An Inside Look : Studio Portrait Lighting Techniques
Proper lighting is a necessity of taking professional looking photographs, including portraits. The knowledge and experience a portrait photographer can offer a client is the main reason they seek out professional services for family portraits, wedding photos and business headshots. Proper lighting used in portrait photography will enhance and flatter the subject’s appearance.
To create proper portrait lighting you need various studio lighting, photographic backdrops, a soft box, reflectors and studio umbrellas.
Photo : Robert Mitchell
Bounce the main light into a photographic umbrella, this will soften any shadows on the subjects face. The main light should be placed to one side at a 45-degree angle from the camera. Avoid the use of strong, harsh lighting which will create an undesired stark look and angular facial features.
Use a soft box on the man light to diffuse it. This is a common practice when shooting portraits for advertising purposes. Place the soft box at a 25-degree angle in front of your subject. To add fill light when using a soft box you can use a reflector board to bounce the light onto the subject.
You can use three lights in your studio when shooting portraits. Place two of the lights on each side of the camera at 20-degree angles. The third light should be placed opposite the main light and slightly behind the subject. Studio lights should be placed in a progressive pattern as they go away from the subject. For example, if the main light is located six feet in front of the subject, your front fill light should be approximately eight feet away.
Tips : Shooting Fashion and Glamor Photography
A lot goes into shooting fashion and glamor photography, choosing the right photographic backdrops and getting the photographic lighting just right, but developing a good relationship with your model might be most important. A fashion shoot is truly a collaborative effort between the model and the photographer, and a lot of care and precision needs to go into the process to assure that everyone comes out looking their best.
To begin with, you’ll want to direct your model without dictating exactly what they should do. Some models will need more direction than others, but being open to your model’s ideas and giving them some freedom will help assure that your photos turn out looking natural rather than forced.
While you may want everything perfect in your fashion photo shoot, it’s important to remember to allow yourself to be creative and even bend the rules a little bit. It’s okay if your shoot isn’t as seamless as your seamless backdrop. You might want to change the lighting angle to something less conventional or mix up different body shots and head shots. If your model has a particularly striking feature, feel free to maximize on it. Trial and error is a big part of the process, but it can also be where you have your biggest success.
Photo : Kate Massey
Another part of having great fashion photos is by sheer volume. The law of averages dictates that the more pictures you take the more great photos you will get. You never know what might be going through your model’s mind at a specific moment that will get you the perfect expression, but if you miss it, it’s gone forever. You can always delete any bad shots from your memory cards.
Another thing that is important to remember when shooting fashion photos is that you are always selling something. Whether it is the unique way your model wears her makeup, her skin tone, her clothing or the flower in her hair, taking time to tune into these things will make your photos stand out. Feel free to experiment with a variety of photography backdrops to take lighter and more dramatic shots. You may discover some nice surprises.
While experimentation and flexibility are both very important when it comes to getting great shots, you also want to maintain your professionalism. Stay calm even when things get stressful. Make sure your model knows you are trying a lot of things in order to have the best final product, and that you know what you’re doing. Even if you are inexperienced, it is important not to show it. Doubt is contagious and is bound to show up in your photos.
Fashion Photography Lighting: Soft Boxes!
Because soft lighting is the preference during fashion photography, rather than stark hard over-head lighting, photographic soft boxes are generally a staple in most photographers’ studios. The soft box not only affects the model, but the photographic backdrop as well.
Photo : Krazy Kev Cool
Step One:
Light that is considered soft is diffused, and is more flattering. When light doesn’t travel in the same direction, it is softer. However, direct light is harder. Think of what it’s like on a cloudy day, where the light is softer because the sun’s rays are shining through the clouds. However, when the day is sunny, the light is stark and hard.
Step Two:
Creating soft light lamps is simple. Shine light through material in order to create diffusion. Materials include seamless paper, muslins, and silks. Choose materials that will not sacrifice light intensity when diffusing.
To add the material to diffuse your lights, you can attach the fabric right to the light. This isn’t recommended, though, because it could catch fire. Another option is to build a frame, attach the material to it, and shine the light through. Using a photographic soft box, though, is the easiest option.
Step Three:
Soft boxes a specifically designed to create and diffuse soft light. These attach directly to lamps, and aren’t fire hazards. Even though they’re referred to as boxes, they actually aren’t boxes at all. The soft box is constructed from a ring, four sticks, a black box, and diffusion material.
The outside of the soft box is black, that way bouncing light isn’t an issue. Inside the soft box is reflective material used for maximum light creation out of the box from the bulb. The spread of light is further maximized through use of a design where the box widens at the end where diffusion occurs.
Step Four:
If you’re in need of a soft box for one day’s work, you can construct one easily. Purchase a large piece of foam that is black on one side and white on the other, black tape, a light stand, and material. Cut the foam into four pieces, each equal in size, and tape them together so the white is on the inside. Tape the material the front of the box, and mount it to a stand. Place your box in front of the light.
How To Light A White Background In Photography
There are four main sources of light a photographer has to work with when shooting in a studio environment. These sources include the main or pin light, flash fill, reflected light and the background light. The background light is one of the more crucial sources of light when shooting a portrait. This light eliminates any shadows that may be cast onto the photographic backdrop from the main or fill lighting. The background light must be placed behind the subject to illuminate the area behind the model or object being photographed.
Photo : Nick Wheeleroz
Place two light stands on either side of the studio background when shooting a free-standing model or object. The light stands need to be positioned slightly behind where you will place the subject of your photograph. Look through the camera’s viewfinder to confirm the light stands are not in the frame and reposition is necessary.
Use daylight balanced bulbs that are white and full-spectrum to illuminate your photographic backdrop. Avoid using regular incandescent light bulbs, because they will cast an unnatural yellowish hue onto the background and/or can affect the color spectrum and/or white balance of your photograph. Place the light bulbs into the light stands. Point lights toward the backdrop in a downward angle so they cross just before reaching the backdrop.
Photo : Nick Wheeleroz
If you will be shooting an object that is placed on a stand you will need to position the stand at least two feet in front of the white seamless backdrop. Place two short stand lights, or small floor lights, on the floor behind the stand so they are out of sight from the camera’s viewfinder. Use white full-spectrum daylight balanced bulbs and point them up toward the backdrop. Light beams should cross just before reaching the backdrop.
Take some test shots before finalizing the light positions. If possible, place the model or object in the correct position during test shots. This will help you determine if there are any unwanted shadows, overly bright spots or dark spots on the photographic backdrop. Re-adjust camera, subject or light positions as necessary until you have reached desired look and feel of the photograph.
Fundamentals : Soft Lighting In Portrait Photography
When you invite a client into your studio for a portrait session, clients expect to walk away with a photograph that is a realistic likeness free of flaws and blemishes, of course. Taking portraits that flatter your subject generally lead to happier customers. One way to improve your chances of pleasing your customers is with soft lighting. Soft lighting is much more flattering than harsh lighting. Achieving a perfect balance between harsh lights and soft lights takes some artistic interpretation, practice and technical expertise.
Harsh lighting accentuates minute details that include scars and wrinkles in your portrait subject. It also produces more shadows around features like the chin, nose and eyes. Soft lighting tends to obscure the fine details and produce a smooth, even facial texture for your photograph.
In order to grasp the concept of harsh light and soft light, stop thinking about light as being bright or dim. It is really about being big or wide, and small or narrow. Simply stated, harsh light is smaller, more targeted and soft light is larger. If you are taking photos outside rather than inside in front of a photographic backdrop, consider the outdoor lighting. Full, bright sunshine is harsher than the softer light on a cloudy day. Clouds tend to spread the light-make it broader-whereas full sun without obstruction is relatively direct.
What Is The Gray Zone?
Before discussing how to create soft lighting in your studio, let’s mention another aspect of lighting effects. The term “gray zone” refers to the area between full light and full shadow. Using a hand held light source like a lamp, spotlight or flashlight, point the beam on your backdrop. You will notice that the light gradually fades into shadows. The area between the full light and the shadows is called the gray zone. You can see the band widen and become narrow by moving the light source closer to the photographic backdrop and then further away. The wider this area is, the softer the overall lighting is. When setting up your light sources, check the gray zone to determine if your light is soft enough for portrait applications.
Photo : Gilbert Rossi
Creating Soft Lighting For Portraiture
One way to get a softer light is to move the photographic light source closer to your subject. Another way to expand the light is to bounce your light off an umbrella. The reflection expands the targeted light to the full width of the photographic umbrella. You will often see this technique used in the quick studio settings in local department stores and temporary setups for the holidays.
Professional photographers use other equipment, such as reflectors, reflective photographic backgrounds and diffusers to produce the same effects in their studios and on location. Bouncing light off a wall instead of an umbrella can have the same softening effects.
Exceptional portraits are within your reach. Stock your studio with enough seamless background options and light sources to allow you to accommodate a variety of customers. Utilize the basics of creating soft lighting to flatter your clients. The results are sure to please.
Great Family Portraits : Photography Tips
If you’re looking to gain credibility and business as a professional photographer, it’s pertinent that you know how to shoot a great family portrait. Here are some simple “do’s” and “don’ts” to remember on your next family portrait shoot :
Photo : Southern Light Photography
DO’S
Move Groups Together -
Get families close together. Not only does this help you fit them into your photographic backdrop easier, but the photos emit a sense of warmth and togetherness.
Plan Your Subject’s Clothing -
Obviously, it’s up to the particular family as to what they want to wear, but you might consider advising them to stay away from extreme colors, clothing with large logos on them, or clothing that may clash with your seamless background.
Check Camera Screen -
When you’re shooting groups of people, you’re bound to get shots where people are blinking or not looking at the camera or doing something else. Check out the camera to make sure you’ve got the shots that you want before you move on.
Provoke A Reaction -
Tell a joke. Playfully rib one of your subjects. Just do something to get a reaction of them. The more natural the family feels, the better the photos will look.
Blur The Photographic Background -
Photographic backgrounds are important. But do you know what’s more important? Your subjects. You want to focus the lens on your subjects, not the background.
DONT’S
Don’t Pick The Wrong Backdrop – Keep in mind the subjects you will be photographing and pick your photographic backdrop accordingly (i.e. if your are going to be shooting older teenagers or adults perhaps use a muslin background or darker, more sophisticated colors).
Don’t Forget To Check Your Camera Settings -
It’s a photographer’s worst nightmare to complete a photo shoot only to realize that you weren’t using the right lens, or didn’t have the camera on the correct setting for outdoor shots. Don’t put yourself in that position, double-, triple- and quadruple-check your settings.
Beware Of The Head Tilt -
Oh, the dreaded head tilt. It’s fine for shooting star-crossed lovers, but not so fine for shooting families. Be aware of this and correct it, if necessary.
Don’t Sound Like An Amateur -
Is there anything more frustrating to a client than a photographer that doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing? Remember, you’re hired because you’re a professional. Come prepared.
Don’t Let Someone Else Run The Show -
You’re shooting this family portrait for a reason – because you’re the professional photographer. So no matter how much of an expert Mom, Uncle Joe or the kid who used a point-and-shoot once claim to be, remember, it’s you who should have say.
Don’t Be Afraid To Listen To Other Ideas -
We just got done telling you not to let anyone else run your photo shoot. And while we stand by this important “don’t,” we don’t think you should completely tune out the opinions or ideas of others. For example, if little Jimmy wants to take a picture out back in front of his playhouse, go for it.
Photography Portrait Tips
Portrait studios focus on taking pictures of people. Whether you are photographing one person or twelve, make your photos special.
A group portrait should reflect some familiarity or connection between the subjects. You can enhance this element by creating poses that have the subjects holding hands, resting a hand on the shoulder of another group member or even by having the people face-to face. The physical contact can be so subtle it is barely noticeable. For more professional photos like a corporate board or ball team, have the members stand shoulder to shoulder, or choose a few members to turn slightly toward one another on the outer borders of the shot. An outdoor ribbon cutting looks better if the front members are sharing a pair of scissors or a plaque. Connections make more pleasing group photographs.
A traditional pose for groups with several people, is to perhaps arrange them on a staircase. Smaller groups can be arranged in an inverted V for a symmetrical look. Capturing children at play delivers a natural photo. Position them in front of a beach backdrop with a sandbox. It is often less stressful for the children and the photographer can capture some great smiles this way.
In addition to posing, the photographer’s seamless background adds character to portraits. There are so many types of backdrops for photography to choose from today that you can create almost any mood. Keep in mind that the back ground should not detract from the subject. If a studio background is too busy, the subject will lose its prominence. Choose a scene or color that fits your needs without being over-powering. If necessary, shoot closer to your subject to reduce the amount of background that shows in the photograph.
Deciding whether to shoot your subject outdoors or indoors is really a matter of preference for the photographer and the client. Indoor settings provide more control for the photographer. Artificial lighting can be positioned and manipulated to control the shadows on the subject, which control the personality of the final product. The type of photographic background can be anything from a solid color to a mountain scene. Adding extra lights and using controlled reflection helps the photographer achieve the results desired.
Outdoor scenes can be quiet appealing. A photo in front of a waterfall or lush garden may be exactly what you are looking for. Remember to watch for distracting items in the background. If possible, take your photographs in the early morning or late afternoon to take advantage of the best light.
Studio Lighting For Head Shots – Tutorial
This studio lighting tutorial will cover topics of key light, light placement, background and fill light, and camera placement to give your client the best look. A client getting a head shot wants the focus on the face, not a fancy photographic backdrop. This tutorial is demonstrating the use of light.
When developing backgrounds for photography, a black or a dark gray seamless paper works. Key photographic lighting works particularly well if used with a jumbo umbrella. This spreads the light, reflected at a 45 degree angle helping you create a flawless image for your client. Photographic backdrops are used to fit the job; with head shots shorter seamless ones are used.
Photo : Gilbert Rossi
Anyone trying to make their way in the entertainment world has or needs a head shot in their portfolio. Learning to do head shot photography is an important piece of photography and the backgrounds for photography must be chosen carefully.
Developing a great head shot for a customer is an excellent way of making money and getting your photography known. People from many professions require good head shots. If you have the ability to create a photographic image that makes them look great you will be their best friend. Good photographers are represented by their work.
The setting of a key light places light on the hair area particularly dark hair. Since dark topics soak light the added light on the hair is important. Lighting must be placed correctly in order to get the best image possible. Place the photographic lighting significantly to the later part of the forehead. Set the light to touch the head midpoint reflecting toward the back. The positioning of the light must be just right. Too much push forward the nose shines and the eyes go dark; three feet of height above image works great at a setting of an f/4.5 or f/5.6.
Place background light as near to the photographic backdrops as possible, and remember to aim the light at a slight angle; almost pointing straight. My seamless background glow is geared to 1 stop under the key light, this gives the subject distinction.
Gritty & Vibrant : Two Of The More Popular Styles Of Photography
When photographers look to do something a little different with their photography they often will take their photography in one of two directions, either towards the gritty or towards the vibrant. In either case, choosing the right photographic backdrop plays a big role in how successful you are in creating the look and style you desire.
Photo : Destroy Inc.
Gritty photography has sort of a dark retro feel to it (retro backdrops), as if the photographer has come across a ghost town where their subject has been preserved. Inspiration for these styles can come from many places from the Old West, to video games, to over the top ad campaigns. It’s just important to find the mix that works for you.
Gritty photography uses darker, brooding shades such as dark browns or shades of black. The style creates a serious mood and can even suggest an element of danger. Some use this style to give that “rock and roll’ feel to their photography or to express as kinship with counter culture.
Photo : Kent Johnson
If gritty photography suggest an over the top style and rock and roll, then vibrant solid colored backdrops and style can be categorized as something designed to pop. By using brighter colors strategically placed with high contrasts, such as black and white, vibrant photography definitely sends the message that it is here to stay. Influences of this type of photography include older ads and even comic books or even children’s programming.
Of course there is no law that says you can’t try a little bit of both. The situation of your photo shoot as well as the opinions of your subjects and clients will play a part in what photographic backdrop and style you choose. You may even want to place a bit of the vibrant strategically against a more gritty photographic backdrops. You may get inspiration from many places, but finding what works will likely take some time and patience, buy you will get there. If you are working in digital photography you will have plenty of opportunity to experiment and take shots that reflect both the gritty and vibrant styles combined with your own personal signature style, as well as the more traditional photography backdrops and find a style that is truly unique to you.
A Guide to Photographic Backdrops
If you’re looking to produce expert images, a seamless photographic backdrop is an excellent tool. A seamless background is perfect for a photo session when staging or other custom setups are necessary. A variety of materials including cardstock, silk, canvas and vinyl are used when creating some backdrops. These materials can be obtained in a variety of colors, sizes and textures. Photographers, novice and expert, can find these backdrops in several merchant locations, as well as additional photography accessories.
Always comparision shop prior to purchasing in terms of photographic studio equipment and other lighting package deals. That way, you know you’re receiving the best photographer backdrop for your money. A gallery typically uses numerous styles of glare-free photographic vinyl or muslins that are brightly colored that are adaptable based on the artists’ needs or other uses they’re envisioning. Analyze the background of your photographic scenes in order to determine how backdrops can aid your project along with lighting and additional props.
Use of seamless backdrops varies from photographer to photographer depending on their inspiration, their subject matter, and their intended final result. It isn’t uncommon to see a photographer improvising in some situations. However, even when improvising, the photographer’s backdrop should never out-do the subject. It’s best when there is minimum contrast between the backdrop and the subject. For example, you can’t photograph an individual in green against a green backdrop.
Photo : John Hong
In the case of white or very light photographic backdrops, shadows are the primary problem. The biggest question is how to incorporate a flash. Most experts will tell you to avoid using a flash, and change the configurations on your digital camera to optimize the shot. There are certain circumstances where a flash is essential, so attempt to minimize shadowing as best as you can. It also helps to eliminate the backdrop, and simply re-arrange the subject matter in a way that would allow for optimal camera exposure.
If you’re unable to make a firm decision regarding which photo backdrop is best, experiment with several of them. This works best with digital cameras because nothing is wasted, and all pictures that don’t come out correctly can be deleted right away. Through use of a digital camera, too, you’re able to see immediately which seamless backdrop works the best, thus speeding up the session. As a photographer, you’re going to quickly learn that changing supplies, as well as studio photography equipment is going to happen frequently throughout your career. Simply welcome these changes, and how they improve your career!
