Kicker 101: Master Kicker & Rim Lighting: Dramatic Portraits with Edge Lights | Photography Tips
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- Part of making a refined image in the studio is separating your subject from the background. In today’s video, I break down the three secrets you need to know about using an edge light, or kicker, to enhance your portraits. You’ll learn why you need a kicker, where to place it for the best results, and how bright it needs to be for dramatic rim lighting effects.
Understanding how to use a kicker or edge light properly can elevate your portrait photography and give your images the separation and three-dimensionality they need. Watch as I demonstrate the entire process, discuss light placement and intensity, and show you how to avoid common mistakes.
If you’re looking to refine your lighting setups for studio portraiture, this video will provide practical tips and solutions.
NOTE: Many people often confuse edge lighting or kicker lighting with rim lighting, but in reality, rim light is a specific type of lighting placed directly behind the subject to create a glowing outline, while edge lights or kickers are positioned more to the side to add separation without being directly behind.
Check out my lighting handbooks:
johngress.com/...
Model: / paulo_gbazo
Equipment used:
Lighting
Nanlite FS-300 AC LED Monolight amzn.to/3cUGqlC
Nanlite Para 90 Quick-Open Softbox with Bowens Mount (35in) bit.ly/3wwH0xs
Nanlite Fabric Grid for Para 90 Softbox (35in) amzn.to/2OosHd8
Nanlite Asymmetrical Stripbank Softbox with Bowens Mount (18x43in) amzn.to/31SIuUW
Nanlite Fabric Grid for Asymmetrical Stripbank Softbox (18x43in) bit.ly/31OYur1
Camera
Canon EOS R5 camera amzn.to/3vPGmeb
Canon RF85/1.2 L USM amzn.to/3oJQ9hF
Studio Titan Camera Stand STA-01-360 MK2 bhpho.to/3cf4RfL
Music: Evolution by Bensound bensound.com/
#RimLight #EdgeLighting #StudioLighting
A reminder of how much experience makes things look so easy! I am impressed with how good these realatively simple lighting setups work. The photos look amazing.
Thanks Bob! A little can go a long way.
cheers John. What a great way to take studio portraits to the next level.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
You've gained a subscriber. Thank you for the informative video. One question, please:
In this very exact set up that you have with Paulo, how does one incorporate a hair light?
Thank you so much! I would add a Hair Light the way I mention in this video
ua-cam.com/video/EfHmfC089q4/v-deo.html
Thanks for the video.
In particular I like your teaching style and the way you make things look so simple and clear.
📸📸
Thanks Michael! That is very kind of you to say.
I do this using a light meter in one hand and the nanlite RC-1 remote in the other. The FS lights brightness percentages being linear (i think?) means that if you get a certain stop, say f4, at one percentage on the remote, doubling that percentage gets you the next stop, f5.6 in the case of my example. So f4 at 12% means f5.6 at 25%, f8 at 50%, f11 at 100%. The remote has its drawbacks but it still better than fiddling with an app!
Maybe I should get that one because I just asked for the one th at lets you use all the lights with the app.
Great video! I always enjoy watching your channel, and I know that what you’re presenting will come in handy as I progress!
That’s great hear Luis. Thank you!
Great content, thank you! Going to purchase your lighting handbooks...why do you not insert s direct link in the description?
Great! They are on sale and today is the last day. johngress.com/lightinghandbooks/
Thank you!
You're welcome!
thanks for this John, well explained/demonstrated as usual ! With your kicker at 20-30 degree and effectively pointing in the direction of the lens do you recommend using a v flat or similar to flag some of the kicker light reaching the lens?
Thank you! It hasn't been a problem, but perhaps it could be if the light is too bright or if I was using an older lens or a cheap filter.
I asked that on Instagram. I just came over to watch the full video
Thanks you so much Sir. I never really get that why my nose always has a side light whenever i'm using a kicker light.
Thank you. I hope it helps.
Hi John. Hope all is going well for you. That pain from across the pond again 😂. Great upload and always informative. Would you use a third light (much lower power) hidden behind the subject to add more separation from the background? Something like a fresnel or reflector and grid? Take care friend.
Thanks mate! My third light would be a boomed hair light that would probably be three stops down as well.
Great Video Please, can 7 inch bowen reflector with 60 degree grid act as kicker light? Thanks
Thanks! Yes it can but with smaller modifiers the light will be more uneven from the bottom of their body to the top of their head.
Great video, you mentioned f5.6, then 2 stops darker being 2.8? Is it not f11?
Thanks! Changing the aperture on your camera allows in more or less light, but it doesn’t change the amount of light that exists in the first place. The meter readings would be 5.6 and 2.8. Meaning you would need to set your camera to those apertures to get a proper exposure so in a meter set of something is 2.8 and something is 5.6 the former is two stops darker.
Thanks, you’re right! I wasn’t thinking in ambient light! Great work you’re doing John!
Thanks! I hope that helped. *so if a meter says something is 2.8 and something is 5.6 the former is two stops darker.
Do you prefer only one rim light or two (left and right)?
It depends.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
You're welcome! Thanks!
You the best ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much!
What is the right ratio or how many stops difference of kicker light in terms of the main light?
1-3 stops darker than the main light.
@@JohnGress Thanks for answering
I actually like the one without the kicker more. I feel like everyone uses this setup and l like the simplicity of only one light source, natural light preferably. It comes down to personal preference in the end.
In that case you should check out my one light lighting handbook. johngress.com/lightinghandbooks/
hello sir, good day, do you have udemy class about your lighting study?
Good morning! I have my own online learning platform johngress.com/academy/
I didn't really get punched in the face by the difference between kicker/no kicker. I actually barely noticed it at all, after looking. But I think I know what's happening! I know I've taken a picture in front of a half black backdrop before, and I have black hair, and it was annoying that the two blended together and it was really difficult or impossible to see where one ended and the other began.
When I started out using lighting 20 years ago we made all the lights punch you in the face. Now its more subtle.
👍🏾🙏🏾
Thank you!
thought this was about kickboxing, disappointed lmao
Thank you!
You're welcome!