Dramatic portrait & headshot lighting in the studio

Working with the Profoto Spot Small (affiliate), I wanted to create portraits for my portfolio that showed a more dramatic light for portraits. I think these could even be used as secondary headshots in a portfolio. For this photo session, I had actor / model Andy Peeke (Instagram) in the studio. He has the cheekbones for this!

For other results from the Profoto Spot Small light modifier, also check out this article: Dramatic studio lighting with the Profoto Spot Small

In adapting the lighting setup during the course of this photo session, we achieved different results which still gave a coherent feel as a series of portraits.

The easiest way to work with the Profoto Spot Small (affiliate) – which is a small, hard light source, was to have my subject gently move from left to right. I also asked him to move his chin a little to this side, and then that side. I shot long sequences like this, because the way the light splashed on his face was affected by minute changes in how he held his head.

It was easier to work with the light this way — have my subject move his head gradually — rather than me trying to continually move my light.

The lighting setup here is fairly simple — there is the Profoto Spot Small (affiliate) directly in front, with a gridded Profoto 3-ft RFI Octa Softbox (B&H / Amazon) behind me for fill light. For some separation from the background, I used a single gridded Profoto RFi 1’×3 ’ softbox (B&H / Amazon) for rim-lighting.

Camera settings & photo gear used

f/5.6 @ 200 ISO @ 1/160

Nikon D5 (B&H / Amazon)
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL VR (B&H / Amazon)
Profoto Spot Small as main light
(3x) Profoto D1 500Ws studio flashes (B&H / Amazon)
gridded Profoto 3-ft RFI Octa Softbox (B&H / Amazon) for fill light
gridded Profoto RFi 1’×3 ’ softbox (B&H / Amazon), for rim-lighting

The Profoto Spot Small is an interesting light modifier, giving a concentrated circular spot of light. By sliding the lens element forward and back, you can change how hard the edge of the circle of light is. You can see the effect in this article – Dramatic studio lighting with the Profoto Spot Small.

For the images here, I kept it as a hard light source … and then added a gobo. The gobo was cut from Rosco matte black cinefoil (B&H / Amazon). This insert has clips on the other side that holds the cinefoil into place. With this, I created a rectangular shape of light.

For a more mysterious mood, I smithed off the fill light behind me. Now the Spot light flash is the main source of light. To enhance the feel, I added two rim lights from behind, each gelled with a turquoise gel.

I also added a Profoto A1 flash for Nikon (B&H / Amazon) as a very mild background light. I should have turned the power up on these to make a more noticeable difference. Hindsight.