What this setup creates
A video tutorial demonstrating a two-light setup using a large octabox with a grid as the key light and a large oval reflector as fill for an athletic male model. The setup creates soft but defined shadows, emphasizing muscularity against a seamless white/grey background. Camera settings are explicitly shown.
Light placement
Key light is a large octabox with a grid positioned camera-left at 45 degrees to the subject. Fill light is a large oval reflector positioned camera-right at 45 degrees to the subject, creating a clamshell lighting effect.
How to build it
A large octabox with a grid is used as the key light, positioned at 45 degrees to the left of the subject. A large oval reflector acts as the fill light, positioned at 45 degrees to the right of the subject to create a clamshell effect. The background is a seamless white/light gray paper or cyclorama.
- Lighting style
- Two-light clamshell setup with a large octabox as key and a reflector as fill, emphasizing subject contour and creating a flattering, powerful look.
- Key light
- Clamshell
- Light quality
- Soft light, Low contrast
- Shadows
- Clean shadows, Moody
- Background
- Seamless backdrop, Gradient background
- Colour
- Neutral
- Visual mood
- Energetic, Commercial clean, Dramatic, Natural
Camera settings
From the tutorial- Aperture
- f/9
- Shutter speed
- 1/160s
- ISO
- 100
- Focal length
- 24-105mm
Lens is 24-105mm f/4. Camera is Canon R6 m2.
