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Lighting diagram for a two-person interview

Cross keys: each person's key is the other's rim, set just far enough behind each eyeline that neither throws a shadow on the other's face. It is the cheapest two-person setup that cuts together, because both singles share the same lighting logic and the wide does not give the trick away. The discipline is in the flags: each key wants to spill onto the opposite background, and the pair of solids is what keeps the two sides feeling like one room instead of two setups.

Guest1.3 mHost1.3 mWide cam35mmKey A / rim B2.2 m · SBKey B / rim A2.2 m · SBFlagFlag1 m
  • Guestat 2.5, 2.5 m
  • Hostat 4.5, 2.5 m
  • Wide camat 3.5, 4.6 m
  • Key A / rim Bat 5.6, 1.2 m40°5600K
  • Key B / rim Aat 1.4, 1.2 m40°5600K
  • Flagat 5.0, 2.0 mKeeps key A off the far wall
  • Flagat 2.0, 2.0 mKeeps key B off the near wall

The packing list this plan writes

  • Key A / rim B · Keylighting
  • Key B / rim A · Keylighting
  • Flag · Keeps key A off the far walllighting
  • Flag · Keeps key B off the near walllighting
  • Softbox · from the lighting plans×2 · grip