Portrait Photography Lighting Tips – How To Shoot Like The Pros
Although portrait photography may seem simple to most, it is actually one of the trickiest photographic skills and takes years to master. One of the flip side, because portrait photography is so posed and planned it also make it one of the easiest to practice. If you want to start a studio out of your house, here are a few helpful tips to remember before you do your first shoot.
Brighter Isn’t Better
Harsh, bright lights will definitely give you lots of illumination and make photographing your subject super simple. However, these lights are rarely flattering and should be avoided if you want natural results. The best lighting for portrait lighting is soft light. You can get this quality of light in the shade, on overcast days or by using photo umbrella reflectors in the studio. Soft, even light is easier to work with and will help compliment your subject without accenting their possible flaws.
Light Setup
Two lights should be sufficient for portrait lighting. Use one main light to determine the tone and direction of your light, then offset it with a second light placed near the camera. This will help to soften any harsh shadows and even out the strong contrast. Another great way to achieve this effect is by placing one light above the camera and one fill reflector below the camera. Both of these options will give you good quality results without special equipment.
Use What You Have
If you don’t have money to spend on a professional light setup, you can often get near-professional results by using a few desk or floor lights. If you want even more control, try using bed sheets to reflect the light around the room. Look around your house for possible lighting equipment and you may find some unique opportunities to use for your portraits.
Dont Forget the Sun
We often associate portrait photography with studio photography, but the truth is that the two are not codependent. You can get amazing results using natural light if you’re careful about how and when you use it. For example, if you have a large window in your house, you can use it as a source of natural light. If you’re taking pictures outside, use a big sheet of white posterboard (or foam board) as a reflector and point it at your subject to minimize harsh shadows.
Just like any other type of photography, portrait photography requires lots of practice, patience and a whole lot of love. Luckily, it doesn’t require a lot of professional equipment or a lot of money. Be creative with your materials and subjects and you’ll be surprised at how great the results can look displayed in a wood picture frame. Portrait lighting is all about subtlety but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a lot of fun!
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