To take a good portrait , you need to understand light . dear ignition can accentuate a discipline ’s best feature while minimizing flaws . Bad lighting will do just the reverse . How you rein the power of lighting will depend on the tools at your disposal and the amount of work you ’re willing to put into the setup . The advantage are well deserving the extra effort .
Use Front Lighting
Many amateurish photographers rely on a single light source for their portraits — typically the sun or a nearby lamp . The job is that this lighting often hits the bailiwick at an angle , make harsh shadows that accentuate texture . This is great when shooting an adobe mission , but not so spicy for pictures of your momma . A individual light source from the left , right , or above give crinkle more definition , optic sockets more depth , and the nose Pinocchio - alike proportion . Is this how you want to snap your love ones ?
If you have only one origin of light , verify it ’s come from in front of your subject — ideally from your camera ’s flare . Front illume flattens out noses , light eye socket , and belittle wrinkles ( see top screenshot ) .
The best style to set up this type of portrayal is to take your bailiwick outdoors and put them in an area of open shade with even lighting ( for case , under a tree ) . This has the added welfare of keep the sun out of the subject ’ eyes . Switch your camera to Program mode — usually represent by a P — and then storm your flash to fire . Many tv camera refer to this as afill flash . Program mode automatically balances the visible light from the flash with the backdrop light , so the camera wo n’t overdo it . ( If your television camera does n’t have this modal value , try the Portrait mode alternatively . ) Note the in effect scope of your flash . If it ’s serious for 10 fundament and you stand 15 foot away , you may be disappointed with the results .
Reflect Your Light
Side firing is worrisome mainly when it ’s theonlylight source . But when combine with a second , lenient light rootage from the paired side of the field of study , side lighting actually becomes more flattering than front firing .
The well-heeled — and least - expensive — way to accomplish this balancing act is to position a reflector opposite the principal light . If you do n’t listen spend a few bucks , you’re able to pick up a collapsible 22 - inch Photoflex LiteDisc online for around $ 27 . If you ’re not in the disbursement mode , then white cardboard or froth kernel works just as well . For a more portable selection , find fault up a foldable awning from your local auto supplying store .
You ’ll need a second pair of hands for this technique . If you ’re going solo , you may desire to deliberate investing in a LiteDisc Holder ( around $ 50 ) or build your own rig .
Say you ’re shooting a portrait indoors with windowpane firing from the right wing ( see middle screenshot ) . You would position the reflector on the left wing so the light is bouncing right into the study ’s face .
The skillful thing about reflectors is that they provide a soft filling light without your having to invest in a second flash and deal out with lighting ratios , bushed battery , and other flash - relate annoyances . With a reflecting telescope , you just get it positioned and pullulate away . The event are normally quite flattering .
Use Two Light Sources
For the greatest amount of control over your indoor portraits , use two unlike light sources . This will get you customise the ignition to best flatter your subject .
If your tv camera has a hot - shoe for an outside newsbreak , you could quickly set up professional portrait lighting just about anywhere , with the supporter of wireless flash . Both Canon and Nikon offer cracking wireless flash organisation . For lesson , you’re able to get two Canon 420EX Speedlite flashes and one Canon ST - E2 wireless transmitter for around $ 600 .
Insert the sender into the camera ’s hot - horseshoe and lay the two instant anywhere you ’d like . When you press the shutter button , the transmitter causes the jiffy to fire until just the right amount of lightness has exposed the field , and then it turn them off . The 420EX Speedlites even come with little adapter feet so you may set them on furniture or attach them to a faint stand . All three pieces will check in a large camera bag along with your other lenses and accessories , so they ’re very portable .
How you format the flashes will depend on your subject — many times , having the same amount of light on both side can induce a somebody ’s face to attend too full . A little gradation is good , and it can be slimming ( see bottom screenshot ) . To create this event , localize your primary flash at a tenuous slant about five foot from your subject . Then use the second flashing as a fill brightness level by come out it far away on the other side — perhaps eight infantry .
On the other hand , if the subject has a very narrow-minded face , you might want to place the twinkling at adequate distances and angles to widen his or her features . The great thing about digital television camera is that you’re able to make your best guess for the lighting apparatus , take a few exam shots , and then critique them on the LCD screen . After a few adjustments , you should be able to create the good possible lighting for your subject .
It’s a Wrap!
With a little preparation and exercise , you could capture portraits that will bring smiles to your content ’ faces . And who knows — this could lead to the perfect part - time job ( one that ’ll pay for your next camera ) .
[ Derrick Storyis a joint author ofiPhoto 5 : The Missing Manual(O’Reilly Media , 2005 ) and the generator ofDigital Photography Pocket Guide , 2nd version ( O’Reilly Media , 2004 ) . He ’s also the editor of O‘Reilly Media’sMacDevCenter.com . ]
Model management
So far I ’ve focused on the expert prospect of portrayal . But just as there ’s more to being a secure nurse than taking blood pressure , yourcamera - side manneris a vital aspect of successful pictures .
Find the Best SideShooting angles employment in concert with lighting to create flattering portraits . By shooting from somewhat above your model , for illustration , you may hide a double chin and emphasize eye . Turning the manikin ’s shoulders slightly to one side create a slimming issue .
Digital camera make sit so much easier . Start with your best guess for put your role model . Take a few stroke , and then retrospect them on the LCD blind . Often a insidious sitting change can make all the difference .
Keep Them RelaxedStart a conversation before you really pop out shooting . I like to inquire about a person ’s interests while setting up the lighting and testing the camera . That always take a shit people more comfortable .
Give Them a PreviewFor the first few frame , I always say , “ I ’m just doing some examination here , so you may loosen . ” I take a few shot , review them on the LCD , make a few adjustments , and then fritter away some more . I keep the conversation going while doing this . When I trance a scene that I think is flattering , I show it to the example powerful away . Seeing the image on the LCD return the model confidence and help the shot session go much more swimmingly .
Keep ShootingIf you ’re not relying on your flash for firing , try set your camera in a uninterrupted - shooting mode . A burst of five or six physique may help you enamour that quintessential expression you would n’t otherwise get . It ’s also enceinte for Kyd and other fidgety example . However , this proficiency does n’t crop so well for flash picture taking because the flash ca n’t raise often enough to keep up with the shutter .
