Headshot

On-Axis Soft Headshot

Lighting setup

A large soft source directly over the lens lights the face evenly and frontally, dropping a single catchlight at the top of each eye and keeping the whole face open — a clean, dependable corporate headshot with no side shadow.

Lighting breakdown

1
On-Axis Soft Key
A large soft source directly over the lens and slightly above eye level lights the face evenly and frontally, placing a single soft catchlight at the top of each eye; the light is broad enough that the shadow side stays open with no loop or side shadow.
Large soft source over the lens · 0.9
Octabox

Base setup

Straight-on, soft, and clean — the reliable headshot.

Front elevation

Complete setup · 1 light

Learning path

This setup appears in curated assignments — continue the sequence when you are ready.

Step 4/8Beginner portrait lighting
Aim the edge of the modifier at the face instead of the middle — you lose brightness and gain evenness, and the background stops getting lit for free.
Light Builder Next: Short Light Turned Head Portrait →

Lights: 1
Contrast: 2:1 – 3:1 (soft, even)
Catchlight: Single soft catchlight at 12 o'clock in both eyes
Key position: On-axis and slightly above, catchlights at 12 o'clock.
Mood: Soft / Commercial
Quality: Soft Light
Subject: Female Beauty
Environment: Studio

Mood variations

Under-Chin Bounce

Add a white bounce under the chin to lift any neck shadow — it changes nothing about the on-axis look.

Softer, Closer

Move the source closer for an even softer wrap and brighter catchlights while keeping it centred over the lens.

Darker Backdrop

Light the grey backdrop less, or pull the subject forward, for a moodier headshot while the frontal key stays the same.

Final look

Base setup

A big soft source on the lens axis wraps light around the nose and cheeks almost symmetrically, so there is no loop and no strong shadow to distract from the expression — exactly what a headshot wants. Because the source sits just above the eyes, the catchlights land at twelve o'clock and the forehead reads a touch brighter than the chin, giving gentle shape without breaking the even, approachable look. An even grey backdrop keeps all the attention on the face.

Camera & framing

Exposure

ISO

ISO 100

Shutter

1/160 – 1/200s

Aperture

f/5.6 – f/8

Lens & framing

Lens

85 – 105mm portrait

Camera height

Eye level

Framing

Head and shoulders, full face in frame — chin, forehead, and both ears visible; comfortable headroom; no edge crop

Try these settings → Key : fill ratio →

Key notes

1Put one large soft source right over the lens, raised just enough to place the catchlight at the top of the eye.
2Keep it frontal — if a nose shadow angles off to one side you have made a loop; recentre until the face is even.
3Light the grey backdrop evenly (or let a bright even source spill onto it) so it reads as a clean, uniform tone.
4Optional: a white bounce under the chin lifts any neck shadow — it changes nothing about the on-axis look.