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Dramatic lighting may seem a difficult concept. However, with a few lighting tools you can make the magic happen. Preferring this style of lighting for my actors headshots, dramatic lighting can make your photography jump off the page.

Actor James Purefoy is a remarkable stage and screen presence. From jousting Heath Ledger in 2001’s A Knight’s Tale to manipulating a cult of serial killers in Fox’s The Following, James has appeared in a wider range of film, television and theatre productions more than the lion’s share of his contemporaries. I was thrilled James accepted my invitation to sit for a portrait at the London Studio.

Lighting wise to achieve these shots you will need a soft box, preferably Octa with a grid mounted. A grid is honeycomb modifier that you place directly over the Octa Softbox. The pattern restricts the light, creating a narrower beam. Resulting in hard and harsh lighting which brings out all the detail of the face. Your second modifier the snoot is a collapsible cylinder, think of a snoot as a spotlight effect.

Position the snoot behind the subject around 240 degree angle, diagonally pointing at the back of your subjects head. Then place the soft box, grid mounted at the opposite angle roughly 60 degree’s. Meter the main light your soft box to F7.1, with the snoot metered on the fly, meaning if its too bright turn it down, or too dark turn it up. This will separate your subject from the black backdrop and create a subtle highlight.

My favourite subjects have always been actors, trained to take complex direction and work to camera. I encourage you too attempt your own actors headshot session with this lighting setup. Seeking out a subject using casting websites, such as Star Now, Backstage or even Facebook.

Recommended Equipment

Lastolite by Manfrotto EzyFrame Vintage Background 2x2.3m Olive [ Ссылка ]
Lastolite Octa Medium Ezybox Pro for Studio Flash - Black [ Ссылка ]
Bowens XMT500 Flash Head [ Ссылка ]
Bowens Snoot [ Ссылка ]
Sitting Stool [ Ссылка ]
Lastolite By Manfrotto Halo Compact Reflector 82cm [ Ссылка ]

Online Photography Workshop [ Ссылка ]
Recommended Books [ Ссылка ]
Recommended Equipment [ Ссылка ]
Instagram [ Ссылка ]
Facebook [ Ссылка ]

Rory's Books
Portraitist: Portraits and Photography Techniques [ Ссылка ]
Soldiery British Army Portraits [ Ссылка ]
Portraits 2014-19 [ Ссылка ]
Soldati della Repubblica: Ritratti dell'esercito italiano [ Ссылка ]

About Rory

Winner of the Portrait of Britain in 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020. Lewis is a dedicated portrait photographer who has spent over a decade capturing many of the world’s most recognised faces. Sitters have included the likes of William Shatner, David Cameron, Sir Derek Jacobi, Iain Glen and Natalie Dormer. Rory’s images have been exhibited on both sides of the Atlantic, and several of his iconic portraits have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London. His recent project, ‘Soldiery’, which documented the British Army of the 21st Century, was completed over a two year period and has been hailed as a national success story, named by the BBC as ‘The changing face of the British Army’. Rory divides his time between London and Los Angeles, working with a wide variety of clients. In addition to his projects and private portraits, his photography has been commissioned by Pepsi, Universal, the British Army, The Times, The Guardian and Cancer Research UK, among others. Rory draws immense inspiration from the masters of art including Hans Holbein the Younger, Titian, Caravaggio and Jusepe de Ribera.

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