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Portrait photography light source size

Portrait photography lighting and portrait photography (with strobe or electronic flash equipment) are a constant topics of discussion on most of the professional photography forums that I frequent so I thought it might be helpful if I did a portrait lighting test to clear up some misinformation about size of light boxes and umbrellas.  In portrait photography, size does matter, especially the size of ones umbrella or light box.

Many portrait photographers, at the beginning of their career, are faced with the expensive and difficult task of purchasing strobe or electronic flash lighting equipment.  My hope is that this test and these samples will help to demonstrate the differences between all the different light sources, especially as it pertains to portrait photography, and therefore make it easier for novice portrait photographers to make the right choice when purchasing lighting equipment.

Portrait photography lighting test

What I did here was to create a controlled environment in my photography studio so that I could compare the various light sources that I have available for portrait photography.  To minimize the variables as much as possible, I kept the output of the light source the same by using a power pack that had power control that enabled my to just turn up and down the power as desired to maintain a consistent light ratio between the main light and the background light.  I actually shot every light source here with a fill light too, but decided not to include them because the extreme darkness of the shadow side of the face (without fill light) helped to show the differences in the light quality of the various sources better that the photos using a fill light.
portrait lighting #1

Norman 5" Reflector

The 5" reflector is the recommended reflector for using with umbrellas and most common reflector sold by Norman.  Small light sources like this cast a very crisp shadow that will show off every line and blemish on the subject's face.  Also notice how the light has bled onto the background.  This is neither good nor bad, just something to remember and use.
portrait lighting #2

Norman 10" Reflector

The 10 inch reflector is a little but larger of a light source, but still not all that large compared to light boxes or umbrellas.  See how the shadow from the nose appears to be a little shorter?  The subject or light hasn’t moved, but the slightly larger source is beginning to “wrap around” the subject. But all in all, not a huge difference.  Note too that the light hasn't contaminated the background quite as much.
portrait lighting #3

34 " Umbrella

The 34” umbrella has wrapped around the subject quite a but here.  The light hasn’t moved.  Because it’s larger, it’s able reach around the nose and give the appearance of  moving.
portrait lighting #4

The 44” umbrella

The 44” umbrella is even more effective than the 34” umbrella for filling in those nooks and crannies.  Notice that the size of the umbrella hasn’t affected the amount of light that has made its way to the background.  Both umbrellas has a tendency to bounce light all over the studio or room.  Personally, I don’t care for this characteristic of umbrellas.  I prefer to control the light as much as possible and add light specifically where I want it.
portrait lighting #5

38" shoot-through Umbrella

The shoot through umbrella has become very popular.  Personally, I don’t see the appeal.  It may give the appearance of being a larger light source, but I think that’s because people move it in a little closer than regular umbrellas.  Can you see much of a difference?  I can’t.  But I can see where flair might become an issue…
portrait lighting #6

Norman 10" Freznel

This light is my favorite "food photography" light, but tends to be little harsh for most portrait photography situations.  It is very controllable though.  I might work out really well for old men.  I’ll try it some day.
portrait lighting #7

Small round box 19"

One thing that Sandy is not good for, is showing the catch lights in the eyes.  If Sandy did have shinny eyes, you’d notice that round boxes give round highlights.
portrait lighting #8

Large round box 39"

This is probably my most-often used portrait light source.  It’s round, for the highlights and it’s somewhat controllable.  For me, it’s just about right.  Not too bib and not too small.
portrait lighting #9

Strip light horizontal 14" x 57"

Strip light are a very interesting breed.  I’ve been finding more and more uses for this light.  One thing it does do is create some really weird catch lights.  Sometimes that’s cool, sometimes it’s just a little weird.  And sometimes no one notices.  If you turn the light one way, you get a totally different effect than if you turn it the other.
portrait lighting #10

Strip light vertical 14" x 57"

Notice the way that the shadow from the eyelash stands out in the picture to the right and how the light never reaches the side of the nose in this shot.  Pretty cool, hey?
portrait lighting #11

Medium box 32"42

Another often use box of mine is the medium box.  It’s very similar to the large round box except for the shape of the catch lights.   The rectangular box also “packs” better than  the round box for location shoots, and that’s important.
portrait lighting #12

Large box 48" x 64"

When you think bigger might be better, this is the way to go.  You just can’t beat it!

Portrait photography lighting test - what I learned

In portrait photography, like most other types of photography, there is no right or wrong.  Portrait lighting equipment is just a tool a photographer uses to create a desired effect or photograph.  The problem is, for most novice photographers, they don’t really know what they’re going after.  All they want to do is have “nice lighting”, when they don’t really understand what makes lighting “nice”.  “Nice” portrait lighting is different, depending on the subject and the intended Mood or effect that the photographer is attempting to create.  Is it wrong to use a small light source in a particular situation?  Maybe… 

Here are the general rules of thumb when it comes for portrait photography lighting. 

1.     To create more texture, a smaller light source will give you that effect.  USSUALLY, lots of texture is not something people like in a family portrait.  Small light sources are great fro making old men look all wrinkled and old looking.  Some old men, or photo editors may really like that dramatic effect, usually mothers don’t.

2. Large light sources are better for hiding texture.  Mother like that.  A larger light tends to fill in all those cracks and lines around the face, making people look comparatively younger.  Many photographers think that the larger the light source, the better and safer for most family portrait applications.  And that’s probably true.  The problem is that safe is often quite boring, after a while.  Smaller light sources tend to be a bit more dramatic and tend to push en envelope a bit more.  Sometimes drama is great, sometimes it’s not.  But seldom is it boring.  Ugly maybe, but seldom boring. 

3. Light boxes enable you to keep the light from bouncing all around the room.  Umbrellas tend to add fill light to everything, whether you want it or not.

Side note: One of the more interesting things that I learned doing this test was just how different in color my different light sources are.  If you take a close look, you will see how some shots are a little blue and some are a little more yellow than the others.  This is caused mostly by the age of my light boxes.  Some of my light boxes are over twenty years old and have yellowed over the years.  Except for the color, they function just fine, so it’s a little hard to justify spending tons of money replacing them.  I end up just compensating for the color with the white balance of my camera.  The big trouble comes when I try to combine reflectors with the old boxes.  Then I do, I always have to add a little warming gel to matching the reflectors (and umbrellas) to the boxes. I usually shoot my white balance set at 5600K.  The normal setting from strobe is around 6000K.

What to remember about portrait lighting…

Lights are simply a portrait photographer’s tool, used for creating and fulfilling the photographer’s vision.  Should this shot be dramatic or not?  Will the subject (or client) want to look older or younger? 

Portrait Photography Test Control information 

Camera D2x with 80-210 shot as Lg. jpg.

White Balance – 5600K

Flash equipment – Norman

Source to Sandy distance – 46”

Camera to Sandy distance – 9’

Sandy to background distance – 7’

Background light – Norman w/ 5” reflector

Background light to background distance 2’

Every light source metered (pointed at light) from forehead at f22

Each light source was placed with the center of its “diffusion” surface at exactly 46” from Sandy and at a consistent height (71”).  In other words, the light stands were moved farther or closer to Sandy depending on the size of the umbrella or light box.

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