How do you create dramatic and flattering shadows in commercial portraits?

Shadows can make or break a commercial portrait. They can add depth, drama, and mood to your images, or they can ruin them with harsh lines, unwanted details, and unflattering shapes. How do you create dramatic and flattering shadows in commercial portraits? Here are some tips and techniques to help you master the art of lighting and shadowing.

1 Understand the types of shadows

Shadows are not all the same. They vary in quality, direction, and intensity depending on the light source, the distance, and the angle. There are two main types of shadows: hard and soft. Hard shadows have sharp edges and high contrast, while soft shadows have blurry edges and low contrast. Hard shadows can create a strong and dramatic effect, but they can also emphasize wrinkles, blemishes, and imperfections. Soft shadows can create a gentle and flattering effect, but they can also make the image look flat and dull.

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2 Choose the right light source

The type of light source you use will affect the quality of the shadows you create. Generally, the smaller and farther the light source, the harder the shadows. The larger and closer the light source, the softer the shadows. For example, a small flash or a spotlight will create hard shadows, while a large window or a softbox will create soft shadows. You can also modify the light source with diffusers, reflectors, or grids to change the quality of the shadows.

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Ryan W.

📷 Automotive Photographer - Specializing in Vehicles, People & Product photography for brands, firms and editorial.
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Picking between diffuse or specular light sources will determine the texture and softness of you subject. Also, study what happens to a diffuse light source (softbox) as you move if further away from the subject...it becomes more specular (directional). You can control light falloff and shadow edge by choosing the right light source and adjusting it's distance to the subject.

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3 Control the direction and angle of the light

The direction and angle of the light will affect the shape and position of the shadows on your subject. Generally, the more frontal the light, the less shadows. The more side or back the light, the more shadows. For example, a front light will create minimal shadows, while a side light will create half-face shadows, and a back light will create silhouette shadows. You can also adjust the angle of the light to create different effects. For example, a high angle light will create downward shadows, while a low angle light will create upward shadows.

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Ryan W.

📷 Automotive Photographer - Specializing in Vehicles, People & Product photography for brands, firms and editorial.
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If you're shooting portraits you should study the go-to lighting setups like loop lighting, butterfly, split, Rembrandt, and the other basics. You'll need to know when to use which for thin faced subjects, people with broader faces, those with blemishes/wrinkles and such. Appropriate lighting will serve you much better than on-lens filters or trying to save an image in post-production. For any subject, pay attention to your shadow detail as well. You may need a fill light, or fill card to bounce light back into the shadows so they don't become a black blob. Trying to pull details from underexposed shadows in retouching can lead to a lot of noise artifacts. Proper exposure is the key.

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4 Experiment with different lighting setups

There is no one right way to light a commercial portrait. Different lighting setups can create different moods and styles for your images. You can use one light, two lights, three lights, or more to create different shadow patterns and ratios. You can also use different lighting ratios to create different levels of contrast and drama. For example, a 1:1 ratio will create a balanced and even lighting, while a 4:1 ratio will create a more dramatic and directional lighting.

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5 Evaluate the results and make adjustments

The final step to create dramatic and flattering shadows in commercial portraits is to evaluate the results and make adjustments. You can use a light meter, a histogram, or your eyes to check the exposure, contrast, and detail of your images. You can also use a monitor, a tethered camera, or a test shot to preview the lighting and shadowing effects on your subject. You can then fine-tune your lighting setup, your camera settings, or your subject's pose to achieve the desired outcome.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Leslie Moak Murray

Award-Winning Humorist and Queen of France, Creator of Murray's Law
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No overhead lighting and no backlighting if you want it to flatter the subject. (Ignore if you want them to look like Bela Lugosi)

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How do you create dramatic and flattering shadows in commercial portraits?

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1 Understand the types of shadows

2 Choose the right light source

3 Control the direction and angle of the light

4 Experiment with different lighting setups

5 Evaluate the results and make adjustments

6 Here’s what else to consider

Commercial Photography

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