When to use two light set-ups for outdoor portraits

There are lots of different ways to light a portrait, and it can be tempting to resort to using only natural light when shooting outdoors. While this approach can certainly produce beautiful images, it’s nice to change things up and experiment with other set-ups, both for variety and to inject some drama into your photographs.

Shooting outdoors with one artificial light and using the sunshine as a kicker light can be a good solution, but what about using two lights outdoors? Essentially then you can use the sun as a rim or kicker light in addition. In this video, portrait and headshot photographer Kyle Cong walks us through various setups using two artificial lights outdoors.

Understanding light

Before anything else, you need to fully understand the fundamentals of lighting and the function of each light in a multi-light set-up. It doesn’t matter whether those lights are strobes, speedlights or the sun, light is light, and it always does the same thing.

There are essentially three main functions of a light when shooting a portrait:

1. Key Light – The primary source that illuminates the subject.
2. Fill Light – Softens shadows created by the key light, balancing the overall exposure.
3. Kicker Light – A light placed behind or to the side of the subject to create separation from the background, often adding a rim of light around it.

In outdoor photography, the ambient light (such as the sun, sky reflections, or light bouncing off nearby surfaces) can serve any or all of these functions. Knowing how to blend natural and artificial light is key to achieving a balanced, well-lit portrait.

When to use one light

In certain conditions, you might only need one artificial light, as ambient light can fulfil multiple roles. For instance, if you’re shooting in bright conditions with the sun behind your subject, the sunlight can act as a kicker light, while the bright sky or reflections off nearby surfaces may provide enough fill light. In this case, you only need to add a key light to properly illuminate the subject’s face.

Adding a second light in this situation can make the image look unnatural and overly lit—creating a “flashy” appearance. Therefore, when ambient light is doing the heavy lifting, a single artificial light for the key light will be enough.

When to use two lights

Outdoor lighting conditions are not always perfect, and sometimes ambient light is too weak to light your subject properly. This is common when shooting during sunset. While the setting sun can serve as a kicker light, the sky may not provide enough fill light as it darkens.

In this case, you need a second artificial light to function as both a key light and to supplement the fill light. This two-light setup helps balance your subject against the background, allowing for proper exposure across the entire image without overexposing any elements.

Avoiding overexposure with a two-light setup

When balancing artificial light with natural light, it’s important to keep the proper exposure for both the subject and background. You could try slowing down the shutter speed to allow more ambient light in and fill the shadows on the subject’s face. However, this can lead to overexposing the background—especially in scenarios where reflective surfaces like water or glass are in play.

Using a second light for fill control helps solve this problem, allowing you to keep the background exposure intact while properly lighting your subject.

Gear recommendations for a two-light setup

Portability and ease of use are key for shooting on location. Here’s what Kyle recommends:

• Small Light Modifiers: Choose small light modifiers, such as a beauty dish or softbox no larger than 24 inches, to keep your setup light and flexible. Smaller modifiers are easier to transport and set up, making them ideal for solo photographers on location.
• Avoid Large Modifiers: While large softboxes or octa-banks can produce softer light, they are cumbersome in outdoor environments, especially when working alone. They can be difficult to manage in windy conditions and make it harder to move quickly between locations.
• Light Modifiers with Barn Doors: Barn doors are an often-overlooked but powerful tool for controlling light spill. Unlike grids, barn doors allow you to precisely direct your light onto the subject without spilling it onto unwanted areas like walls or the ground. This helps maintain a clean, professional look by keeping the light focused where it’s needed.

Two-light setups for outdoor portraits give you control over your lighting and help you adapt to various ambient light conditions. Understanding when and how to add a second light can make all the difference and by choosing the right gear, staying flexible, and controlling your light precisely, you’ll take your outdoor portraits to the next level in no time.

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