Creativity with a single light - post your images!

[texxter]

I'd like to start a discussion and showcase of creative images done with a single light. It could be an assignment, if you don't have an image to share that follows the guidelines below.

• Images of people, one or more.
• Photographed with a single "added" light. Available light can be used as well, but portraits using available light only don't qualify.
• Reflectors, diffusers, etc, can be used and don't count as one light.
• The one light can be a portable speedlight, studio strobe, or tungsten. It could be a candle as well, if it was brought in for the purpose of lighting the subject and wan't there as "available."
• Get extra points if the light is used in a creative way, i.e., the light is the defining characteristic of the portrait.

Explain what you did. I'll start with this portrait below:



One light used: One bare SB800 portable flash behind the model and to camera left, acting as a hair light.

Available cloudy day light used as the key light for the portrait.

Creative aspect of the light - the flash was used to emulate a sunny day as the clouds had created flat, boring light. The flash not only served to create sunlight on her hair, but also the highlights on her left arm.

[ronocnikral]

while I don't have an image to offer at the moment, I just wanted to say I liked how you use the "artificial" light as a hair light opposed to lighting the face. It is something I probably wouldn't have done and I like the result!

[prncfarquad]

Well I would like to try this image again someday this is my only image I have tried to get creative with one light. Used one 580exII triggered by a pocket wizard.

I was trying to capture the sunset as well as my son hunting.

[dmcantrell]

Here's one I did a while back.



This is a single SB800 and a shoot-thru umbrella, to the left and in front of the baby pointing down at his head. This was shot on a black-velvet background.

[texxter]

Ron, thanks. It's a trick worth keeping in the bag.

Patrick, nice job blending flash and available sunlight - the results look natural!

[prncfarquad]

Thank you Paco

[Tom]

Art director wanted the pic to fade to black for text. This is SOOC.

One light up right.
Elinchrom Quadra with a 39" Rotalux Deep Throat Octa that I did a couple little mods to for this image.

[contributor_M]

Single Sunpak 120j through a shoot through umbrella camera camera left.


_MG_2923_0262 by

[groovyone]

I thought I had a good one to share, but then I saw a second catchlight in the eye.

[arich]

So y'all will have to be the judge of whether or not this qualifies. 2 bare 580EXs side-by-side providing a single light source. Needed the extra power to darken the scene as much as I wanted since this was in the middle of the day. This was actually a lighting test for an advertising piece for my university.

[texxter]

Originally Posted by arich

So y'all will have to be the judge of whether or not this qualifies. 2 bare 580EXs side-by-side so providing a single light source.

This qualified as a single light in my book. Thanks for sharing, nice effect!

[groovyone]

Very cool, Andrew. I agree, you made it a single light source.

[texkam]

Here's the shot .... and here's the set up. (Single halogen shop light against a white card.) I just think the simplicity of it brings out the innocence. I particularly love her eyes.

[texxter]

Mark, that's creative use of a Home Depot wok light. Great portrait!

[tomdrink]

Here's a low-key of my grand daughter. One speedlight (SB-600), to the side, shoot-thru umbrella.
TomD