What this setup creates
A video demonstrating a simple studio lighting setup using a single overhead octagonal softbox as the key light and two large foam boards as reflectors for fill, creating soft, even illumination for portraits.
Light placement
Key light: Directly above and slightly in front of the model, angled downward, feathered. Fill: Two white thermocol reflectors placed on either side of the model to bounce key light into shadows.
How to build it
The key light is a large octabox positioned high, directly above and slightly in front of the model, angled downward. The model is placed slightly behind the front edge of the octabox's light spread, allowing the light to feather across the body. Two white thermocol reflectors are placed on either side of the model to bounce the key light back into the shadows, preventing them from becoming too dark while retaining dimensionality. The setup aims for a polished fashion look with soft, broad light and natural shaping.
- Lighting style
- Feathered overhead key light with passive reflector fill for soft, even full-body illumination.
- Key light
- Top light
- Light quality
- Soft light, Diffused, Low contrast
- Shadows
- Clean shadows, Flat lighting, High-key
- Background
- Seamless backdrop, Ambient spill
- Colour
- Neutral
- Visual mood
- Commercial clean, Fashion-forward, Natural
Camera settings
Suggested starting point- Aperture
- f/9
- Shutter speed
- 1/160 sec
- ISO
- 100
- Focal length
- 50mm
- White balance
- 5500K
Lens is 24-105mm, inferred 50mm for general portraiture. White balance inferred for standard flash/daylight conditions.
