Description
Transform any wall into a colorful portrait background using creative lighting, colored gels, and a simple three-light setup.
In this beauty photography tutorial, portrait photographer @shootwithray shows how he builds a bold, colorful portrait one light at a time. Using the Westcott FJ400 II, FJ80 II, and FJ250, Ray creates a vibrant gelled background, soft beauty lighting, and clean reflective fill for a polished final image.
Instead of using a traditional backdrop, Ray uses blue and orange gels to turn a plain studio wall into a custom portrait background. He walks through how he places each light, adjusts spill, feathers the background light, and blends the gel colors to create a smooth purple-to-orange gradient.
Once the background is built, Ray brings in an FJ250 with the Rapid Box Switch Octa-L as the key light for soft, flattering beauty lighting. He then adds the Eyelighter 3 beneath the subject to bounce light back into the face, brighten the eyes, and soften shadows without adding another flash.
This setup is a great reminder that you don’t need an elaborate set to create dramatic portraits. With a few lights, colored gels, and some experimentation, you can transform an ordinary wall into a vibrant beauty photography background.
Gear Used:
Westcott FJ400 II: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/fj400-ii-touchscreen-400ws-strobe
Westcott FJ250: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/fj250-touchscreen-250ws-strobe
Westcott FJ80 II: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/fj80-ii-touchscreen-speedlight-80ws
Westcott FJ-X3s: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/fj-x3-wireless-flash-trigger
Rapid Box Switch Octa-L: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/rapid-box-switch-octa-l
ClickBox 1x3: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/clickbox-1x3-bowens
Eyelighter 3: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/eyelighter-3-silver-white-and-sunlight-fabric
FlexiGels Vivid Pack: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/flexigels-for-fj400-strobe-vivid-pack
FJ80 Creative Pack: https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/fj80-creative-pack-lock-ring
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