Hair Light With Speedlights | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

As the name suggests the basic function of a hair light is to add some illumination to your subject's head. There are many reasons why you might want to use a hair light in portrait photography but typically the hair light is used to add separation between your model and their background...
A Speedlight is an excellent choice for a hair light. Used just on their own, a speedlight with a zoom head adds a good level of control over the spread of light but they can also be used in tandem with light modifiers such as stripbox.
In this video photographer Gavin Hoey takes you on a journey examining how a hair light can work as a stand-alone light. He then goes on to make the hair light work a little harder by making it a hair and background light. Finally, Gavin turns his hair light into a light that does three things: a hair light, background light, and key light all from one single Speedlight.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:20 Camera settings and key light exposure
2:40 Bare speedlight as a hair light
3:34 Stripbox as a hair light
5:05 Stripbox as a hair-light photo session
5:37 Double-duty hair and background light
7:05 Double-duty photo session
8:01 Triple duty hair, background, and key light
10:01 Triple-duty photo session
10:55 Conclusions and Subscribe
11:37 How to fold a pop-up background... FAST!
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Flashpoint Zoom Li-on X Speedlight
www.adorama.com/fplfsmzlxo.html
Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III Speedlight
www.adorama.com/fplfsmzloiii....
OM SYSTEM OM-1
www.adorama.com/iomom1.html
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
www.adorama.com/iom1240pb.html
Lexar Professional 1667x 64GB SDXC UHS-II/U3 Memory Card
www.adorama.com/ilxsd64g1667....
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
www.adorama.com/fprrr2proo.html
Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm
www.adorama.com/fplsc.html
Tether Tools Pro 16' USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable
www.adorama.com/ttcu1917.html
Manfrotto Magnetic Background Support Kit
www.adorama.com/lslb1121.html
Manfrotto 5x7' Vintage Collapsible Background, Smoke/Concrete
www.adorama.com/ls57bcksmke.html
Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Strip Softbox
www.adorama.com/glsbez1236.html
Glow HexaPop 24" II Octagonal Softbox
www.adorama.com/glsbhp24v2.html
Glow ParaPop OTA-C Softbox Adapter
www.adorama.com/glsbppotac.html
Glow OTA Adapter Handle
www.adorama.com/glsbppotah.html
#hairlight #speedlight #adorama
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Follow Gavin on
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Model and MUA Sophie Daly
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@diklongley01]

Gavins teaching style seems easy and effortless...and effective.

[@cosmo0080]

Gavins teaching style seems easy and effortless.that is because he know what he is doing also he does rehearsal before the final cut

[@dunnymonster]

Always entertaining and enlightening Gavin, thankyou 👍

[@PeveVisuals]

I adore speedlights, so compact. And I adore this video, practical and useable as most of the time!

[@bleuswiffer]

Outstanding as always Gavin and modell!

[@Stevie-F]

Another fantastic video. 👌🏼👍🏼 well done 👏🏻

[@BTcycle]

Awesome to see what magic Gavin can do when we share the same stripbox.

[@marcorosa692]

Always clear and simple. Thanks from Brazil Gavin.

[@BillBooz]

Gavin, been away from flash photography and your videos for a few years but back and remember how much I’ve always loved your videos as they are so practical. Love how you step us through the problem solving process! Thank you.

[@jesseephotography6880]

A MASTER OF LIGHT ❤❤❤❤

[@alexanderpons9246]

Oh wow that was a great video, love how all three set ups made great images! I can now see how for Hair Light a strip bank is perfect as it contains the spill. Thank you Gavin Hoey and ADORAMA for all these great videos on your channel!

[@mirandavandenberk786]

Beautiful, you such a great teacher, thank you

[@jbliborio]

Gavin, maybe it's sound silly but the best of your videos is the sensation I can go to this studio right away and I can REALLY do it. Thanks a lot.

[@BrunoKamiche]

Just beautiful!

[@richardsears6005]

as always informative and entertaining

[@tonyclarke5068]

The natural vignette at 6:59, is gold. Great going Gavin..

[@curtisclement]

Of all the content creators you teach me the most. Thank you Gavin!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words Curt 😊

[@paulbell9957]

Fantastic as always Gavin, great set ups with beautiful results 😊😊

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@peterdenyer3002]

Another winner as usual.

[@alanroderick7153]

Excellent video, as always. Did like the B&W treatment. Thanks to all

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Alan 👍

[@garyhook6583]

Thanks Gavin. I really appreciated/enjoyed the developmental approach of getting your flash power settings. It was nice to see how you trouble shot and tried different settings. In a perfect world it would have also been interesting to see you experiment with moving the modifiers forward and backwards to adjust to 'outcome'. Great job and masterful folding technique 🙂

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Gavin and Sophie... a win-win combination every time. Always a pleasure to watch you work, hear your thoughts, and see the super-nice results! :)

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words Mike.

[@DavidVelezPhotography]

Thank you, Gavin. As always, Sophie needs little to no guidance. A master in her craft! And of course, your behind the scene staff, that keep you in check😉

[@smilerjon3670]

Just want to say thank you to you Gavin. As I've been away from photography for a very long time because I lost creativity and so on. So glad I've started watching your tutorials again as I have found that spark again and beginning to get the inspiration back. So thank you. :). Oh, you have a look of Joe Thomas, from The Inbetweeners, who played Simon. :)

[@thats_mr_b_]

Looooove these. Going to do this set up this weekend

[@pathogan4854]

Yet another masterclass Gavin Thank you and Sophie who looked particularly gorgeous in this shoot

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Pat 👍

[@RYstudio202_PA]

Very informative! Enjoyed your presentation.

[@lisapalzer2511]

Very helpful, thanks Gavin!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Lisa 👍

[@bengi100]

I am learning so much. Thank you

[@paulmercier358]

Great, as usual !

[@marcusprime357]

Like that two light setup Gavin. Nice work!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Marcus, two lights is nice number to work with 😉

[@AbSesayPhoto]

Well done as always Gavin.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Ab, most kind of you to say so 😊

[@vstudioschennai6646]

AWESOME TO SEE SIR

[@jonicesar]

I am from Brazil. Your videos are spectacular.

[@johnclay7644]

Great video Gavin, good imagery too.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks John 👍

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing another greate video.

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

Wahoo Gavin is back and is always amazing 👏

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kirsty 😃

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

@@GavinHoey your welcome

[@josephchan4198]

A great instructor.

[@paulmullin3202]

That was really interesting thank you .

[@tourinojacks5844]

Great informative tutorial video.

[@charleyl264]

Thanks Gavin.

[@jcblum1507]

The Amazing Gavin and 😍 Sophiet!!!

[@marcjones7486]

I was just thinking that last setup would be great for black & white and then you said it. I really like how those look.

[@GavinHoey]

I'm reading your mind Marc 😉

[@mintdel333]

Thanks for lesson

[@pedrocapelastube]

Gavin! I've officially watched all your videos! From 15 years ago to today! Congrats on your work and what you've been given to us photographers! I have a bit of a challenge for you... maybe a 15min challenge... ? You always shoot with one model. How about 3 or 4 or 5 ??... A lot of diferent light approaches to consider.... I hope I've turned your day into gray...... 😁

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the support Pedro. A group shoot would be interesting for sure. Spoiler alert... the bigger the group the flatter the light I use. Not exciting lighting but useful info.

[@gintasceplevicius6364]

Fantastic video as always. Gavin, could you do video about focusing please. How are you focusing on subject that you photos are so sharp.Are you using any focus assist when focusing in low light situations or exposing for ambient light,etc.What is your secret.Many thanks in advance.

[@alanplatt888]

Brilliant

[@ManuelCampilho]

The best of the best part was the end :)

[@GavinHoey]

Well done for making it that far Manuel 😉

[@sportpicturescymru]

Hi Gavin. Great video. If we want to buy the softbox, it directs us to a US site. They seem to be unavailable over here in the UK unfortunately.

[@DobbsyLondon]

Batter level at the start.....Nice 😜

[@cosmo0080]

some speed lights do have modelling lams example but not limited to is the YN650EX-RF thank you for the video

[@GavinHoey]

Both the speedlights from Flashpoint I'm using also have modeling LED lights but neither are useful in a bright room. Gear links are in the video description if you want to check out the specs 👍

[@DylanRichardson841]

Fantastic way to show off the flexibility of speedlights. In the last set up with the one speedlight doing triple duty is there any chance that you could have filled in the shadows a bit with a white or silver reflector?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Dylan. A careful placed silver reflector would be the way to go. Would it be the same as using a 2nd flash? No, but perhaps different is a good thing 😉

[@gmindcreations]

We have the amazing......Gavin Hoey I have a question. I usually use Godox TT560II speelight to trigger my Yongnuo flash for my 2 light setup. Now, i just got Godox V850II but i don't know how to trigger with the flash coming from my TT560II. Any help? Thanks in anticipation.

[@truthsayers8725]

while have a couple of those type striplights, i dont have any softbox thats as small as yours. would it make much difference with a bigger softbox or a square sb?

[@rockj8197]

If the back light is more of a kicker glancing off the side of the hair/face, does it need to be a modifier? Thanks!

[@RalfWeyer]

Another great tutorial, thanks a lot Gavin. And it shows that you can do a lot of things with a speedlight already, not always a big strobe is necessary (of course that will give you more options). But there is one question Gavin, do you do some skin retouching on these images? I always wonder since the skin always looks very soft and even, whereas I see my images with flash and the skin looks somewhat harsh. And yes, Sophie and the other models seem to have very nice skin already 😉, just curious.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Ralf. Sophie has the most amazing skin tone and is a highly experienced (think Hollywood films) MUA so I never need to to retouch her skin. Good make-up that's done with photography in mind will save you hours of retouching, trust me!

[@66xtopher]

Another classic demonstration by Gavin. Was good to meet you at Park Cameras a while back with your OM macro talk and thanks for the chat! Was the softboxes just single diffision? (mine have double diffusion and my flashes aren`t powerful enough to get through th inner and outer diffusion).

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Chris, it was great to meet you too. To be honest I can't recall but when it comes to speedlights I usually run with just the outer diffuser and the flash zoom set as wide as possible.

[@sijilo]

😊

[@mikeletson1962]

It's interesting how bright the room is yet the end result is a low key image.

[@curtisclement]

Nice table you have a link for it?

[@JoshuaJEnriquez]

What are you tethering to?

[@PeterSzaban]

Curious if you could have used a 3 stop ND filter and 1/250sec if HSS was not available. Would the key Speedlite power top out? I run across this problem a lot with speedlites outdoors, even in the shade Thanks for the video!.

[@GavinHoey]

Good question Peter. A 3 stop ND filter would have replaced HSS flash but you're right, I'd would have run out of flash power and my only option would have been more flash (move it closer / add another flash)

[@PeterSzaban]

@@GavinHoey Cool! Thanks so much for responding.

[@corykphotography]

I need as many speedlight tutorials as I can get. Outdoor ones as well. I dont know what i am doing wrong. I have the Godox tt685 and the flashpoint zoom mini R2(godox tt350) for my Olympus cameras.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Cory. With the weather improving, expect some more outdoor tutorials soonish ☀

[@magic2k6]

What program is he using for liveview?

[@GB-AK]

For the Glow strip box did did you have internal diffuser panel and/or the deflector plate or just the outer diffuser?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Greg. To be honest I can't recall but when it comes to speedlights I usually run with just the outer diffuser and the flash zoom set as wide as possible.

[@chiluverunandu5747]

From where do you get these backdrop and how much it costs?

[@WooSB-zw9sq]

👋👋👋

[@salvafuentes5768]

SUBTÍTULOS EN ESPAÑOL...por favor Gavin !!

[@FU2Max]

Why are you using 1/2000th hi speed or am i missing something here? great vid as always Gavin. EDIT - Yeah ok to get rid of the room lighting

[@GavinHoey]

You got it 👍

[@AndrewBudell]

I see the tether cable, but how are you getting the iPad/screen in the background to display the shot?

[@PaulMcElligott]

In his case, I think he’s running the Olympus app on a computer, and that shows the most recent image on the screen. You can also do that with Lightroom and probably Capture One as well.

[@charleschristphotography6019]

Nice work. Not to many show the hair light from the top rear. Also, your shooting at 1/2000? Were you on HSS? Doesn’t say.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Charles. HSS all the way here and I think I mentioned it at the start but it wasn't a vital part of the process.

[@mohammadrefaat6087]

why did you use 1/2000 shutter speed?

[@kenharnish5778]

Great video. But who can afford that equipment and a model of that caliber?

[@JohnDoe-gb3zh]

What do you set a white balance to in all these videos? Probably it is set to 'Flash' but I wanted to be sure

[@GavinHoey]

Hi John. Take another look at my screen 1:35 and there's lots of extra info including CWB 5600 😉

[@JohnDoe-gb3zh]

@@GavinHoey Thanks. Is this a specific WB that you found to be correct for your strobes ? Or is it a number that you would use universally for any strobe?

[@terryleephotographer]

@Gavin How do you pull up this screen on the OM- 1 at 1:39 ?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Terry. When reviewing photos press the info button a couple of times. If you can see it, rummage around the the menu to turn it on.

[@terryleephotographer]

@@GavinHoey Found it. Thanks so much!

[@requirementswizard]

Hi Gavin, Why do you check if there is no ambient light? Can you please explain?

[@GavinHoey]

No flash, no photo is essential to stop any ambient light being recorded. Mixing flash and ambient can cause colour casts, sharp and blurred images and generally unexpected results. I talk about it and demo in detail on this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4OpaKKZr51-a6c

[@slowlyrusting4044]

With no ambient light HE is in complete control of all the light(s) in the room.

[@requirementswizard]

@@GavinHoey Thanks a lot Gavin. Your creativity is just amazing and I love watching your KZbin videos. I am new into strobes and studio photography and learning a lot from your videos. Keep it up.

[@requirementswizard]

@@GavinHoey So does it mean if I have to shoot indoor, using a strobe, I have to use HSS?

[@requirementswizard]

@@slowlyrusting4044 Thanks for chiming in. A follow-up question, So does it mean if I have to shoot indoor, using a strobe, I have to use HSS?

[@judithbrowning5376]

How can you use 1/2000 with a flash? My camera only allows 180.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Judith it's called HSS flash or FP flash (different name, same thing) and removes the usual flash sync shutter speed limit. The caveat is you need a camera, transmitter and flash that all have HSS tech built in but then it's just a matter of pressing one button on the transmitter and carry on (almost) as normal. Lot's more info in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4OpaKKZr51-a6c

[@MicahTischler]

On some cameras (such as Nikons) there's a lockout to prevent accidentally straying into HSS ranges if not intended. I would suggest consulting your manual for how to adjust that, assuming you have HSS-capable hardware.

[@DavidKfilmmaker]

People have filmed me several times trying to fold those pop outs.

[@jjkdc62]

Why use such a fast shutter speed for something like this? Especially since the camera is on a tripod.

[@GavinHoey]

With a wide aperture and bright lights in the room (for video work) my flash sync speed is not enough to get control of the ambient light. Hence HSS flash and the short shutter duration. This video goes into a bit more detail kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4OpaKKZr51-a6c

[@raywatson2036]

Why such a high shutter speed?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Ray. With a wide aperture and bright lights in the room (for video work) my flash sync speed is not enough to get control of the ambient light. Hence HSS flash and the short shutter duration. This video goes into a bit more detail kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4OpaKKZr51-a6c

[@rayman5704]

I watched this video with a camera without high-speed synchronization. 😢 I need to update my camera. 😮‍💨

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Ray. A camera update might be the answer but in the short term a 5 stop ND filter might be worth a look 😉

[@rayman5704]

@@GavinHoey Thank you very much! I completely forgot about ND filters

[@wilhelmsvideon9206]

Nice main light, but when nothing reflects light back, the shadow side is dead. Little reflecting on other side and the pic would be on a totally different level. But nice beginning.

[@Sportserjeff]

Scrap metal with character, does Sam believe that? Or just accept it! Lol

[@GavinHoey]

I think she'd disagree about it being scrap!

[@samhoey2420]

;)

[@jamessprague2164]

Gavin ….. is …. So ……. Patient Excellence …… Requires ….. Thoughtful Time Process SJ

[@michaborski7383]

I'm sorry but this is not great photography ;/