Good day, everyone! Your mate Aries Tao here, and welcome back to Godox Lighting 101. Last time, we delved into the various ways of setting up a one-light configuration on location with the AD300Pro. This week, our focus shifts to exploring different approaches for a two-light setup.

Backlight Situation

In this scenario, we are dealing with a typical backlight situation. Two light sources are at our disposal. The first is an umbrella, serving as a soft light source. I usually prefer using this umbrella as a fill light. It creates the effect of light bouncing off the floor and illuminating the subject's face, resulting in a noticeable improvement. 

The second light introduces a multitude of possibilities. Imagine it as the equivalent of a harsh sun, capable of giving the subject's face a radiant glow. This second light adds depth to her body and enables versatile positioning—whether from the side or back—for enhanced separation from the background.

While it's not necessary to employ two lights at all times, having two lights provides significant creative flexibility. 

Balance Harsh and Soft Lights

Consider the backdrop of senior metro imagery. While one light placed at around a 45-degree angle from the top can be effective, I find that this setup might cast some shadows. 

Even with the umbrella softening the shadows, introducing fill lights from the bottom to create clamshell lighting adds a more pleasing texture to the subject's skin. 

On the topic of harsh sunlight on the background, I opt to remove the umbrella from the top light. Instead, I adjust the top light to emulate harsh sunlight, resulting in well-defined shadows and pronounced highlights. 

This approach fosters consistency between the subject and the background.This brings us to the advantages of using two lights. It eliminates the need to choose between soft and harsh lighting, allowing you to create your own balance. 

Recreate a Sunset on a Hazy Day

Recreating a sunset on a hazy day involves using the umbrella to soften highlights and employing a Black Mist Filter for added softness. 

To combat shadows, a soft light is used to lift the shadowed side of the subject's face.

Create Sunlight on a Cloudy Day

Imagine a cloudy day with the sun obscured by clouds. In this situation, I take matters into my own hands by creating a patch of sun on the model's face using a barn door.  

This technique allows for the definition of highlights with the harsh light, followed by the soft light filling in shadows. 

Now, when faced with a sandstone wall and the sun hidden behind clouds, I use one of the harsh lights to emulate a patch of sunlight. 

This adds dimension to the model and a textured appearance. The second light, functioning as a fill light, contributes to a unique blend of soft and harsh lighting, showcasing my distinctive style.

To summarize, while a two-light setup requires more effort compared to a one-light arrangement, the benefits are substantial. You gain the flexibility to mix soft and harsh lighting, experiment with different lighting styles to complement the model, and choose between soft and harsh lights for a variety of effects. The decision is yours to make. I hope you found this episode enjoyable. Until next time, this is Aries Tao signing off!