7 Common Portrait Lighting Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

If you’re just getting started in studio portrait light, here’s a 12-minute video that may be helpful to you. Photographer Antti Karppinen shares 7 of the most common lighting mistakes done in studio portraits, and he teaches how you can avoid each one.

Here’s a quick overview of the 7 mistakes (watch the video above for a closer explanation and examination of each one):

#1. Your Main Light is Too Low

#2. Your Main Light is Too High

#3. Your Fill Light Has Wrong Placement or Power

#4. Your Separation Light Causes Undesirable ‘Nose Light’

#5. Your Separation Light is Overexposing

#6. Your Separation Light is Creating Flare

#7. Your Background is Overexposed