Headshot photography lighting tips and tricks using the Profoto B10

[@rickjbradbury]

1-3 lights myself. Corporate work I use one and a reflector or add lights if they want a white background which is done either by placing a large softbox behind them or by using 2 lights on a white seamless roll.

[@kennypringle4580]

Very good explanation of lighting and with the use of a light meter.

[@nelsono4315]

love it, Sal!

[@PhotogenicProperties]

Most excellent content y’all! Well done. Very nice presentation.

[@JoseContreras-ok1yz]

A great teacher, thanks for this video!

[@IsaacNYC212]

Hi Sal, I came across your page while researching Profoto lights. You've just earned an instant subscriber! Love how you explain the process.

[@SalCincotta1]

Isaac ty sir!!!

[@user-hk2vp5lf6m]

On 1min.30sec video i subscribed on you and set bells on. First video i see on this Chanel! Thank you sir!

[@markguerin6071]

Thank you for sharing this! I am just beginning and this was a wonderful tutorial to see the steps in the process. Have a great day! Just have one light at the moment, btw.

[@Vidlife6382]

Excellent Sal. Thank you.

[@BestAudiovisualTricks]

Excellent tutorial Sal! I typically use a 36 inch beauty dish close the camera slightly right and two narrow softboxes on each side behind the subject. And sometimes I add a fourth strobe behind the subject to light the background. I use Paul C. Buff strobes but I wish I could use these amazing Profoto strobes. I love your teaching Sal! 🏆

[@sjmphotonyc]

What a wonderful video. Thanks Sal.

[@zsaneephotography]

Yesssss yesssss. Loving This. Doing this for my client today. Clam Shell ❤️

[@brad_in_yyc]

1 with a reflector (Clamshell style) to 3 lights. Depending on my client's needs.

[@JamesCaprioPhotography]

I watch your videos almost every day and learn so much. I started doing head shots and this is the first time they are coming out of camera almost perfect. YOU ARE "THE SHIT"!

[@SalCincotta1]

ty my man!! you are too kind!!

[@willchitty2111]

that is brilliant sal. thanks!

[@MT-xw1id]

Instructional video / Inspirational. Thanks!

[@lindaallen594]

Great video! Love your teaching style and just subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@gavinhu1]

Awesome video, especially for beginners. Please keep it up. It's not too complicated.

[@cnicholls1988]

Brilliant video, i learnt a lot. Time to save for a second light.

[@josephchan4198]

One speedlight. Awesome picture of your wife. I see why the Canon Mirrorless is popular. I check your channel more often.

[@stevevansak7324]

Just used two today - B10 45 degrees to the side, reflector on opposite side, A1 filling a Lastolite Hilite backdrop for the classic white background.

[@barkyvonschnauzer2188]

Sal, I love you & this explanation. So simple and EZ to follow. I would love to see how this would work outside in natural light using strobes. I just can’t get it right with the balance. Thank you 😘 two light, plus a reflector.

[@ArtChickTV]

Nicely explained Sal!

[@angelgerena4277]

I've used up to 4 lights sometimes 5 but found it's over kill when shooting on an artic white seamless background. I used 2 lights diffused with umbrellas to light the background to minimize shadows, another light to create some rim lighting and my main key light camera left @ 45 degrees with grid (AD600 Pro). And one more as fill which is my Godox V1C Flash with diffused dome. I'm still learning how to use lights and stuff but it can get cumbersome on an actual shoot. But for the most part, turned out pretty good.

[@vclmacmichael]

Fantastic, loved the build up, thank you

[@felipefelizardo9422]

Amazing stuff man. Put some light in my ideas. Thanks!

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Three... One as key and two for white background, or one as key, one as highlight on a grey backdrop and one as hair light.

[@romiemiller7876]

Three or four lights, usually four. It seems counter intuitive, but horizontal is better for head shots so they can be used with text, etc., depending on the need. I do shoot some in portrait mode.

[@BradyOshiro]

one light guy, LOL but i do have three lights B10, and (2) A10. THANK YOU for sharing.

[@brianasealy6257]

Wow absolutely great! 👍🏼 Such a nice straight to the point explanation! And omg I LOVE the “Season to taste” saying you should SO make shirts that say that (if you haven’t already) haha

[@SalCincotta1]

Briana Sealy ha. I like the idea for tees :)

[@brianasealy6257]

It would so catch on!!! :D

[@kunalraithatha]

Model helping you with a light setup, that's new. Impressive.

[@SalCincotta1]

is it? seeing as the model is my second shooter shouldnt be so surprised. :)

[@MoncoField]

@@SalCincotta1 i was wondering why she seemed so familiar with the light meter etc. Lol You never see a models do that. By the way Great content Sal. I first discovered you in the B&H depth of field events. I always love your presentations, you and Jerry Ghinios are the best

[@JamesCaprioPhotography]

Great tips, helps me out allot.

[@frankmiller2676]

I use three or four. Key light, hair light/rim, back ground light, and fill as needed

[@Nicosalgadophotography]

3 lights sal ofcourse 😀😀😀

[@neumlephotodude]

Hi Sal, thanks for the video! Quick question: What is your strategy to combat specular highlights on the face? What plays a bigger role? Makeup/ skin preparation oder lighting technique?

[@SalCincotta1]

This is an awesome question. Make up is critical to this. We do not allow our makeup artists to use highlighter on the face and require them to use matte based products. This keeps the shine to near minimum.

[@f0t0b0y]

She looks more attractive in the natural light in the video.

[@rodneyturnerphoto]

Waiting to see hair and rim lights next.

[@SalCincotta1]

tomorrow!! part 2.

[@jlwilliams]

How many lights I currently use for headshots: 2 plus ambient. Interested to see what good more would do.

[@alanvandever9683]

I want to know how you get the client to help set up your lighting. :-) The lighting was a little flat for me but like you said, it's art which is subjective.

[@SalCincotta1]

Haha well you marry them and make them your wife. :) as for flat. True. But remember flat lighting looks good for skin. Will naturally hide bad skin. So lighting to your point becomes subjective based on the desired outcome.

[@thepro4436]

The model has beautiful hair. She could rock a bob with bangs. Not many women can pull that off. Oh . . . and liked how you expressed different lighting moods for different people's needs.

[@johnnycarroll9231]

Great video. As an exercise I followed along step by step with my gear. One question: Do you single or double diffuse the strip banks? Is double diffusing redundant? Thanks!

[@SalCincotta1]

no not redundant at all. the inner baffling will soften the light even more... so the more diffusion panels you add the more and more softer the light will become. for this one - i had the inner baffling .

[@hubert-williams3379]

I use 4 lights.. Novatron..... (3)softbox 2 small 1medium with a grid and 1 bare bulb.. had this set ou for over 20yrs.. I'm ready to step up.. I also have a boom for hair light.. What brand /system would you recommend.. I am set up up in a small space my basement, ceiling height is approx 7' ,.. I use a light meter .. Sekonic L-358

[@DerBerger69]

2-3 Lights

[@soheil5568]

Hi Sal, Awesome video! The fill light is showing 3.7. Would you please tell me the number on your main light?

[@SalCincotta1]

ty ty. glad you enjoyed it. my apologies... this video was over 2 years ago - i have no idea what that power setting on the light was. if i had to guess - i would say 4.7-5. normally there is a 1 stop difference for me on the main to the fill. hope that helps.

[@soheil5568]

@@SalCincotta1 I appreciate the prompt reply. A big fan of your work!

[@JamesCaprioPhotography]

can you put up a link for the backdrop you use?

[@easybullet3]

You're the Rick Beato of photography

[@gigi_soreal3132]

You're my new fav person in America..well next to Gov.Cuomo lol..thank you for this video..from me and my friends 💘

[@RAMENTOY]

Dear Sal, can I verify if all your 3 lights fire off at the same time for the last take or are they going off at split second intervals. Thanks

[@SalCincotta1]

yes - all at the same time

[@RAMENTOY]

@@SalCincotta1 thank you. Will be starting to take some product photos. Just setting up the equipment and following some of your tips. Though not portrait shots, but the same principles I surmise. I also like taking portraits, so that will be next.

[@RAMENTOY]

@@SalCincotta1 appreciate it. And if I may trouble you with 1 more question. Is there any scenario whereby the flashes need to come on one after the other?

[@SalCincotta1]

@@RAMENTOY i cant imagine a scenario... makes no sense to me.

[@RAMENTOY]

@@SalCincotta1 thank you for your valuable time. Your confirmation is all I need to know that all flashes must come on at the same time for every shot. Thank you Sir

[@danbrowning2418]

Hey Sal, I looked for the shorty lightstand in your comments but I don't see it.

[@SalCincotta1]

sorry about that - try this - amzn.to/2TbBheD

[@danbrowning2418]

@@SalCincotta1 Thank you.

[@NasimirCorneretto]

3

[@kellyalley4619]

I usually use three. A key light, normally an AD200 or my Flashpoint strobe, and a couple of speed lights for the fill and hairlight. Also I normally use the Eyelighter.

[@karanarora9437]

In the very first setup, how did you manage to take it without ANY shadow in the backdrop at all? Would love to know, struggling with shadows on background

[@JamesCaprioPhotography]

What would you say is the best lens for doing head shots, I have been using my 70 to 200 2.8 for most of mine.

[@SalCincotta1]

im a huge fan of the 85mm.

[@brad_in_yyc]

@@SalCincotta1 I love my Sigma 85 F1.4 Art. The 85 is amazing, IMO too.

[@CotugnophotoWoodinville]

3 lights

[@wanyonyileon3481]

two lights

[@smartshot3727]

4 lights

[@brucewilson9958]

5

[@gregorysargeant6305]

Great video, question if a person has long hair does it determine the length of the head shot or does a head shot stop at the persons clavicle bones.?

[@SalCincotta1]

thats a great question! for me... thats really tough... here is why. what a "head shot" is has changed so much over the years because what used to be a traditional vertical head shot is now all over the place right? people need images for linked in, fb, insta, their websites (horizontal is better) or their marketing material... we work with lawyers who use it for billboards... so if i crop in too tight at capture... i lose ability to be flexible with the shot in where they use it. so i tend to shoot wider - you can always crop in. make sense?

[@gregorysargeant6305]

@@SalCincotta1 absolutely, but if a client has hair down to their waist I get a little confused as to the crop when I'm shooting.

[@base212assm]

@@gregorysargeant6305 I'd stop worrying about definitions, and frame the image for the wants/needs. If your subject has waist length hair, you can still shoot in tight or get a waist up shot. That's your choice based on your desires or the a client's need. If your client is a hair model, of course you want all her long beautiful hair shown. If your client is a dermatologist, perhaps the tighter face crop for the billboard looks better. No one answer for all your shots.

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Base Less I feel your pain! If you take a look at this model and how long her hair is, it was a big dilemma in landscape orientation, however we found a compromise that both she and I really liked so maybe that’s worth considering? www.marcaitken.com/winter-is-coming www.theportraitprofessional.co.uk/new-page N.B model in question is about 3/4 of the way down the page.

[@jasonmedas603]

About 2 including reflector

[@Keith80027]

I use 4 to 6 depending on what I trying to do.

[@SalCincotta1]

its fun to see what you can do with light - the more the better i say

[@RylansAmazingPhotography]

Great tips Sal! If you get the chance I would love to get some feedback of a channel of your size on some suggestions for my channel! Thanks so much!

[@SalCincotta1]

i wish i could help brother... im just getting going myself... only really at this 3 weeks now. :) so im not sure im the guy for that topic. :)

[@Richie5480]

I wish I had a model that knew how to setup photography lighting. LOL 😆

[@SalCincotta1]

haha... makes life a lot easier thats for sure. :)

[@danbrowning2418]

I usually use 2-3.

[@SurberPhotography]

2-4 lights normally

[@SalCincotta1]

yeah wait til you see the 6 light set up.

[@SurberPhotography]

I'll be waiting!

[@robertgordonphotography]

Hey Sal. What about the light stand?

[@SalCincotta1]

its an avenger light stand... their mini.

[@richardgollar6300]

2 lights and usual some fill from a reflector

[@StaceyBrooklyn]

Sal, add a link for the light meter!

[@Manuelportraits]

I am currently using 1 strobe.

[@brianjones477]

two

[@johnnywestmoreland7667]

2 and a eye lighter

[@telgato711]

One

[@martindalpe.photography]

for simple head shot I use only 1 strobe

[@johanblixt1542]

2 to 4, due to the background.

[@donfeely]

Normally two

[@janicerucinski876]

Interesting that through all the tests of high and low light, flashes would fire. But when you shot the subject with both lights neither flashes fired and yet delivered a quality photo. Also at about 10:53 in was a beauty dish/constant light added as it appears there is extra lighting on her prior to you taking the shot?

[@SalCincotta1]

im not sure what you are referring to wth lights not firing. they all fired when they were supposed to? what is making you say that? i also have no idea what you are referring to at 10:53... no constant light was added. i feel like you are watching a different video than i am.

[@AdrianBacon]

I almost never shoot headshots with less than 5 lights. It can get up as high as 8 or 9 depending on what I'm looking to do.

[@delmarray1147]

Actually it 2 cause the magmod magring holds 2 ad200

[@jerryp5776]

Typically 2

[@lavaughnfields853]

I use 3 lights 2 strobes 1 spot for heads that's it.

[@AdamBielawski]

Unfortunately I only have 1

[@skibo362]

4 90% of the time

[@macariofilms7256]

Is Alissa using a backdrop clamp? Lol

[@SalCincotta1]

girl lost too much weight! :)

[@alissacincotta6228]

we have black ones that Sal could have let me use but nooooo :)

[@Connor_Dempsey]

SAL IS TERRIFIC

[@joelatanacio245]

3 lights

[@artandadventurerv]

3

[@SpotBentley]

4