First, you may want to soften both the key and fill lights, for a less dramatic effect. Tame the key spot by clipping a spun glass sheet across its open barn doors. The light will remain directional, only less punchy.
Next, try replacing the fill light scoop or broad with a soft box, umbrella or fluorescent pan. This much larger fill source looks more natural and rarely throws a shadow of its own, if you need to move it further forward. The larger source will deliver less fill per unit area, so it will be less aggressive. To perfect the look, move the light in and out until most, but not all, shadow details are visible on your reference monitor.
To complete the revision, move the back light farther away from the subject (or flood it, if using a spot) to cut down its intensity. Work for an unobtrusive glow that separates subject from background without calling attention to itself.
As you study the final effect (Figure 2) notice that the lighting style hasn't changed, so much as the intensity has. Realism is no more than pictorial realism with the tah-daaaah! toned d…
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