Flat light, most flattering for the model?

Okay this seems to be a popular belief, that flat light is most flattering to the model.

First of all what is flat light? Flat light is when everything in the photo is lit evenly, basically there is no contrast. If you shoot a coke bottle, the bottle look a part of the background, if you shoot a model, he or she look a part of the background. Flat light is most common on cloudy days, or when you shoot in shade. Trees and clouds act as a giant soft box or scirm. Here is a example of flat light for ambient lighting.

In the studio, flat light is achieved by 2 ways. Either your background lights and your main and fill lights are all at the same power. Or you main and fill lights are background lights to, and your background and subject are close together. We all see this is our yearbook photos, Rembrandt lighting style and we are up against the background, so we just kind of blend in with it. Yeah, I am sure we all remember those photographs. Here is a good example of flat light iu the studio

This is a copyrighted photo I found on Google, this is an EXAMPLE only!

So enought about what flat light is, now let's go into why this makes sense, but at the same time does not. Models with rough skin, you have to light them right. You can not have harsh shadows or it'll make their skin pop, in a bad way. The begin to look like the dark side of the moon. So it makes sense you want to evenly light them up. I understand that, trust me. However, I like contrast in my photos, so let's go over another lighting style that'll do just as good. 

Wrap around. Wrap around light is light that wraps around the model, and falls off on the back area, and the background. The only problem with wrap around light is you have to have a big source of light for it. Usually a softbox or octabox that is at least 36 inches across, meaning it is about twice as big as most models. Wrap around light is flat lighting on the model, but still gives you some pop in your photos. The way to light them is as followed.

Full body, waist up and 3/4th body shots. Use a softbox that is 3x5 or bigger or a 36 inch or bigger octabox. Now keep in mind these are big light sources, a 300 watt or bigger light will be required to fill the source. Anyways go about half power on an Alienbees B800, and get that softbox as close to the model as you can without it being in the frame, meter it and expose properly. Cameras and lenses will make a difference in your metering. Once you get it metered properly, start shooting and have fun!

For headshots, a beauty dish, a large softbox or a ring light will do the same. Follow the same directions. Place the model where you want him or her, Meter up. Make sure everything is exposed right, and shoot away! Here is an example or wrap around lighting. 

Yes, this is photo shopped to hell and back. Again example :)

So yes, flat lighting does make sense to be more flattering to the model. It is a bigger light source and it does not create shadows. If you want to shoot flat light shoot in shade, or shoot on a cloudy day. Studio make everything the same power. If you want to try wrap around here are some links to softboxes and to some lights that'll give you a good wrap around light. I have also provided links for location photography to.

Paul C. Buff Alienbees B800
http://www.alienbees.com/b800.html

Paul C. Buff Alienbees ABR800 ringlight
http://www.alienbees.com/abr800.html

Innovations battery packs
http://www.innovatronix.com/prod_gallery.asp

Paul C. Buff Vagabond 2 and Vagabond Mini
http://www.alienbees.com/VIIsystem.html

http://www.alienbees.com/vmini.html

Paul C. Buff Alienbees 60 inch moon unit

http://www.alienbees.com/mu56.html

Typical umbrella
http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-40-Umbrella-Reflective-Removable/dp/B002ZY4T8S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1307048839&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-33-Silver-silver-umbrella/dp/B001TSMJDS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1307048867&sr=8-4

Phtek softlighter

http://www.amazon.com/Lastolite-LL-LU3227-40-Inch-Umbrella/dp/B00012CHIK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1307048965&sr=1-7

Paul C. Buff Alienbees PLM
http://www.alienbees.com/plm.html

These light modifiers will help you get good soft wrap around light!

Hope to hear more questions. If you have any Email me at wolfiemuellerphotography@gmail.com