What is the best lighting for male models?
kcoria91 asked:
I’m planning on shooting some male models, which i have never done before.
I’m planning on shooting some male models, which i have never done before.
I mainly tend to deal with women/ beauty shoots and since I’m a guy i tend to notice that when i use paramount or butterfly lighting, it accentuates certain things guys dont care too much for, who would have thought huh lol.
Anyway i want to be able to compliment the bodies of my models yet create stunning lighting for the face. Are there any techniques/ setups that are used frequently? If so have any links or photos of this to show as an example?
More contrast is generally more masculine. [who] no g3in
One way is to use early morning natural light. [who] sant kabir
High angles work well for getting the body part right. Accentuates muscle tone especially in the torso by creating shadows for the abs and pecs. You may need to fill the face slightly if the light is too high, but a reflector can add enough just make sure you keep it so its not spilling onto the torso much. It needs to be relatively close and pointed up at 45 or 50 degrees.
Lighting a guy is to me, most effective when its pretty shadowy, so drop the fill light, keep the key light pretty far off to the side but far enough around the front to provide some light when doing a headshot. Shadows make for a little mystery, and accentuate cleft chins and square jaws. Its much more masculine than something more bright and evenly lit. This is also a good trick for women with a little broader faces, and not just broader meaning women who are a bit more “rubenesque” but those with a little more masculine faces than average, like who have squarer jaws. You can hide the jawbones giving the illusion that the face is thinner. It doesn’t always work either, but its worth a try. If you don’t have great symmetry in the model’s face, this is a good trick too male or female.
So high lighting angles, pronounced shadows. If you do have male models who are “prettier” so to speak, you can do a more Rembrandt type set up and get away with it. Its depends so much from person to person. Some of what works for women also works for men and vice versa, but like anything, there is no one best way to shoot all the models. There is always one best way for each model, and the models who have multiple best ways are usually on the covers of magazines. You’ll have to do some corrective posing for facial features just like you would with a woman. Best of Luck. [who] bbshady