Lighting is one of the most important aspects of portrait photography, dramatically influencing the mood and impact of your images. Here are five useful and versatile settings.
Coming to you from Ab Sessay with AdoramaThis insightful video explores five distinct portrait lighting setups. It highlights the importance of lighting placement and its impact on the subject and the overall scene. For example, placing a key light close to the subject will create softer light with less intense highlights, creating a dark, moody look. This setup is further enhanced by using gels to control color temperature and shadows, adding depth and character to your portraits.
The second setup showcases the versatility of a two-light setup, which can create a variety of looks with minimal adjustments. Simply changing the position of the lights or adding a flag can transform a simple, elegant portrait into a more dramatic scene. This technique is especially useful when you need to quickly capture different moods or have limited time with your subject. The video highlights how small adjustments, like repositioning the main light or adding a rim light, can dramatically change the look and feel of a portrait, demonstrating the power of thoughtful lighting choices.
The video also addresses a common question: should you use a silver or white umbrella? Each has its own advantages, and the choice depends on the desired effect. White umbrellas provide a soft, even light, ideal for general use, while silver umbrellas provide a more focused, controllable light. The video shows how to adjust the silver umbrella to create different levels of contrast and fading, making it more versatile for specific lighting situations.
For those interested in fashion or editorial photography, the final setup demonstrates a simple yet effective technique using a single reflector above the camera. This setup creates hard light with soft edges, adding depth and dimension to the image while highlighting both the subject and their wardrobe. The subtle differences between soft and hard shadows are explored, showing how they can impact the overall feel of the portrait. This approach is especially useful when the clothing is as important as the subject, making it a valuable technique for fashion shoots. Watch the video above for a full rundown from Sessay.
If you want to continue learning about portrait lighting, be sure to check out “Face Lighting: Lighting for Portraits and Headshots With Peter Hurley!”
