Light It Like Jeff: Black & Blue Split Background Effect with V-Flats | EP 6

In his latest lighting tutorial, our favorite resident photographer Jeff Carpenter demonstrates how to create a striking split background portrait that combines deep black and vibrant blue tones. Working with model Emily in his studio, Jeff walks us through a creative lighting setup that produces dramatic results.

"We've got blue on one side, black on the other – it's going to be amazing," Jeff says with enthusiasm as he begins explaining the technique.

Creating the Split Background Lighting Effect

To create a balanced split background effect, Jeff uses a key light angled to divide the light across Emily’s face, keeping one side well-lit while the other falls into shadow. He notes, “Since we’re doing a split background portrait, I’ve got my key light as split light.” 

To soften the shadows without diminishing the effect, Jeff positions a V-Flat to bounce light back onto her face, ensuring her features remain visible without losing depth.

For the blue background, Jeff incorporates a five-foot octabox fitted with a blue gel. “That’s giving us pretty much blue saturation across the board,” he says, which creates a vibrant backdrop while adding a subtle blue hue to the shadowed side of her face. This cross-lighting effect adds dimensionality, making the setup look intentional and polished.

The Final Look

After capturing a few shots, Jeff unveils the results: a stunning image with blue on one side and black on the other, perfectly framing Emily.

Jeff highlights how the blue gel enriches the scene, complementing Emily’s gold outfit. “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to use the gel,” he notes, though he loves how it interacts with her attire.

This setup offers photographers a creative way to experiment with colors and contrast, resulting in a minimal yet striking portrait background effect.

Get Connected

Check out more of Jeff's personal work on Instagram at @readylightmedia.

Wanna Learn More?

Want more tips and tricks from Jeff? Check out the complete "Light It Like Jeff" series.

We’ve also got over 100 videos on our Behind the Scenes page with tips and tricks for photographers and videographers of all genres. Learn how to harness the power of light and more.