Create dynamic colourful portraits with just one light

I love keeping things simple, and for me, that often means shooting with just one light. Sure, I could set up multiple lights (and I often have), but as somebody who loves the simplicity and drama of traditional Rembrandt lighting, the ability to create beautiful portraits with less equipment is very alluring. This is particularly true as I’m often shooting on location and end up taking public transport a lot.

So, of course, I was excited to see Brandon Woelfel showing us a few different one-light setups in this video. He changes things up by using an RGB LED light (Aputure Storm 80 C) which is an easy way to get different looks.

Red spotlight

For the first of the one light set ups, Brandon placed the light high to create a spotlight effect with minimal shadows. He set the colour to a warm red hue, so that it cast a dramatic glow that complemented the model’s sparkly top. Brandon recommends experimenting with different angles to reduce unwanted shadows and emphasize silhouette shapes for added depth.

Modifiers Used: Barn doors to narrow the beam and keep the focus on the subject.

Blue mylar reflections

The second set up incorporated a reflective Mylar sheet. Brandon adjusted the colour of the light to a bright blue hue, enhancing the reflective properties of the material. The model was encouraged to lie on her side and look away, creating an abstract, ethereal vibe. Wrinkling the Mylar added texture and created dynamic highlights.

Modifiers Used: Fresnel lens for increased brightness.

Warm yellow backlight

The final setup embraces warmth and simplicity. Brandon softened the light with a globe attachment head and positioned it behind the model for a glowing rim light effect. A soft yellow hue with reduced saturation gives the image a natural and dreamy look while moving the light slightly to the side creates a unique side-backlight effect. The outcome is a soft, luminous portrait that highlights the subject while maintaining an understated elegance.

The beauty of using continuous light is that you can see what you’re doing as you go, allowing for greater experimentation. You may end up creating vastly different effects that you never would have thought of before, and the ability to change colours at the push of a button will amp up your creativity to no end.

---