How to create Soft Light In Small Spaces with Miguel Quiles

Tap to view in full-size

At Adorama TV, photographer Miguel Quiles presents his cool series of educational videos called “The Breakdown”. In this episode Miguel decided to implement a challenge in the working environment and shoot a session in a very small space, 8 feet by 6 feet in size. Although most studio spaces, including ours, provide stages much bigger than 6×8, if you ever find yourself in a “tight situation” like this one, you can still make great photos in a soft, window like ambient, light.

EQUIPMENT

Miguel uses Sony 6500 and and fast prime lens Sony 50mm 1.8. His trigger is “radio control wireless commander Sony FD-WRC-1M” and his receiver is “wireless radio control shoe mount flash Sony HVL – F60RM”. His light is Profoto 3′ Octa. All that can be easily ordered from Adorama website.

SETUP

In a small space the difficult part is to create a big source of light. Some soft boxes like PLM umbrella might take up half of the stage’s size which makes it practically useless. But do not worry, Miguel knows exactly how to handle theses situations. Using just a small 3′ octa, he points the light towards the white side of standard V-flat away from the model, so the light could bounce back on the model but now with much wider distribution. Thus, we imitate the big reflector and get that nice soft “ambient” light. It is also worth noting that the wall on camera’s right is also painted white and thus also serves as reflector and bounce as a fill light on model’s face, almost eliminating all shadows. The model for the shoot was Weronika Raczkowska Follow photographer Miguel Quiles on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK.   Watch full episode on Adorama TV: