By Amy Renfrey
If you have ever wanted to know how to shoot beautiful portraits in a photographic studio then you will not want to overlook these tips.
Recently I did a photo session of a friend in the photographic studio. She wanted a simple portrait for her website. I used a few techniques and tricks to not only pose her well, but light the photo in a satisfying way.
Studio portrait techniques are not difficult to learn. They just need an understanding of just how much light you require, and, what direction it is coming from. Studio light is so uncomplicated and can be mastered with some practice. It?s important not to hurry these things as you complete an understanding of studio lighting.
Studio portrait lighting techniques depend heavily on how much light falls on the subject. Most studio lighting is fitted with several lights including softboxes. Softboxes are pretty simple to utilise. They are lights that have a uninterrupted mode to them, yet fire with a wireless trigger. This will mean that that the lights stay on until you connect a wireless remote trigger to them.
Recently I did a photo session of a friend in the photographic studio. She wanted a simple portrait for her website. I used a few techniques and tricks to not only pose her well, but light the photo in a satisfying way.
Studio portrait techniques are not difficult to learn. They just need an understanding of just how much light you require, and, what direction it is coming from. Studio light is so uncomplicated and can be mastered with some practice. It?s important not to hurry these things as you complete an understanding of studio lighting.
Studio portrait lighting techniques depend heavily on how much light falls on the subject. Most studio lighting is fitted with several lights including softboxes. Softboxes are pretty simple to utilise. They are lights that have a uninterrupted mode to them, yet fire with a wireless trigger. This will mean that that the lights stay on until you connect a wireless remote trigger to them.
This small tool sits on your camera. Its counterpart attaches at the back of the light. When you activate the shutter button that light shoots out a burst of light, comparable to the direct flash. The motivation for this is that we want to photograph a well lit portrait.
The direction and output of light are two things to take into consideration when creating lovely studio portraits. You need exactly the right amount of light on the subject's face. Too little can create too many awful shadowed areas under the nose, chin and darken the eyes. This is not the result we want for typical studio portraits.
The direction and output of light are two things to take into consideration when creating lovely studio portraits. You need precisely the right quantity of light on the subject's face. too much angle and you can create too many dreadful shadows under the nose, chin and darken the eyes. This is not the outcome we want for typical studio portraits.
Next we must look at the angle of light. Typically studio portraiture relies on front on lighting. This is for precisely the same reason as the first example. If you have just one light to the side of the subject's face you will create deep shadowed areas accross their face. This is great for a theatrical effect but it is not going to work for a relaxed, family studio shot of your friend or family member.
You can light the person from the front with one light or two. If you use two lights they must be placed at like distances on either side of the subject's face. For example, you can position one light two meters away from the persons right side of the face. Next, you can place a light at exactly the same distance on the other side. That will give you an smooth lighting style across their face, getting rid of any shadows completely.
What about the background? You can keep the background simple if you want the major focus to be on the face. On the other hand you can bring in a few studio props. These might be belongings that the person loves, such as flowers, a push bike and even a favourite old chair.
What about the backdrop? You can keep the backdrop basic if you want the major focus to be
The direction and output of light are two things to take into consideration when creating lovely studio portraits. You need exactly the right amount of light on the subject's face. Too little can create too many awful shadowed areas under the nose, chin and darken the eyes. This is not the result we want for typical studio portraits.
The direction and output of light are two things to take into consideration when creating lovely studio portraits. You need precisely the right quantity of light on the subject's face. too much angle and you can create too many dreadful shadows under the nose, chin and darken the eyes. This is not the outcome we want for typical studio portraits.
Next we must look at the angle of light. Typically studio portraiture relies on front on lighting. This is for precisely the same reason as the first example. If you have just one light to the side of the subject's face you will create deep shadowed areas accross their face. This is great for a theatrical effect but it is not going to work for a relaxed, family studio shot of your friend or family member.
You can light the person from the front with one light or two. If you use two lights they must be placed at like distances on either side of the subject's face. For example, you can position one light two meters away from the persons right side of the face. Next, you can place a light at exactly the same distance on the other side. That will give you an smooth lighting style across their face, getting rid of any shadows completely.
What about the background? You can keep the background simple if you want the major focus to be on the face. On the other hand you can bring in a few studio props. These might be belongings that the person loves, such as flowers, a push bike and even a favourite old chair.
What about the backdrop? You can keep the backdrop basic if you want the major focus to be
Next we must look at the angle of light. Typically studio portraiture relies on front on lighting. This is for precisely the same reason as the first example. If you have just one light to the side of the subject's face you will create deep shadowed areas accross their face. This is great for a theatrical effect but it is not going to work for a relaxed, family studio shot of your friend or family member.
You can light the person from the front with one light or two. If you use two lights they must be placed at like distances on either side of the subject's face. For example, you can position one light two meters away from the persons right side of the face. Next, you can place a light at exactly the same distance on the other side. That will give you an smooth lighting style across their face, getting rid of any shadows completely.
What about the background? You can keep the background simple if you want the major focus to be on the face. On the other hand you can bring in a few studio props. These might be belongings that the person loves, such as flowers, a push bike and even a favourite old chair.
What about the backdrop? You can keep the backdrop basic if you want the major focus to be on the face. On the other hand you can bring in a small amount of studio props. These may be things that the person loves, such as flowers, a push bike and even a lovely old chair. At all times keep the lighting uncomplicated. Consider what you want to light and position the lights in that position. I know it sounds a lot simpler than it really is, but with some preparation you will become good at the studio in no time.
About the Author:
You can light the person from the front with one light or two. If you use two lights they must be placed at like distances on either side of the subject's face. For example, you can position one light two meters away from the persons right side of the face. Next, you can place a light at exactly the same distance on the other side. That will give you an smooth lighting style across their face, getting rid of any shadows completely.
What about the background? You can keep the background simple if you want the major focus to be on the face. On the other hand you can bring in a few studio props. These might be belongings that the person loves, such as flowers, a push bike and even a favourite old chair.
What about the backdrop? You can keep the backdrop basic if you want the major focus to be on the face. On the other hand you can bring in a small amount of studio props. These may be things that the person loves, such as flowers, a push bike and even a lovely old chair. At all times keep the lighting uncomplicated. Consider what you want to light and position the lights in that position. I know it sounds a lot simpler than it really is, but with some preparation you will become good at the studio in no time.
About the Author:
Amy is a professional photographer who teaches enthusiasts how to take stunning photos quickly and easily. For more the best and most professional information on how to improve photography Sign up for her monthly photography ezine and watch your photography transform.