Have you heard the term candela? It has to do with light that is part of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that the human eye can see. So what does candela have to do with jewelry photography? Well, everyone knows that photography is a form of art made possible by light. Without light, there is […]
Tired of seeing black eye sockets and whitened out faces in that last series of snaps you took at the family outing? It’s easy to get a much better result if you just look at the light. No light, no picture. But what counts is the light quality and direction. And the good part is […]
There are basically two kinds of lighting to consider for portraiture: natural and artificial. Considering the pros and cons, as well as requirements for different situations, will help you decide which kind to use. Natural lighting, whether used outdoors or indoors through a window, is perhaps the easiest for beginners. Simply take your subject outside during the last couple of hours before sunset for a stunning quality that is unmatched by that of strobes. Or if you are inside, put your subject near a window during mid-morning. You’d be amazed at the beautiful results you can achieve using only natural light.
There are 4 main lighting techniques you can use in the field; these are ambient dominant, flash dominant, balanced flash and fill flash. Flash photography is essential to learn if you take photos in outdoor environments, particularly if you photograph people. The existing lighting is never perfect so you have to modify it to suit your requirements. Here are 4 essential basics to help you get more out of your flash.
Natural light sources like the sun and the moon are considered the best light sources. These lights often invade indoors and make natural shots come alive. Men have created artificial lights like the ordinary bulb, the tungsten halogen lamp or the bright photo-flood.
Lighting is one of the most important factors in taking photographs of natural subjects. Unlike with studio shots where you control the lights and the shadows, taking photos outside is a little bit more complicated. In addition to not being able to control your subject, you also have to take into consideration the elements especially the lighting.
Contrary to popular belief stunning photographs can be taken when shooting into the light. Whilst this may contradict advice given to beginners to always shoot with the light coming from behind the camera.
Whether you’re a photography newbie or you’ve been around the block a few times, it doesn’t take long to learn that properly lighting a portrait subject can make a huge difference in the quality of the finished portrait.
Proper lighting is all about balancing your surroundings with your intent. All it takes is a little know-how, ingenuity, and patience to take great pictures with lighting that showcases your subject and enhances the mood.
The photographer’s first task is to evaluate the facial features and decide which ones to emphasize and which ones to minimize. Long noses look best from a low angle for instance, and double chins respond well to a high camera angle, but this article will be aimed at the effects of lighting on the human face.
