Step By Step Lighting For Studio Portrait Photography

Step-by-Step Lighting for Outdoor Portrait Photography by Jeff Smith Pdf

There are many aspects to professional photography: composition, camera angles, exposure, color balance, posing, and lighting— just to name a few. However, while each of these aspects of photography is important in the creation of a professional portrait, lighting presents a special challenge that is part art and part science. When the two come together effectively, the results are stunning; when any one aspect of the recipe falls short, the result is a poor exposure or a downright unflattering look. On the artistic side of the scale, lighting is one of the primary tools for setting the mood of the portrait. It can communicate a sense of bright, airy ease or sharp, dramatic tension—or anything in between. Determining what look is right for the client (and for their intended use of the resulting portraits) is a key decision. From there, the photographer can begin to use light to sculpt the subject’s features, minimizing problem areas or accentuating the subject’s best features through the selection of light modifiers and the positioning of the lights themselves. Moving to the technical side, outdoor lighting present particular challenges—but also some significant advantages. Outdoors, photographers shoot at least partially with natural light. While this is (most of the day) an abundant light source, it is largely out of the control of the photographer. The light can change from moment to moment as clouds pass between the earth and sun. It also changes continually throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. Since he can’t completely control the light, the photographer must be prepared to adapt his subject’s pose and position to create flattering results with the light as-is. Alternately, the photographer can “tweak” the lighting by augmenting the sunlight with flash or reflectors—or even softening it, using scrim or other diffusers. (Of course, this leaves another major concern: the background. Even if the light on the subject can be perfected, rarely can the photographer also control the light on an area as large as the background—making it a major concern in the process of posing and lighting.) So, given all this, why would any photographer choose to make portraits outside? One advantage is that the lighting and scenes are free—making outdoor photography a great starting point for those entering the field. Even established studios, however, have found that clients simply like the natural, timeless look of outdoor portraits. This makes them strong sellers. Additionally, most portrait subjects are more at ease in natural light than when seated in front of bright, noisy studio-flash units—and relaxed subjects translate into better expressions, and better overall portraits. In this book, Smith takes you through the process or lighting outdoor portraits from start to finish, covering both the artistic and technical aspects of achieving success. Short one- or two-page lessons are amply illustrated to guide the reader through each phase. In many cases, before and after images—or image sequences showing variations and alternative approaches—are presented to facilitate learning. Readers are encouraged to have this book with them during practice sessions and work on replicating or refining the provided examples, creating a self-study course in the art of lighting for outdoor portrait photography.

Step-by-step Lighting for Studio Portrait Photography by Jeff Smith Pdf

Documenting the process of lighting studio portraits from start to finish, Step-By-Step Lighting For Studio Portrait Photography is a handy manual that covers both the artistic and technical aspects of achieving successful, well-lit photographs. It features short lessons, which are amply illustrated to guide the reader through each phase of the lighting process. Before and after images, as well as image sequences showing variations and alternative approaches, are presented to facilitate a better understanding of the practices.

Light and Shadow by Tony Corbell Pdf

Studio lighting offers portrait photographers unlimited creative control. Mastering its use requires a specific skill set, however. Fortunately, portrait photography legend Tony Corbell is up to the task of showing readers how to harness its full power. He sets a foundation for mastering the use of strobes and continuous lighting sources (LEDs, tungsten lights, and fluorescent sources), creating effective lighting setups (with the aid of detailed, yet simple-to-understand diagrams), metering and adjusting the light, correcting color imbalances, softening harsh shadows, and more. He also introduces readers to the proper use of standard photographic modifiers -- softboxes, umbrellas, octoboxes, beauty dishes, and other tools -- so that they can sculpt their every portrait subject with incredibly flattering light. This book is filled with over 150 inspiring and instructive images from a true master of the craft. In these pages, readers will learn step-by-step instructions for mastering the many critical concepts one must understand to gain mastery over light. Armed with simple strategies for studio lighting, readers can repeatedly re-create Corbell's award-winning portrait lighting looks with their own clients.

Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques for Digital Portrait Photographers by Norman Phillips Pdf

Portraiture tends to rely on standardized, established lighting techniques, but most photographers know that subscribing to traditional methods does not always flatter every subject. The techniques collected in this guide will heighten the senses of mystery and drama in a digital photographer's work by enhancing shape and contrast, keeping images fashionable and appealing with less reliance on natural light, and illuminating a subject's eyes without producing catchlights. In this manner, textbook lighting setups can act as a springboard to creating personal and artistic high-quality portraits featuring new, radically-altered lighting effects. Multiple series of before-and-after photos comprehensively illustrate how to utilize these new methods to create emotion-evoking works of art that do more than simply capture the likeness of a subject

Portrait Lighting for Digital Photographers by Stephen Dantzig Pdf

The fundamentals of exposure and the essentials of lighting are explored in this photography reference that uses progressive images from portrait sessions as its basis of explanation. Starting with how light is perceived differently by the camera than the human eye, this resource clarifies the more complicated laws that govern light, breaking the rules down with clear, effective examples. Various light sources are investigated—from simple sunlight to advanced professional and studio systems—as well as the types of lighting units used at different times during the sessions. By adding or modifying one light at a time, a sequence of images shows how the desired effect was achieved, offering photographers step-by-step troubleshooting tips. Concise text paired with photo examples offer any portrait photographer the techniques needed to create perfectly lit images.

Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers by Anonim Pdf

Light, vibrant and malleable, is the greatest tool at the disposal of portrait photographers. In this acclaimed book—with over 50,000 copies in print—Christopher Grey walks you through studio portrait lighting from start to finish. Dozens of image sequences and before/after pairings show you precisely how each change of light position and modifier affects the look of the lighting on the subject. From classic portrait lighting patterns to unexpected but powerful looks, Grey teaches you everything you need to know to control light effectively. Armed with these powerful skills, you’ll be able to create portraits that are more flattering, more marketable, and more creative.

The Dramatic Portrait by Chris Knight Pdf

Without light, there is no photograph. As almost every photographer knows, the word “photograph” has its roots in two Greek words that, together, mean “drawing with light.” But what is less commonly acknowledged and understood is the role that shadow plays in creating striking, expressive imagery, especially in portraiture. It is through deft, nuanced use of both light and shadow that you can move beyond shooting simply ordinary, competent headshots into the realm of creating dramatic portraiture that can so powerfully convey a subject’s inner essence, communicate a personal narrative, and express your photographic vision.

In The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow, Chris Knight addresses portraiture with a unique approach to both light and shadow that allows you to improve and elevate your own portraiture. He begins with the history of portraiture, from the early work of Egyptians and Greeks to the sublime treatment of light and subject by artists such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Chris then dives into a deep, hands-on exploration of light, shadow, and portraiture, offering numerous lessons and takeaways. He covers:

• The qualities of light: hard, soft, and the spectrum in between

• The relationships between light, subject, and background, and how to control them

• Lighting patterns such as Paramount, Rembrandt, loop, and split

• Lighting ratios and how they affect contrast in your image

• Equipment: from big and small modifiers to grids, snoots, barn doors, flags, and gels

• Multiple setups for portrait shoots, including those that utilize one, two, and three lights

• How color contributes to drama and mood, eliciting an emotional response from the viewer

• How to approach styling your portrait, from wardrobe to background

• The post-processing workflow, including developing the RAW file, maximizing contrast, color grading, retouching, and dodging and burning for heightened drama and effect

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• How all of these elements culminate to help you define your personal style and create your own narrative

Mastering Portrait Photography by P. Wilkinson,Sarah Plater Pdf

Photographic portraits should not be the formal, corporate-style poses of yesteryear, which reveal nothing of the subject's emotion, personality or mood - so believe Sarah Plater and Paul Wilkindon. Theirs is a modern, fresh and vibrant approach that aims to capture a moment in the lifestyle of the person or persons in the picture. This authoritative guide contains clear, concise and jargon-busting text that discusses the essential technical aspects of photography from choosing a camera and equipment to an appreciation of exposure, aperture, metering, shutter speed, depth of field and white balance settings, in addition to how natural light, colour and movement affect a photograph. A guide to posing helps to ensure dynamic and arresting images

The Portrait Photography Course by Mark Jenkinson Pdf

The ability to create an effective portrait is probably the single most important skill any aspiring photographer must master. Few professional photographers, whatever their area of specialization, can hope to have a successful career without ever being called upon to create a likeness of another person. The Portrait Photography Course is designed to build a student photographer's experience and get him or her started on a rewarding career. Detailed tutorials cover every aspect of studio and location work, from composition and psychology to complex lighting schemes, equipment options, and digital retouching. Portfolios of exemplary images showcase individual photographers' work and demonstrate techniques explored in the tutorials, while interviews with top portrait photographers shed insight into their methodologies and philosophies. Presented and written by a leading portrait photographer, this book is an indispensable guide to taking professional pictures.¿

STUDIO by Andreas Bübl Pdf

Studio lighting and portraits made easy! Lighting and shooting successful studio portraits can be a frustrating challenge for any photographer, but with STUDIO by your side, you’ve got what you need in order to successfully light and photograph a huge variety of successful studio portraits! In this book, photographer Andreas Bübl first walks you through the basics of studio lighting and portraiture. You’ll learn all about studio flashes, light shapers, reflectors, and how to use accessories such as color gels, wind machines, flashlights, and more. The author then works through well over 100 portrait shoots that cover a large variety of styles: classic studio portraits, executive/business headshots, beauty, glamour and fashion, character portraits, family and couples, action, and more. For each portrait shoot, the author includes a lighting diagram, step-by-step instructions, and behind-the-scenes images to help you nail the shot. Simply look up a picture idea and then recreate the setup and shooting instructions, or read through the book for tons of inspiring portrait ideas. Table of Contents Chapter 1: The Fundamentals of Studio Portrait Photography Chapter 2: The Classic Studio Portrait Chapter 3: The Beauty Portrait Chapter 4: Glamour, Fashion, and Lifestyle Chapter 5: Character Portrait Chapter 6: Couples and Groups Chapter 7: Children and Family Chapter 8: Movement and Action

Basic Studio Lighting by Tony L. Corbell Pdf

As every photographer quickly learns, there’s more to studio lighting than simply learning the equipment. InBasic Studio Lighting, an expert photographer and renowned photography teacher provides nuts-and-bolts guidance for mastering the complexities of one of the most important aspects of making a photograph: proper lighting. Readers will discover surefire tactics for using equipment properly and innovative ways of utilizing color and light to create fabulous effects, as well as getting hands-on practice with exposures, accent lighting, backgrounds, set-ups, and dozens of other studio techniques. Plus, dozens of outstanding color photographs illustrate each technique step by step. Perfect for aspiring photographers and students as well as veterans,Basic Studio Lightingprovides all the theory and practical techniques needed to create professional photos that make an impact. • Hundreds of proven tips and techniques from an expert in the field • A hot topic for every photographer • Over 150 outstanding photos with step-by-step instructions make mastering these techniques easy

50 Portrait Lighting Techniques for Pictures that Sell by John Patrick Hart Pdf

For pictures that sell, how to get started in business as a portrait photographer.

Photograph the Face by Anonim Pdf

The most essential factor in creating a successful, salable portrait is properly lighting the face. But, every face is different, and, each face type requires a different style of lighting. It is imperative that the photographer realizes this. From the subjects’ complexion and facial size, to their clothing, hair color and setting, there are many aspects to consider when lighting a client. The photographer must also take into consideration what type of product the client wants: senior portrait, bridal portrait, glamour or professional. Each one of these requires something different. Properly and efficiently addressing all of these factors will set you and your business apart from the competition. In this book, Smith focuses on teaching photographers how to conceptualize and produce portraits that will please the client. He emphasizes that he is not creating his own artistic vision, but that he is crafting what the client wants. That is not to say the results aren’t artful and creative. Both of those things are very important, as Smith shows, but the main goal as a successful professional photographer is to create portraits that the subject wants to buy. Smith advises photographers to be aware of a subject’s self-image when creating the portrait, being sure not to light them in a manner that is unflattering or distorted. Success in creating salable portraits relies as much on understanding people and the way our self image functions as it does understanding the proper techniques of lighting. First, Smith discusses the differences between face types and what to be aware of when setting up the lighting for each. Proper metering and placement of light source are essential to controlling your highlights, your shadowing and the transition area in between. Establishing a system for modifying your lighting setup for each subject is emphasized. The concept of Camera Sight, or visualizing the finished photo ahead of time to look for potential problem areas, is very important. As Smith admits, this skill comes with experience. Where he once had to take many test shots to pick out these issues, he is now able to able to see them before he shoots a single frame. This is a skill that develops over time with training and practice. The author then explains the differences between shooting in a studio and shooting on location, both indoors and outdoors. Different equipment is required for each scenario, but the equipment used for shooting outdoors can even differ depending on the time of day. While the most ideal natural light occurs just after sunrise or just before sunset, most customers do not want to have their portraits taken at 5am or late in the day. So, the photographer needs to be prepared to shoot in the harsh midday sun. In addition to lighting the face, the photographer must find usable light to illuminate the background properly. Smith details the lighting system he uses for outdoor portraiture and presents it in the context of his shooting experiences. While studio shoots provide greater levels of comfort and consistency compared to a location shoot, there are still many things required to get that perfect shot. Properly applying fill, accent light and shadowing are just as important in the studio as they are on location. Understanding the concepts of traditional lighting allows the photographer to consistently create studio portraits that will please any customer. The most important part of the face to light properly is the eyes. Smith explains in detail what factors a successful photographer must consider to get the final portrait every client wants. Whether it is a difference in the size of the client’s eyes or ears, asymmetrical lips, or a crooked nose, there are ways to light these to correct the differences. Using artistry and creative vision to adapt from the comfort of studio shoots to the complicated and diverse demands of location shoots, Smith provides the reader with the tools to capture what the client wants every time.

The Digital Photography Book, Part 5 by Scott Kelby Pdf

Scott Kelby, author of the top-selling digital photography book of all time, is back with an entirely new book in his popular series that picks up right where part 4 left off. It’s more of that “Ah ha—so that’s how they do it,” straight-to-the-point, skip-the-technojargon stuff you can really use today that made part 1 so successful. In parts 1 through 4 of this series, the most popular chapter in the book has always been the last chapter: “Photo Recipes to Help You Get ‘The Shot’.” In each of those chapters, Scott shows a final image and then describes how to get that type of shot. Here, in part 5, he gives you what you’ve been waiting for: an entire book of nothing but those amazing photo recipes. But, he took it up a big notch by adding a behind-the-scenes photo for every single recipe. Now you can see exactly how it was done, so you can get that exact same look every time. In these extra pages, each spread allows you to dig in a little deeper and really unlock the power of these recipes. Scott breaks each spread into four segments: (1) he explains exactly what you’re seeing behind the scenes, (2) he lists all of his camera settings, and lens and lighting info—it’s all there, (3) he gives you his thought process, so you learn exactly why he does it this way, and (4) he shares all the post-processing in Lightroom or Photoshop that goes on after the shoot (this is something other books leave out). Plus, the whole book is packed with tips and insights you won’t find anywhere else. This isn’t a book of theory, full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which settings to use, and exactly how and when to use them. With around 100 of the most popular photographic “tricks of the trade,” the entire book is designed to get you shooting like a pro starting today. You’re gonna love it.

Essential Elements of Portrait Photography by Bill Israelson Pdf

Most photographers love photographing people—but they will also readily admit that there are a lot of challenges to making great portraits. In this book, professional portrait photographer Bill Israelson explores the skills that lie at the heart of a successful approach to portrait photography. First, he helps you set your overall objectives for the image and your depiction of the subject, which will determine the equipment you’ll need. Then, he lays out a simple six-step process designed to help you achieve your objectives(from location selection through lighting and posing) and create a great-looking portrait of any subject in any situation. Delving further into the process, he presents individual chapters dedicated to meeting the unique challenges of creating portraits outdoors, in the studio, and at indoor locations. Concluding with tips for editing your images, Israelson charts a simple course to more appealing, more flattering portraits!