Want that soft, glowing light that flatters your subject every time? In this behind-the-scenes clip from his “Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It. Lightroom Edition” course, Scott Kelby walks you through an essential lighting technique: feathering the light. You’ll see how simply turning your softbox a few inches can transform your portrait — giving you smooth, even light and natural shadows that need only a light touch in Lightroom afterward.
When you want beautiful, soft light on your subject — the kind that makes your portrait look great even before you touch it in Lightroom — it all comes down to how you aim your softbox. Most people instinctively point it directly at their subject. But if you want the softest, most flattering light possible, you actually want to aim it past them.
Here’s how we did it on set: I had my assistant, Dobson, bring the large softbox right up beside Sarah. Not in front, not at an angle, but directly to her side — close enough to almost brush her shoulder. Then we turned the softbox just enough so its light was skimming across her, not blasting straight at her. That’s called feathering the light.
The center of a softbox — the “hot spot” — is the brightest, hardest part of the light. By aiming that center forward, you let only the softer edge of the light hit your subject. Combine that with placing it really close, and boom — instant, creamy soft light.
We had Sarah turn slightly toward the light (to avoid split lighting) and added a touch of breeze for hair movement. The result: gentle shadows, smooth highlights, and a beautifully soft look that flatters any portrait.
So next time you’re shooting portraits, resist the urge to aim your light right at your subject. Feather it — and watch your images go from good to gorgeous.
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