Feathering Light: The Secret to Perfect Portraits Revealed!

Curious about the best way to light your portraits? In this video, I dive deep into the technique of feathering your light. Feathering can control light spread and enhance texture and dimensionality, making your photos look stunning and professional. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, understanding how to feather your light can transform your work.

I will walk you through a side-by-side comparison between feathered and direct light, highlighting the differences in background darkness and contrast, and demonstrating why feathering often results in more visually appealing photos.

Next, we debunk a common myth that feathered light is always softer light. Many photographers, including myself at one time, believed that feathering your light source would soften it. However, through a series of practical tests and comparisons, we explore how feathering can create a harder light with more defined shadows. By examining the nuances of light spread and the perceived size of the light source relative to the subject, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to manipulate light to achieve your desired effect.

To round out the tutorial, I share my insights on the best practices for placing your light. I introduce a concept I call “being in the L,” which guides you on positioning your light for optimal results. Understanding the principles of feathering will help you create beautifully lit portraits with enhanced three-dimensionality. Additionally, I discuss the importance of selecting the right light modifier to ensure the best results when feathering your light.

🎥 In This Video:

• Quick comparison between feathered and direct light
• Dispelling the myth that feathered light is softer
• The secret to placing your light which I call being in the L

✨Key Takeaways:
• Feathering enhances texture and dimension by controlling light spread.
• Feathered light creates darker backgrounds and more contrast compared to direct light.
• Feathering can result in harder light and more defined shadows.
• The “being in the L” technique helps with optimal light placement.
• Choose the right light modifier to achieve the best results in portrait photography.

📸 Gear Mentioned in This Video:

Studio Titan Camera Stand STA-01-360 MK2

ELINCHROM

Elinchrom FIVE

Elinchrom Litemotiv 120cm Parabolic Softbox

Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Strip Softbox (13 x 69”)

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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - Feathering Test
02:41 - Improve your photography
03:52 - Is feathered light softer?
05:55 - Being in the L
06:58 - Shooting with feathered light
07:14 - Shooting with direct light
07:46 - Feathering from the right
08:16 - Conclusion

[QuantzPhoto]

So much good information in this video! Thanks John!

[StoicJason]

Saw the building shot with the train and said “Hey I’ve been there!”

Another great video, John.

[carolinamaristad]

You are my favorite photographer and mentor❤❤❤❤

[jay]

I like how you take the crops in a shot. The green velvet chair example. The light brings it to life but it's not distracting. And of course your color palette with the texture is always amazing.

[silvinaslatopolsky]

love your tutorials. Great educator. Thanks

[stewsview]

Since I control my studio light so much I always use a softbox with a grid so I am using the light directly on to the subject. I honestly never tried non grid single key light softbox before. I think I might have to try it out to sculpt the body in a different way than I normally do. Love your videos. Love your information. Totally love your studio. lol

[ringoffireguy]

This was very helpful. Thank you. Even though I already know about feathering light, I continually fall back into my same bad habits and put it directly on my model. This reinforces the fact that I need to get out of my bad habits and think more creatively.

[codythep]

Dude, screw the feathering, your YouTube setup is incredible!

Would even love a video on this

[ssipzmj]

Great information! I'm going to enjoy practicing this technique. Thank you John!

[mpnrxm]

Thank you for explaining this in detail....The "L". I have seen many others talk about it but never actually walk us through it.

[roninth]

Thanks John. very informative. The images were exquisite.

[melvinwaldon]

First time watching. Love this video. Great explanation and well done. ❤❤❤❤📸📸📸📸

[theJoeyDutch]

From practicing it myself, feathering is supposed to also show "an evenness in the light spread" on any subject.

[jackhowdeshell]

Great refresher to your in-person workshop, the "L". Thank you.

[Maz-]

Informative video and liked the L explanation too. Thank you.

[haseoxdualblades]

Awesome work. Thank you for the detailed information. What is your set designed of? Would love to try a set like this.

[leedodge]

Many, many years ago a teacher showed us how to feather
lights (with 10" tungsten reflectors). Use the falloff to your
advantage, not disadvantage.

[femifestusojo]

This is so insightful John. Thank you!

Is that a one light set-up right?

[Elassyahmed]

For me, feathering is to primarily avoid having a hot spot from the modifier as pointing it away means the hot spot will hit a point camera left in case of your first shot.

What is also at play here is the inverse square law, because of how close the modifier is to the subject (still referring to the first comparison shot), the feathered position causes a quick drop of intensity from her right to left shoulder, and the position of the softbox can not 'see' the left side (camera right) of her face, hence the increase in contrast of the two factors combined.

[eimclark]

Excellent John yet again. Sometimes when I have been feathering the light I can see the physical edge of where the light is hitting my background and this produces a somewhat obvious divide on the background rather than a smooth gradation.
It's sometimes hard to make that divide go away when posing the model in the set. Are there key angles or position/distance guides like your "L" I could fall on to solve this when it happens? Thanks