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06/20/2005 06:43:42 PM · #1 |
| help! i want to get more into taking portraits, but i am not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to studio lighting.( or lighting in general) if anyone has advice or can point me in the direction on where i can read about lighting (what set up, where to buy lights, how to make my own light setups?) any advice will help. ive seen tons of great portraits and self portraits on this site so i know there are talented people out there. thanks!!!! |
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06/20/2005 06:50:21 PM · #2 |
My personal opinion of lighting is this....
I personally enjoy soft lighting that shows just enough to capture the right amount of detail in a person. Like a small lamp pointed toward them from across the room..or candlelight...or sunsetting light..that to me is beautiful and makes a picture "worth a thousand words".
Example..the sun was setting on this one..
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06/20/2005 06:57:04 PM · #3 |
I would suggest going to your local library and looking for some books on lighting for Photography. Amazon is also a place to look if you want to buy your own books.
There is a lot that can be done with Natural light and a couple of reflectors/diffusers.
If you want to head into studio flash there are numerous options. I recently bought a flash from www.alienbees.com with softbox (otagon one) and I am very pleased with it.
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06/20/2005 07:00:42 PM · #4 |
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06/20/2005 07:20:32 PM · #5 |
There's more to lighting than you could ever post in a forum. I suggest practicing on something first, only to see how light does not bend. Noses in particular are hard to light. What looks good on men, makes women look like mutated freaks. What looks good on women makes men look like women. Lighting is, however, not the only aspect of portraits.. It's also about horizon, posing, angles etc. Anyone with a light meter can evenly light a subject using dual flash units, or a reflector. However, will that light compliment the pose? Or will the angle you're at give you the look you want.
Here's the best I can give you
Women:
Posture- make sure they are sitting/standing straight, bad posture creates bum portraits in women.
Light/Shadow- only use small defining shadows on women.
Posing- If you are looking for traditional shots, any book will tell you 45 degrees against the camera, lean the head towards the knees (lightly i might add) and turn the head toward the lens. If you are looking for more fashion oriented shots, us balance creating techniques like the "S" curve. It says that if the hip goes left, the shoulders go right, and the head follows the hips.
Hands- avoid protruding knuckles (i.e. clenched hands, fingers interlocked etc.)...
Horizon- shoot from about 4~5 inches above the model, and have them move their chin downward (slightly). This forces them to sort of look up at you, opening their eyes. It also shortens the nose.
Men:
Posture- men can slouch, they actually look 'wrong' with correct posture.
Lighting/Shadows- Heavier shadows can be used. It's more masculine and creates a rigid 'tough' look.
Posing- again, avoid straight posture (especially from the side). Men are harder to pose because you can't use as drastic of posing. Meaning, your 's' curves have to be lessened.
Hands- You can do whatever with mens' hands. you can lock the fingers, you can have protruding knuckles (to an extent). With men, the 'bigger and badder' they look, the better in most cases of course.
Hope that helps you.
Message edited by author 2005-06-20 19:21:57.
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06/20/2005 07:54:57 PM · #6 |
| thanks! i appreciate the help so far. i am also very unfamalliar with the types of lights and what they are for, so when someone says "reflecters, defussers, softbox...etc" im lost. |
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06/20/2005 08:37:00 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by fauxreal:
thanks! i appreciate the help so far. i am also very unfamalliar with the types of lights and what they are for, so when someone says "reflecters, defussers, softbox...etc" im lost. |
pretty self explanatory..
reflectors do just that. Most come in sets. Adorama has one for 50 bucks that has 5 parts. diffuser, silver, gold, white, and a black for total blockage.
softboxes are diffusers. the more you diffuse the light, the less harsh it is. it's used for a soft feel with light. you can also get diffusers as umbrellas, same for reflectors.
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06/21/2005 12:05:12 AM · #8 |
| thank you so much. that was way more help and advice than i expected. hopefully ill get some good shots soon and post them. thanks again! |
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06/21/2005 12:29:12 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by peterish:
Ask librido :) |
You mean librodo?
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