The Source Wholesale Colour Changing Clam Light

Product Information

For this reason, it’s important that you make sure that both catchlights are present in the shot. Make sure that your top and bottom light stay in front of your subject without going too high or low, because the farther you move them up (in the case of the top light) and down (in the case of the bottom light), the more you risk losing one (or both) of the catchlights. Note that both the key light and the second ( fill) light should now both be in front of you, the photographer–and your aim is generally to shoot the model from head-on, with a lens that pokes out from between the two light sources. Of course, you can ask the model to turn their head and strike different poses, but be careful to maintain the same shadow presence that you see from very straight clamshell lighting.

First, place your main light (the key light) above and in front of your subject. A 45-degree angle is popular, though you’re free to experiment with slightly adjusted lighting positions for different effects. Generally, the second (fill) light should be weaker than the main (key) light. The fill light certainly shouldn’t be stronger or closer than the key light, because this would produce grotesque shadows that come from beneath the subject, like you’d find in a horror movie. You can play with different combinations of lighting strength, though to do this with a reflector you’ll want to move it closer and farther away from the subject’s face. Adding a Third LightAlso note that, while clamshell lighting does offer a lot of flexibility in terms of positioning shadows, it’s generally not very slimming; most of the shadows under the subject’s chin are pushed away by the bottom clamshell light, so a better alternative (when the goal is to slim down the subject’s face) is to go with butterfly lighting. Clamshell Lighting: A Step-By-Step Guide If you’re familiar with different types of photography lighting, then you’ve probably come across another, very similar lighting setup:

Note that clamshell lighting doesn’t create much in the way of shadows, which means that it’s not an especially strong lighting pattern if you’re aiming to create drama. It’s a flattering type of light, but not a moody one. As I mentioned in an earlier section, clamshell lighting, when done properly results in a double catchlight. Please copy the voucher code, go to the basket and paste it into the voucher code box. To the Cyber Monday Sale Once you’ve created the “clamshell” setup, with your lights nicely positioned in the shape of a clam, you’ll want to fine tune the strength of the lights.

This item is sold and dispatched by a Range Plus Partner

You’ll want this light to be in front of you (i.e., the photographer), so that your camera is able to sit just below it for a straight or raised angle. Butterfly lighting involves placing a light just above the subject, pointing down at an angle just like clamshell lighting. And you can also use a second light or a reflector beneath the subject, pointing upward. Technically, you can use clamshell lighting in most portrait situations. It works well on most subjects, and will give you images that are bright and eye-catching. You can use clamshell lighting for family portraits, for corporate headshots, for fashion shots, and much, much more. In terms of light modifiers, unless you have a particularly harsh shot in mind, I’d suggest working with softboxes or beauty dishes. These will allow you to soften the light and create a more flattering result. Clamshell Lighting Basics