So, the question someone might ask, is what lighting technique is the best approach?  Well, that is a hard question, because each subject is different and as an artist, your likes and dislikes are different than mine or for that matter, anyone else.  So how you approach a subject is as much a personal preference as what music you like to listen to.  Go with what feels right to you, and experiment.  Remember, you are creating a mood.  Build the drama. 

With beauty lighting, I try and get my light sources as large as possible.  One of the things I emphasize over and over is, the larger your light source is in relationship to your subject the softer the light.  So for beauty lighting I generally get the modifiers as close to my subjects as possible. 

Video on Lighting: Take the mystery out of lighting

Go behind the scenes as I explain my lighting techniques on my latest video on lighting.  I explain the process on how I shoot my beauty/fashion subjects as well as my Edgy Three Light Gritty look and my Rembrandt Triangle cross light approach. 

Same model, same day, three different lighting approaches.

Very soft beauty lighting approach using two 86 inch umbrellas from the sides and one over head beauty dish from the front.

There is no substitute for a model that has great skin.  But having said that, there is the wonders of retouching in Photoshop.  Check out my tutorial on retouching skin.

IMPORTANT TIP!

Sculpting with light

Two medium banks from the sides, one overhead beauty dish.

One 60 inch umbrella over head.

One medium bank cross light with one small bank edge light.

Three 60 inch umbrellas overhead

One ring light with 30 inch moon unit.