Light It Like Jeff: Duo Board Headshots | Ep 14
Jeff Carpenter is always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in photography, and in this episode of Light It Like Jeff, he turns the world of headshot photography on its head by using an unexpected tool: Duo Boards.
Typically reserved for food and product shoots, these versatile backdrops are getting a promotion to the big leagues of portrait photography. Jeff's weapon of choice? The XL Iced Concrete/Midnight Cement Duo Board. It's not your average headshot backdrop, but that's exactly why Jeff loves it.
Working in his Nashville studio, Jeff's shooting some bright, smiley headshots of his model, Marcy, for a local cosmetic dentist. His goal is to show off Marcy’s beautiful smile, but as always, he wants to do it with a bit of flair.
The Lighting Setup
Jeff sets up a three-light system to get the perfect lighting for Marcy's headshots. The main light is a Profoto B10 with a three-foot octabox, creating flattering butterfly lighting from above. For the fill, he uses another B10 paired with a 1x4 strip box angled up, which helps to soften the shadows under Marcy's nose and chin.
Finally, a five-foot octabox sits behind Marcy to act as a background light. Jeff could keep it simple with a crisp, pure white background, but he opts to get more creative.
The Duo Board Twist
Here's where Jeff's creativity really shines. Instead of settling for a plain white background, he clamps the concrete side of the Duo Board to the five-foot octa. Voila! Instant studio concrete wall, minus the heavy lifting and climate control issues.
This clever hack doesn't just look good; it works overtime. The setup creates a three-in-one lighting effect: a hair light from above and two strip lights on the sides, giving the subject that perfect separation from the background. It's like having three lights for the price of one!
Working Within the Space
Because the Duo Boards aren’t huge, Jeff has to keep things tight – Marcy is close to the backdrop, and Jeff zooms in to maintain that perfect crop. But for the type of headshots he’s shooting, this setup works beautifully. The textured background adds depth without overwhelming the shot, and the creative use of lighting ensures the focus stays on Marcy’s smile.
With this setup, Jeff not only shows off his creativity but also demonstrates how versatile photography tools can be when you’re willing to think outside the box. The final headshots speak for themselves, blending sharp, clean lighting with a textured, modern backdrop that really makes the images stand out.
Wanna Learn More?
Interested in learning more about lighting? Check out the complete "Light It Like Jeff" series.
Plus, we’ve got over 100 videos on our Behind the Scenes page with tips and tricks for photographers and videographers of all genres.
1 comment
The octa is way too high and leaving ugly shadows on her face
Jeff
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