Studio Lighting

[Mrnick]

Would like to have any comments on these shots, first serious attempts having just had some tuition
Thanks in advance


Nick Hawkes - Photographer - Romania, portraits, images

[Unkl Buck]

I personally like to see some light in the eyes. Your main is too high. I don't see any light in the eyes. Move it down so you can see the reflection. Plus, it will also sculpt the face and give it more dimension.

[Unkl Buck]

I might add too that most of these images are broad lighting. Not the best for women. Learn short lighting and you most women will like those images better.

[richardpcrowe]

Of course we all know the basic differences between genders. The differences between portraits is that I try to get a sense of character in men and avoid it in women!

The difference between a portrait and a snapshot is that a portrait is thought-out and made... A snapshot is just snapped and hoped that it comes out O.K (and usuallu IMO doesn't)

I try to make my female portraits look good. Women like to look pretty in their pictures. I don't know of any woman who would like to have the "character traits" of her face (lines, wrinkles and other flaws etc.) stand out. I shoot my portraits to please the people I shoot not to do a photojournalistic recording.

Even my 88 year old mother-in-law doesn't like a picture if it shows what she really looks like. She likes a picture that shows what she would "like to look like"!

I generally like butterfly or paramount lighting for females except for females who have a broad or very flat face, then a shorter lighting ratio might be the ticket.

I like using diffused lighting - either umbrellas or a softbox.

A bit of image diffusion is also great - either using a diffusing filter over the lens or doing the softening in Photoshop. When and if you do the softening in Photoshop - ensure that the eyes, eyebrows and lips remain relatively sharp.

It is wonderful to shoot portraits of a female who knows how to apply make-up! Often a bit heavier make-up than for normal street use is the ticket.

Here is one of my most important portrait accessories:

FACIAL TISSUE OR KLEENEX... Always have some available and use them often to reduce the oily glare from skin surfaces.... It is remarkable how much post processing can be avoided if you swab the oil off a face.

Now for facial problems applicable to males and females alike:

FACIAL ISSUES - portrait corrections

Blemishes or Scars

• Shadow problem areas
• reposition

Chin , Double

• Raise the main light
• Tilt chin upward
• Use a high camera position
• Stretch neck
• Lean head toward camera

Ears , Large

• 3/4 pose
• Only show one ear
• Shadow second ear

EYES, Blinking

• Time shot after subject blinks

Eyes, Deep set

• Light into eyes
• Lower Main Light
• Lower light ratio

Eyes, Different sized

• Largest eye close to camera, other in shadow
• Largest eye away creates evening effect

Eyes, Eye Glass Wearers

• Shoot with empty frames
• Position glasses away from lights
• Bring lights in from very high, or bounce off ceiling
• Use small light source

Eyes, Protruding

• Have subject look downward

FACE, BAD COMPLEXION – FEMALE

• Proper make up can cover some problems
• Diffuse image

Face, Broad, Round or fat

• Raise the camera position
• Use short lighting
• Turn the face at a 3/4 position

Face, Narrow

• Lower the main light
• Use broad lighting.

FACE, THIN

• Pose model facing the camera

Face, Wrinkled

• Use diffused frontal lighting
• Lower the main light
• Use a 3/4 pose.

Face, Defects

• Scars/birthmarks keep hidden on the shadowed side of face
• reposition

Forehead, Prominent

• Tilt chin upward
• Lower camera position.

Hair, Baldness or sparceness in women

• Lower camera position
• Blend the top of the head with the background.

Hair, Dark

• Check to make sure that background doesn't merge with hair
• Restyle if necessary.

Heavyset Figure-

• Use short lighting, use low key lighting,
• Dark clothing
• Blend body with background tone.

Jaw, Square

• 3/4 pose, higher camera angle

Narrow Chin

• Tilt chin upward.

Nose, angular

• Minimize feature by turning the face directly toward the lens.

Nose, big

• Raise chin slightly
• Pose nose straight into lens

Nose, long

• Tilt chin upward, position face directly toward lens
• lower the main light
• lower camera position.

Nose, small

• Pose nose at an angle to camera

WEBSITES:

http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/index.html
http://www.dg28.com/technique.html
http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/index.htm
http://www.bron.ch/vt_pd_lg_sc_en/index.php
http://www.garageglamour.com/tips/tipsmain.php
http://www.photoworkshop.com/cgi-bin/short_free_registration.cgi
http://www.headshot-photography.com/portfolio.htm
http://www.studiolighting.net/

[Mrnick]

Thanks for the comments, these seem to be more flattering and have a bit more punch what do you say?

[highbarger]

Yes, these are much better, IMO. Nice lighting on the last two.

[Mark McCall]

MUCH better.
But I think we have the head turned a little too much, though.
Avoid having your subject look out of the corner of the eye.