The Double Profile
Jeff Lubin is a photographer who believes in the power of lighting and technical details to elevate his work. In his opinion, understanding the technical aspects of photography can make a photographer more confident and versatile.
One of the lighting patterns that Lubin loves but finds is not often taught is the double profile. This lighting technique is not only interesting but can also create a high-impact and subtle effect on portraits. The double profile lighting is perfect for portraits where the artist wants to grab the viewer’s attention to a specific aspect of the subject’s face.
To achieve this effect, Lubin uses four lights; a 60 inch umbrella for a fill, a 36-inch strip light for the hair, and two photogenic parabolics with white diffusers with 16-inch barn-doors. Lubin also uses a Phaseone Camera with an IQ180 Digital Back.
Lubin sets his camera to 125 at F8.5 and starts by lighting the overall scene using the 60inch umbrella for the fill light reading at F5.6. The hair light is set to F8, and the barn-doors on the parabolic lights are 80% closed so only a small strip of light is emanating from each unit. Lubin advises that photographers should not direct the parabolic lights directly at the subjects’ faces but, instead, toward the edge of the light.
Regarding posing, Lubin warns photographers to avoid distorting the subjects’ faces by having them turn too much into the camera or away from it. Lubin had his twin subjects tell each other something silly to get them to interact and forget about the camera.
In conclusion, to Lubin, the double profile lighting may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it because it creates a world of difference from flat frontal lighting. Lubin believes that photographers can separate themselves from the pack by adding creativity to their photography. By becoming artists in lighting and posing, photographers can capture more compelling images that can express the subjects’ personality and expression.
If you want to see more of Lubin’s work, visit his website at www.jefflubin.com.
In 2017, The Lubin Studio was commissioned to create seven paintings to adorn the United States Court of Appeals For The Armed Forces. Mr. Lubin's work will be on display throughout history.
Mr. Lubin's sensitive and unique style has won him many national and state awards. He earned the coveted Master of Photography Degree from the Professional Photographers of America in 1992, after only three years of competition. The following year, Jeff received the Craftsman Degree, also from the Professional Photographers of America. Jeff twice won the Grand Photographic Award from the Virginia Professional Photographers Association, highlighting his presence as the top photographer of Virginia. Jeff has twice been named Portrait Photographer of the Year by the Maryland Professional Photographers.
Mr. Lubin has produced literature regarding all the various genres of portraiture. His lectures and artistry have ventured across the globe.
Mr. Lubin has been a keynote speaker at many national and state conventions. He has lectured all over the U.S. as well as Taiwan, China, Thailand, Korea, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Mexico and the Philippines. His style is one of the most emulated in the photography industry over the last quarter century.
- The Double Profile - July 19, 2023
