Joe..

[@theJoeEdelman]

Thank you for the kind words Chris Petalas ! Great to have you as a subscriber!

[@mai2akitas]

Joe, do you have any problem with that program shutting down form time to time?

[@BooYaa69]

I love your style brother :-)

[@barkyvonschnauzer2188]

I'm digging your studio set up for tis shoot. I'm going to copy it for my headshot shoots from here on in. I love the Paul C's there awesome.. I loved the first shot with the white background. I was just wondering where you took your meter reading so as to get the right amount of light on subjects face? Thanks again.

[@karstenbursak8083]

thx for this excellent tutorial ... greetz from germany

[@hernanf4177]

I recently found your work and I'm start following and learn a lot form your videos. Both images are stunning. If you let me, I would like to add a small piece of feedback and I'll like to point that she has a beautiful eyes but the pupil are big and take away the full color of the eye. That is (you know better than me) product of working in low ambient light and use a strobe light. I experimented (works for me) with a small flash light pointing at the face just a second before take the picture so the pupil reduces the size. Please, keep doing the videos and thanks for that. Hernan

[@theJoeEdelman]

That is a by product of the set-up that I demonstrated H F. I would NEVER aim a flashlight at a subjects eyes to adjust the pupils. That is both unsafe and awkward. If you watch enough of my lighting videos - I talk about pupil size and using continuous light to limit it when desired.

[@Fitografo]

Nice work

[@joeyu1764]

Hi Joe, fan and follower but first time leaving comment. Very insightful lesson and I learn and enjoy watching all your series of lesson! Both final photos are different but if I had to pick one I like the black one. Question: for the Alien Bee lights, where did you buy the Barnyard doors and 30 degree grid? Is it from Paul C Buff Brand? Thanks in advance

[@CRXSLY]

love both! :)

[@vasili400]

I really like the photo with the background overexposed, and I "discard" the one with the black background mainly because the lighting on the jaw is too distracting for me. Thanks for your videos, I am a big fan of your work, the way you transmit your knowledge it is very helpfull, efective and easy to follow despite that english is not my first lenguage.

[@carstenhoeifoto]

Joe, your "behind-the-scene-videos" is a huge inspiration for a HA-photographer (HA=Hopeless Amature) like me...

[@ReneBang]

Hi Joe. It would be really nice if you could tell us why CaptureOne is that much better than Lightroom?

[@ReneBang]

***** Thanks - Looking forward to learn more. I did download the program and i find out that the skin tone improvement, was due to added WB in CaptureOne. It was a disappointment, because that was the main reason why I considered it in the first place. Although I rejected the program, I also found that it was blazingly fast to pull the images in for reviewing.I found that the program was designed for professionals for whom time is money. But I still chose to stick to the familiar Lightroom that I know inside out. I think that many find it difficult to find time to learn new major programs into a busy schedule. (Sorry, my english is not that good).

[@myschacooper7564]

the low key, black background, photo was my favorite. It is very dynamic, and has an energy all it's own!!!

[@Stoupik]

I HATE YOUR MOIRÉ VEST!!! Couldn't take my eyes off it. :) Great video, btw, thank you for sharing this technique. As for the favourite shot, the darker one would be my choice. First reason doesn't have to do anything with the light setup, but I like her expression more on this picture. The second reason is the beautiful rim light, which is more pronounced on the second photo. But both photos are excellent.

[@Stoupik]

***** Thank you for your reply. Let me just say, that I really apprecieate your effort put in these videos. They are very infromative, contain great tips and covers very interesting topics. So keep it up and I am sure that subscriptions and users' apprecation will grow. Good day, sir.

[@dhirajshetty483]

thanks again!

[@rebelintel]

The low key makes more sense and seems a better pose and expression to me.

[@aidamohsen]

I liked your videos.. thanks for sharing

[@brettharris626]

Capture Pro is also for Sony too..

[@theJoeEdelman]

Sorry Brett Harris, I didn't mean to diss Sony ! Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any videos!

[@FerreiraLorenco]

The one with the black background looks better on my opinion, maybe because it shows more details then the one with a white background,

[@djplanespain]

Thanks.

[@1990kurder]

Both are pretty nice, but I liked the black background the most, coze there were more shadow on the models face.

[@Samtagri]

Black backgrounds always have an edge. They compete less for attention with the subject of the photo.

[@beeferish]

I like the white background shot . It is softer and the focus does not go to the highlights on her face.

[@theJoeEdelman]

Agreed Terry Le Boeuf - the white is also my favorite. THANKS for subscribing - great to have you along for the ride!

[@americandowninbrazil]

Joe, I don't like what you are doing. .. I love what you are doing! Thanks for an informative, interesting video for a Newby like me. oh yes, I prefer the dark background as hot because of her smile, but these two shots teach us the importance of a catch light. Without it her eyes look somewhat eery!

[@aperturephotography6162]

awesome video.... You are the best Joe... I had seen thousands od videos on You Tube... Still you are great. If you ever come down to South Florida to teach.. let me know.. I will be there.

[@ronnieacebedo1058]

black background it is...

[@gskowal]

I like both but I like the black background a bit more. And what's up with this trend of open mouths?

[@usarmyizzy]

Black background is my choice...it has a glamor softer effect created by the lower chin lights...To be honest the Facial expression on the white background is totally horrible...the lighting is totally right on but .. it does NOT reflect your style, That is my opinion

[@TheDevilakshmi]

black background!

Love the black one. The light in the sides of the elements is just perfect. Frames the face awesomely. Your are a terrific photographer Joe. What a creative way of light use! Greetings from Costa Rica