Lisa Verhoeven
Model: Lisa Verhoeven | Canon 5Ds / EF 135mm f/2 L USM | 1/125 - f/5.6 - ISO 100
This time the lighting was kept very simple. The main light came directly from above Lisa. A relatively small softbox, approximately two feet square, was mounted on an overhead bar above the model. Because the light was positioned directly above her, it created a very different effect from a more conventional light placed in front or to the side.
The position of the softbox creates distinctive shadows on the lower part of Lisa's face. At first, lighting from directly above might seem like an unusual choice, because it can easily create shadows in places where you normally want more light. In this photograph, however, those shadows are part of the image and do not become distracting.
The same applies to the area below her legs. Because the light comes from above, the lower parts of the photograph receive less illumination. This creates a gradual transition from the lighter areas around Lisa's face to the darker areas further down in the image. The result is a photograph in which the lighting itself helps to determine where the viewer's attention goes.
Using a relatively small softbox also gives the light a more concentrated character. There is less light spreading across the entire scene, which makes it easier to control the shadows and keep the photograph simple.
One of the advantages of a setup like this is that it does not require a large number of lights or complicated equipment. With just one light source placed in the right position, you can already create a distinctive atmosphere. The important thing is not necessarily how many lights you use, but where you place them and what effect they have on the subject.
For this photograph, the overhead position of the softbox was enough to create the desired effect. The shadows are clearly visible, but they do not take attention away from Lisa. Instead, they become an important part of the photograph and help give the portrait its character.
It is another example of how a simple lighting setup can produce an interesting result when the position and direction of the light are chosen carefully.
