How to Use a Hair Light in Portrait Photography

hair Lights: Creating a Beautiful and Subtle Effect

Hair lights are a great way to make your model stand out in portrait photography. Correctly positioning them and selecting the right source and power can avoid overpowering the hair or creating an unrealistic halo effect.

Placement of Hair Lights

Generally, hair lights should be placed behind a subject’s key light source for maximum impact. However, depending on your artistic requirements, you can also consider putting them on either side of the subject’s head.

Purpose of Hair Lights

hair lights are specialized lights designed to emphasize the hair of your subject. They are commonly used in studio photography to separate issues from dark backgrounds and make the hair appear glossy. Additionally, they help define the form and shape of the subject’s head.

Positioning and Angling

Hair lights should be placed behind the subject and on the opposite side of the critical light. They should be angled down to avoid hitting the camera lens and causing flare-ups. You can use either flash photography or continuous light sources for hair lights.

Intensity and Light Control

The intensity of the hair light depends on your artistic preferences and brief. In general, it should be less intense than the key light. When using hard lights with softboxes or other solutions, attaching honeycomb grids or barn doors to control the spread of light and prevent it from spilling onto backgrounds or lenses is essential.

Hair Light as a Highlight

Hair lights can be used to add highlight effects to your photos, whether subtle or dramatic. Finding the right power setting, which is less powerful than the main or fill light, is vital. A light meter can help you achieve the desired effect.

Enhancing Subject Separation

Hair lights are handy when photographing models with dark hair against a dark background. They help the subject stand out by creating a halo effect around their head. Hair lights can also highlight jewelry, clothing, and facial features. Placing the hair light behind the subject’s head and aiming it downwards is an excellent spot to achieve this effect.

Defining Edges with Rim Lighting

Hair lights are minor sources of illumination that help define the edges of subjects in portrait photography. They’re typically placed opposite the key light, providing subtle or more robust separation from the background. They may also be referred to as edge or contour lights.

Preventing Lens Flare

When using a hair light, it’s essential to mark or block it with cardboard to avoid unwanted light reaching the camera lens and creating lens flare. Fabric grids can also help control the spread of illumination.

Highlighting Texture and Realism

Hair lights should be placed as close to the subject’s head or directed downward from above. This positioning highlights the texture of the hair and creates a more realistic appearance.

Creating Dramatic Effects with Fill Light

Hair lights can help create dramatic effects by emphasizing the model’s hair. They are often used in flash or continuous light mode and should be positioned above the subject and directed downward. Adjustments should be made according to your artistic brief and the absorption of light by different hair colors.

Avoiding Overwhelm

It’s important not to overdo the hair lighting, as a too-bright setting can wash out individual strands of hair. This results in an indistinct mass instead of subtle highlights. Experiment with different light modifiers and accessories to find what works best for your shoot. Soft lighting sources, such as an umbrella or diffused softbox, are often the most effective.