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Step 1
Set your subject where you would like him to be. Set the camera directly in front of your subject.
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Step 2
Set a key light on your subject. If your subject is a person, the key light should be at a 45 degree angle from that person and illuminate one side of his face. Generally speaking, the key light should be between 500 and 1000 watts. There are several different types of key lights. Soft key light is diffuse, whereas hard key light creates sharp shadows on the subject. High key light is bright, whereas low key light is dim and dark. Make sure that they type of key light you select is appropriate to the type of effect you wish to create. For example, soft key light is usually the best choice for glamour photography.
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Step 3
Set a fill light on your subject. The fill light should be dimmer and more diffuse than your key light. The general rule of thumb is to use a fill light which is half as bright as your key light. For example, if your key light is 1000 watts, your fill light should be 500 watts. You can place a diffuser on your fill light, or use a reflector board to create a diffuse fill light. If you're on a tight budget, you can use a piece of poster-board or a silver car shade as a reflector. Your fill light should be placed on the opposite side of your subject from the key light. So if your key light is illuminating the right side of your subject's face, the fill light should be on the left.
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Step 4
Set a back light on your subject. Typically the back light should be directly behind your subject and just a little higher than the camera. The goal is to create a halo of light around the subject's hair which will help to make him stand out against the background. The back light should be a dimmer light than your key light, and should also be placed at a lower angle. Take care, though, that they back light is not too low or it will show up on camera, spoiling your shot.
