Finding The Right Lighting
We are all in search of capturing the picture that has the perfect lighting. The type of light that just hits or subject and cast the perfect shadows, illuminates their facial features, and just leaves our viewers spellbound; asking a ton of questions of how the image was captured. Finding the right lighting can be difficult, whether the light is natural or manufactured by a strobe, speedlite, or another artifical light source, I'll tell you how to set up the lighting or your subject so that the light hits them in the most spectacular way.
This is what I'll be discussing in today's blog and answering frequently asked questions about the topic. I will be giving some of my very own inside tips and explaining my thought process as I look into the viewfinder, compose my image, and capture that stellar image!
First let's start out with natural lighting and next time we will discuss artificial lighting. The sun is a big ball of energy that can cause the subject to be glowing and radiant or look like they barely escaped from a Wes Craven horror film. Most people have the misconception that the sun is their friend. They believe that on these bright sunny days that sun will make for the perfect light. Well, my friends, this isn't true. The direct sun is powerful; too powerful, especially when high in the sky and unencumbered by any clouds. It's like a bright beaming spotlight aimed directly into your face. It's entirely too much for a single person to handle. It causes the model to squint and look away, which aren't flattering. When the sun is overhead, it causes shadows to form under the eyes and makes the subject appear as a racoon. The most important focal point in a portrait is the eyes. We want them to have an even lighting across them and be sharp. It would be best to move them into a more shaded area or wait until the sun is lower in the sky and setting. This will also cause the subject to be illuminated with a warmer, more flattering light. Photographers refer to this time of day as the "golden hour". It makes for awesome lighting and spellbound images.
The "golden hour" is approximately an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset. This light is phenomenal for phototaking. It leaves the subject with a "golden" glow and is mesmerizing to the viewer's eye.
Join us next week as we talk about studio strobes and the different lighting setups to highlight the certain aspects of your subject that you want to stand out and attract the viewer's eye.
