Setting Up Soft Light Shouldn’t Be Hard

 

 

You may not always have access to modifiers in different sizes, but you will pretty much always be able to control the distance between your subject and your light source. That’s the reason why I suggest to exercise using your modifier at various, defined distances and compare the results. By practicing this, you will be able to master light and consciously shoot photographs with the right lighting attitude.

 

Here’s your exercise: When you are setting up your light source then measure the distance between the light source and the point of contact. Start the exercise by placing the soft box quite far out, about 8 feet from the subject. The light will be quite hard, but you will know what that looks like. Then move the light 2 feet closer, and shoot again. Take some time to note the difference between the two images. When I did this exercise shooting a baby belly, which is a comparably big object, I did not notice much of a difference until the light was just 4 feet away. 

 

This is also the distance you typically start noticing that you are getting the sort of light you are looking for. At 2 feet away, the attitude of the light is markedly different and will suit a great deal many purposes.

 

Finally, move the light source 1 foot away from your subject. It will do no harm to your model and it will help you become more confident with incorporating light choices into your shoots. When all of this is done, you now have a set of images which will inform future lighting choices, and will help you find the perfect distance you need to get the shot you are looking for.