PHOTOGRAPHY--PORTRAIT LIGHTING

THIS is a little bit difficult of all lightings. here u have to manage, whereas in other subjects, u have the 'ready' lighting. ur subject/client/model are more important and u have to take out the 'real' out of their personality. so u need a master's eye. this may be the difference between an average photographer and a professional photographer. here u are in full control of the 'situation', whether u shoot head, head & shoulder, bust, upto waist, knee or full length. therefore, before the client arrives, u have to keep everything 'ready' i.e. cameras, backdrops, lights and props, if possible, with an assistant, who may help in setting lights, changing backdrops, while u study the mood of the person(s), may be single, couple, child, old man/woman, or a model for portfolio. in this case, u have to allot a different time to shoot the model without any disturbance, because his/her portfolio is the first step in the world to follow.
YOU shd make the client to be at ease, all smiles, all emotions 'required'. this will help u getting to know from child to adults, and making notes in ur mind, which side of the face will be more photogenic. next ur lighting setup will be on this base. place ur main or key light in such a way that the angular half of the face is lighted, while the other half is partly in shadow. such type of lighting and shading will give a fuller and slimmer look. while shooting this ur full attention is on the person/s, rather than fiddling more with lighting equipments. read the shadow portion with photo meter to understand the ratio in comparison to the lighted portion e.g. 1/2, 1/4,and arrange lighting distance according to that, using fill-in by thermocol board. this part u can leave to ur assistant, only give hints and be ready to press the shutter release, as u composed this also in camera LCD. however, u have a second light and a light for hairs. use them if necessary. but i wud recommend to keep the hair light also ready so there is no mix up of the subject with the BG. or u can use light, in a circular tone on the BG so the subject look more independent (pose-waist-level and above)......(continue...how to use this and other lighting for ur advantage.....(gshroti@in.com)...

PHOTOGRAPHY--STUDIO LIGHTING

STUDIO LIGHTING: Studio flashes were generally used to be utilised for taking passport photographs or sometimes for a family portraits.....these photographs were not of the standard one and had very simple poses, either a tight closeup, a full length portrait or a family group photograph. .......while shooting in the studio needs to fulfill a certain criteria and that is to portray the person in best light.....however with the fashion boom in the country, people have been demanding for more out of these photographs.
Every individual needs passport size photo sometime or manytimes for use in documents....these need full lighting, showing full face in light bringing out full features to their best with a plain background.
Get the person well seated in a comfortable stool/chair. place the main light with umbrella/soft box in front of the subject slightly higher to eye level and a reflector of thermocol in front of him at chest level below ur tripod, or closure to subject with some support to throw back the light on his face, particularly to avoid dark shadows under his chin......a second light can be used to background lighting, if required.
After passport photographs, people's common choice next is a full length photo, family or group photographs. these.... are special occasions for the individual, the couple or the family who will preserve these photographs as permanent memories. ......HERE the photographer has to light up the person, couple or family well enough so as to prevent useless shadows to creep into the frame. ......a minimum of two flash units one on each side of the subject wud suffice. ....and both lights shd be placed at eye level of the tallest person in the group.
Once, he does mastery in such sort of photos and customer satisfied, he can move further for GLAMOUR portfolios, which requires some different kinds of lighting and here experimenting will teach a lot how to play with light on the models (gals or guys).......to continue.......(gshroti@in.com).