Using Lights when Shooting Portraits

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

There are various light sources that you can use while shooting portraits, the light coming from window, direct sun light, studio lights, bulbs etc. You can get different results with different light sources. Since we are shooting portraits we have some basic rules for each of them;

Light Coming from Window;

• Decide amount of light that you want to use; different amount of light comes from window at different times of day.
• Use a thin white sheet to soften the light; if you let the light hit the model’s face without being filtered , some parts of face will be too bright and shadows will be sharp. Placing a thin sheet of paper or cloth in front of window will soften the light.
• Use reflectors to soften shadows; you can use a white cardboard (or something that reflects the light). Place your reflector towards the dark areas on face in order to reduce the light difference between light and dark areas.
• Be sure that 3/4 of model’s face is lighten by the light coming form window.

Continuous Light Sources

• Place your light source towards to your model with 45 degree angle.(Place your light slightly higher than your model’s head)
• Put a thin paper in front of your light. ( Make sure the paper is not very close to the light, it may burn… Be careful) Of course you can use more professional and complex photography gear but if you have those equipment, probably you don’t need to read this article…
• Place your reflector to the opposite side of light (place it other side of the model with a 45 degree angle) to soften the dark areas.

Using More than One Continuous Light

• If you have a chance to use more than one light source, again place your main light as i told above.
• Instead of using a reflector you can use a less powerful second light to soften the shadows on the face.
• Also you can use lights to lighten the background. Nicely hide the light behind the model and make sure it is not included in you composition.
• Or you can turn the extra light towards to model’s hair. To do that place your light source to a higher place behind the model, narrow the light with the help of a cone or cone shaped cardboard to create a ray of light that only lightens up the hair. (we don’t want the light hit to the camera directly)
• When using an extra light be careful about the brightness of lights, do not make your extra lights brighter than your main light.

Shooting Outdoors

• First determine the time of day you want to take pictures of your model. I believe early morning and afternoon are the best time for photography that creates a warm effect on portraits.
• If you are shooting at noon that sun hits the model directly from top, you may prefer to shoot your model under a shade. Also be careful about the background, do not choose too bright backgrounds.
• Reflectors may come in handy for sunny outdoor shots.

That’s all for now…