How to make at home bounce lighting for portraits

In a portrait setting, arranging your light source so that it reflects off of large surface and then on to your subject can help soften the light. This is called bounce lighting. Its a good way to diffuse light and reduce harsh shadows. Follow these steps to create bounce lighting in your own home studio.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Camera
• Light source (lamp or flash)
• Large reflective surface (nearby wall, ceiling, or white board)

1. Begin by setting up your portrait area in a relatively small space with a low ceiling or a very nearby wall.
2. If you are using a lamp for your light source turn it towards the ceiling or a blank nearby wall.
3. Next, angle the light so that it shines onto the wall or ceiling and then onto the subject you are going to photograph.
4. If you are also using a flash angle it toward the ceiling so that the light of the flash reflects downward.
5. You should notice that the lamp light shining onto your subject is a bit softer and more ambient. This will give a more natural look with the light. You're now ready to shoot.

Tips & Warnings

• When using also using a flash it is recommended to turn it toward the ceiling, if you angle it to the side toward a wall the light will come back from the side and illuminate the subject mostly on that side only.
• If you are not near a wall or ceiling you can place a large piece of white cardboard on a stand off to the side of your subject as shown in the title picture atop this article.