Studio Portrait Techniques with 3 Lights | Eli Infante (Video)

In one of his latest videos, portrait photographer Eli Infante breaks down his process for capturing stunning studio portraits using a Fox backdrop and three lights. Watch as he walks us through his lighting, studio portrait techniques, and camera settings step by step.

Step 1: Setting Camera Basics

Before introducing any lighting, Eli emphasizes the importance of controlling the ambient light. His goal is to eliminate any external light sources so that only his studio setup sculpts the subject. For clean and crisp images, he sets his ISO to 100 and uses an aperture of f/4 for a bit more depth of field. The key, though, is his shutter speed – he pushes it high to darken the background completely, ensuring no ambient light interferes with his lighting setup.

Step 2: Sculpting with the Key Light

Once the ambient light is killed, Eli brings in his first light, the key light, which is responsible for the main illumination of the model. For this setup, he uses the Explor 600 with a 21-inch beauty dish, placing it at a 45-degree angle to the model. Eli tweaks the power output to 1/128, adjusting the brightness to achieve the perfect exposure on his subject.

Step 3: Adding Separation with the Hair Light

To give his subject more definition, Eli introduces a hair light. He uses the Evolv 200 paired with a Glow EZ Lock deep parabolic softbox (28-inch) and a grid to concentrate the light. This light, set at 1/4 power, adds subtle separation between the model and the backdrop, giving the portrait more depth.

Step 4: Lighting the Background

With the subject perfectly lit, Eli shifts his focus to the backdrop. He uses a Flashpoint Speedlite equipped with a Rogue grid, pointed at a 45-degree angle to the background. The grid ensures the light doesn’t spill uncontrollably, allowing him to create a smooth gradient on the backdrop. For this shot, the Speedlite is set at half-power.

Final Adjustments and Enhancements

Once all three lights are in place, Eli fine-tunes the look with optional modifiers. He uses a V-Flat to bounce light back onto the model's face, adding a subtle fill to soften shadows. For additional refinement, Eli occasionally places a silver reflector under the chin to brighten any harsh shadows in that area.

Eli’s approach to lighting is all about control and experimentation, allowing him to create polished, dynamic portraits. Whether it's adjusting the power output or positioning his modifiers, his step-by-step studio portrait techniques ensure he sculpts the light exactly how he wants.

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