Dramatic lighting setup for a model outside an ancient temple

Combined photo and lighting diagram for this beautiful scene

Here’s a new lighting setup from photographer Meggy Irawan. The strobes are used without any light modifiers. That creates a crisp and dramatic light in the scene. The temple is lit by the sun and parts of the background is slightly underexposed which makes the model more prominent.

Portrait lighting setup with a reflector and a strobe

The reflector gives a soft light and the strobe from the back adds som details.
Here's the lighting diagram for the photo above.

This is a perfect lighting setup for all you that don’t have so much equipment but still want to take professional photos. All you need is one strobe that you can fire remotely and a reflector. Indonesian photographer Meggy Irawan shows us how the it’s done.

Two models lighting setup

A dramatic low key lighting setup that goes well with the black dress. Click to see in full size.
Lighting diagram for that low key lighting setup

This is actually two photos that’s been combined in photoshop. There is a beauty dish from the front, and the room you see behind the window is lit by a strobe without a lighting modifier.

Photographer Meggy Irawan

Photographer Meggy Irawan having a cup of coffee
Here is an interview with the contributing photographer Meggy Irawan. Stay tuned for some of his lighting setups that will be published soon.
Lighting for photo: – Where are you from?
Meggy Irawan: – I come from Indonesia
Lighting for photo: – How old are you?
Meggy Irawan: –I’m 22 years old.
Lighting for photo: – What do you like best about being a professional photographer?
Meggy Irawan: – A profesional photographer its my dream, basically art its my taste and my passion. Photo like a diamond because with light photo shine bright like a diamond
Lighting for photo: – Do you prefer studio or location sessions?
Meggy Irawan: – I prefer using outdoor locations for sessions.
Lighting for photo: – What is your dream assignment?
Meggy Irawan: – Always give artistic photo for my consumen, my friends and my family
Lighting for photo: – Where do you find your inspiration?
Meggy Irawan: – In my smile room, and all unique place can give me inspiration
Lighting for photo: – What is the most common beginners misstakes when it comes to lighting?
Meggy Irawan: – Thought to make photos look like. Saw the light come from, put the object where, and what kind of camera settings
Lighting for photo: – What is always in your camera bag?
Meggy Irawan: – Nikon D700, D7000 , 28-85 nikkor lens, 135 f2,8 50 f1,8 . 2 SB 800, triger
Lighting for photo: – What is your favorite lighting setup?
Meggy Irawan: – I prefer lighting setups using strobist light with AAA batteries
Lighting for photo: – What is your worst photo experience?
Meggy Irawan: – The memory card in my camera crashed and I wasn’t able to rescue any of them on my computer.
Lighting for photo: – What are the characteristics of your photos ?

Meggy Irawan: – Using equipment that is very minimalist. and make photos more attractive with dramatic effect. I prefer the natural light in both models fashion photo, beauty and photo prewedding photos. Sense of color is my soul in the process images in Photoshop

See more of Meggys work at meggyirawan.com

Dramatic lighting

The hard light gives a dramatic look n feel
One light source is all that was used for this lighting setup.

Another great contribution from photographer Pedro Moreno.

The camera had a WB in Flash,  Canon 5D MK II, 24-70mm, Aperture F 5.6, shutter 1/125, ISO 400.  Main light Canon 580EXII with a grid. My assistant was up high and pointing down the speedlight on to my subject.

Lighting setup up for action style fashion photography

With a lighting like this, you can take your shades of and still look cool.
Elinchrome Quadra RX is great for lighting setups on location.

Pedro Moreno gives us the details for this setup.

– The camera had a WB in Flash,  Canon 5D MK II, 70-200mm, Aperture F 10, shutter 1/200, ISO 100 with.  Main light Elinchrom Quadra RX with a diffuser. I did trigger the light with an Skyport.

Fashion photography with one light source

One light source and a kick ass make up is all it takes to make fashion photos that are this awesome
Here's how the lighting is done. The make up might be trickier.

Photographer Pedro Moreno shares this lighting setup that only uses one light source.

Pedro: – The camera had a WB in Sun,  Canon 5D MK II, 100mm, Aperture 2.8, shutter 1/125, ISO 100 with. Main light Elinchrom Quadra RX with a Octave 1mt in silver and the sun was giving me a golden tone on the neck’s shadows. I triggered the light with an Skyport.