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THE MISSION

Shoot a cinematic head shot with a Speedlite and long lens

Time needed

One hour

Skill level

Intermediate

Kit needed

• Long lens
• Speedlite
• Umbrella/softbox
• Reflector
• Light stand
• Wireless flash trigger

If you want headshot portraits to have a vibrant, polished look then why not try a cinematic style? With a few simple camera skills we can get the look of a film still and transform subjects into would-be movie stars. As with most successful portraits, this has a lot to do with lighting, but it’s also about knowing how to get a lovely soft background. Combine these and you’ll be able to shoot portraits with star power.

There are two key elements that go into creating a cinematic headshot. The first is the backdrop. Ideally, this should be a jumble of details, colours and