Lighting Diagram Creator

In my last post, Brittany's Portrait How To,  I included a lighting diagram that visually allows you to see the lighting set up I used. You might have asked, "Rich, how did you create that"? Well, I did it with the Lighting Diagram Creator.

The lighting Diagram Creator is a free application designed by Quoc Huy Nguyen Dinh that you can download or use on-line in your browser to create fantastic diagrams. Check it out.

Brittany's Portrait How To

I thought I would share the set up I used for this portrait I made of Brittany.


The location is a field on the beautiful Shining Mountain Herb Farm in Ridgway Colorado where Brittany has grown up.

There are three light sources. First is the soft overcast light of the sun diffused by a heavy cloud cover, the ambient light. I underexposed the ambient by 1 stop to darken the sky a bit adding a bit of drama. It also now serves as the fill light on Brittany.

Next, with the assistance of a voice activated light stand (Sheila, Brittany's mother), I placed a SB800 strobe with a shoot through umbrella camera right at 45 degrees to Brittany serving as the key light. I adjusted it to 1/4 power giving me a proper exposure on her face.

The third light source is a second SB800 strobe snooted to confine it to a narrow beam at camera left and above Brittany's head. This light provides a highlight on her hair and helps give separation defining her from the background scene. See the diagram below.