Mastering High-Key Portraits with Nathan Elson: A Three-Light Studio Setup

Elson's go-to gear for creating a pure white backdrop involves a medium umbrella to evenly light the background. Emphasizing the importance of proper exposure, he recommends overexposing the backdrop by 1 to 1.5 stops over the key light. This ensures a flawless white background without any unwanted gray tones.



To avoid harsh rim lights, Elson positions the umbrellas carefully, ensuring they illuminate the backdrop without directly hitting the model. The distance between the model and the backdrop plays a role in controlling highlights, with Elson preferring a range of 2 to 3 feet for subtle rim lights.



For the key light, Elson introduces a 47-inch deep OCTA with a parabolic arm, praising its ability to deliver a beautiful mix of soft and hard lighting. The indirect light bouncing off the modifier creates a unique and visually appealing look.

The first series of images showcases the classic high-key portraits that many photographers strive to achieve. Elson emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamentals of shooting on a white backdrop and achieving the perfect exposure for both the key light and background.



Moving beyond the conventional, Elson then demonstrates how to add mood and drama to high-key portraits. By altering the key light to a large umbrella with a diffusion panel, he softens the transition from highlights to shadows. Placing the key light to the side of the model creates more shadows, adding depth and intrigue to the images.


In the final set of images, Elson takes high-key portraits to a whole new level by using the backdrop as the key light. This innovative approach involves firing the medium umbrellas into the backdrop and using the wrapping light as the main source. A strategically placed large umbrella with a diffusion panel further enhances the portraits, filling in shadows and creating a perfect balance between darkness and light.