Kids and Family Technical Challenge #1 - One Light

[Athena]

Tom and I thought it might be a nice time for us to have a technical challenge. We’re going to start out with something very simple, but fundamental to good portraiture, The One Light Portrait.

Different people have different ideas about what is allowed in a Single Light Portrait, but for our purposes it will be one primary light source (a single window, an off camera flash or studio strobe, a household lamp or a shop light, ect...), and if you like, also a reflector on the opposite side of the subject (the reflector is what some people oppose, saying it is a second light).

For some of you this challenge will be old school. It’s probably how you first learned controlled lighting in portraiture way back when. For some of you the idea of controlling the light in your child photos is completely novel, slightly daunting, but hopefully exciting.

We have a wide range of skill sets and abilities here, but trust me, this is a challenge that everyone can manage and grow from. The old timers get to remember what it’s like to do things the simple way and the new comers get to see how rewarding it is to be in control of the lighting in your images, even if it’s just sunlight coming through a window.

Our recommended simple setup:
Place your light source at a 45 degree angle. If your light source is a window, of course this means placing yourself and your subject rather than the window. Place a reflector on the other side of your subject to bounce some light back into that side and “open up” the shadows.

Required: We'd like to you to tell us about your lighting when you post your entry. It doesn't have to be overly technical or include a lighting chart (but we love those too!), just let us know what you did and how you feel about the results.


Ok, now it’s time for you to get out there and try this out. We’re looking forward to seeing your results and comments!

~Athena and Tom

[Athena]

Here's an old example from me of using a window as my single light. No other lighting was used in this image.



I'm glad I had to go digging around (and it was difficult, I seem to have at least two lights in most images these days) for this because it's reminded me of how lovely window light can be.

This was a very big window in my bedroom in Malaysia - 2009. The window was covered with a sheer curtain which diffused the light nicely.

[transcape5]

Very cool, Athena. That window light is awesome and your model is quite handsome!

[Athena]

Yeah, just so you don't think he's too precious, this was from the same shoot...



These shots were actually test shots back when I first got my 5dmk2. I wanted to see how it would handle low light.

[0ldsch00ld0g]

Ok. This is some from my very first and only 1 light setup 2 weeks ago. Shop light and a big white sheet with a big black sheet for a background. Little bit of PS to sharpen an eye. But more or less as shot. Color looks a bit off. No time for correcting right now. No time for posting, but hey gota have some fun C&C ok

#1

Mat hand up by 0ldsch00ld0g, on Flickr

#2

Matthew toothless by 0ldsch00ld0g, on Flickr

[transcape5]

Originally Posted by Athena

Yeah, just so you don't think he's too precious, this was from the same shoot...



These shots were actually test shots back when I first got my 5dmk2. I wanted to see how it would handle low light.

This is just too funny.

[transcape5]

Originally Posted by 0ldsch00ld0g

Ok. This is some from my very first and only 1 light setup 2 weeks ago. Shop light and a big white sheet with a big black sheet for a background. Little bit of PS to sharpen an eye. But more or less as shot. Color looks a bit off. No time for correcting right now. No time for posting, but hey gota have some fun C&C ok

So cool that you slacked off whatever you're suppose to be doing and post these very nice entries! I like how he's signaling "1 light"....or was that for "1 shot only!"? lol
I like the first one a lot despite the bit of softness. His nose is pointed toward the light and allows it to wrap over to the left side of his face and lessens the shadow on that side. In #2 he's square to the camera and his hair is lost in the shadow without the fill. In this case a reflector would definitely help. Great toothless smile!

Thanks for jumping right in!

[transcape5]

I often use natural light so I have (some good and plenty of bad) examples of the one light source. I dug up this shot since it's one of the first photos I posted on Camel. Good grief it's been 3 years already!

[0ldsch00ld0g]

Originally Posted by transcape5

So cool that you slacked off whatever you're suppose to be doing and post these very nice entries! I like how he's signaling "1 light"....or was that for "1 shot only!"? lol
I like the first one a lot despite the bit of softness. His nose is pointed toward the light and allows it to wrap over to the left side of his face and lessens the shadow on that side. In #2 he's square to the camera and his hair is lost in the shadow without the fill. In this case a reflector would definitely help. Great toothless smile!

Thanks for jumping right in!

I will have to get a reflector. His hair dose disappear into the background. Thanks for looking and comments.

Originally Posted by transcape5

I often use natural light so I have (some good and plenty of bad) examples of the one light source. I dug up this shot since it's one of the first photos I posted on Camel. Good grief it's been 3 years already!

This is a good one.
She is so sweet and innocent looking. Nice shot.

[Athena]

Originally Posted by 0ldsch00ld0g

Ok. This is some from my very first and only 1 light setup 2 weeks ago. Shop light and a big white sheet with a big black sheet for a background. Little bit of PS to sharpen an eye. But more or less as shot. Color looks a bit off. No time for correcting right now. No time for posting, but hey gota have some fun C&C ok

These are both adorable! I love that toothless grin. I just stumbled on photos of my two missing their front teeth last week. Oh the memories.

What are you using to hold your white sheet up?