Jill Greenberg is renowned for her emotive portraits of crying children, movie stars, and wild animals. While her subject matter is striking, it is her masterful lighting that truly elevates her work.
Want to know how she achieves such dramatic effects? Strobist hosts a series of behind‑the‑scenes videos that showcase Greenberg’s approach.
Typical Lighting Kit
- Two large soft‑box umbrellas positioned front‑side of the subject (one on each side)
- Ring light to fill shadows and add subtle rim glow
- Two rim lights placed behind and to the sides of the subject for separation from the background
- A large beauty dish used as the primary top light to sculpt facial features
- Background light to even out the backdrop and create a cohesive tonal range
While the arrangement may appear complex, the resulting images are unmistakably polished and professional.
Explore Greenberg’s lighting techniques to bring your own portraits and wildlife images to the next level.
—Matthew Panzarino, Contributing Blogger