3 Killer tips for photographers wanting better results, Lighting
If you are anything like me when I started out in photography there was so much to learn and I felt it was all so complicated. Well if I told you that you could learn some really quite advanced techniques, quickly easily and without having to wade through those long and boring manuals would you be interested. I thought so.
Well I have written a series of short quick guides for you to follow and take a massive leap into better photography and maybe even selling your photographs for profit in the future.
Lighting Sources.
There are two different types of lighting, natural and artificial. Having said this there is without a doubt a middle ground and knowing when to use it for amazing benefits.
I remember when I first started out as a photographer I did not have the understanding that light was the tool to craft an image with and it was the tool I really did not use enough. I am sure if you are just starting out you are discovering that light can be as much a blessing as a curse in photography.
Artificial light, Flash. I have shot many portraits in the studio and for as long as I can remember the rule has been for the majority of the time, keep it simple. A basic set up could be one light on full power and another on half power, both of them shooting through some kind of diffuser to soften the light falling on the subject. I like to work in a dark studio so I can use the modelling lights on the flash heads to show me how the image will come out. I do also like to use a light on the back of a persons head because it will give a rim/hair light and define the subject off the background.
In recent years the white background has become very popular and I often use a shoot through background. The tip for getting this right and giving a perfect white background is to set the light off the background to be exposing at 2 stops over the subject. Any more the light will flare any less and it could look muddy.
Natural light, Outside. Many people like to photograph outside when doing portraits, however the biggest mistake they make is that they do not use a reflector, the use of a white, silver or gold surface to reflect natural light into the right places is key to a successful natural light portrait. I say this because the main source of light outside is from above and this has the effect of darkening the eyes of a subject. Therefore to reflect this light back into the eyes transforms the quality of the image.
I also have a diffuser on hand for the odd occasions that I can’t shoot in a shady place. Shooting in shady locations is great because the light is softer. A diffuser can give a lovely glow from a sun for example without the harsh shadow related to shooting with direct sunlight.
Mixed Light Sources. This is my favourite form of quick effective and professional looking photography of people especially. It is taking the natural light that is available for a great environmental looking shot. Then adding a little extra flash. It is like adding seasoning to a great dish and making it exceptional. The technical term for this is fill in flash and it needs to used very gently so that people can’t see you have used it. I would usually shoot at 2 stops less than a metered reading on a bright day and 3 stops less on a cloudy day or in a shady area.
The advantage of using a little flash is you get the light straight into the eyes where you want it but you can also use the soft and warm natural light around to create a master piece.
Using light gently and respectfully is a key to realising a great photograph and a profitable one. Keep the light soft and flattering and your potential clients and future ones will love you, recommend and return to you for more. You could get complicated but the best lighting is simple and then leaves the energy to be put into something more profitable, your creativity.
To download free images to go with this article please visit [http://www.takingbetterphotographs.co.uk]
If you are anything like me when I started out in photography there was so much to learn and I felt it was all so complicated. Well if I told you that you could learn some really quite advanced techniques, quickly easily and without having to wade through those long and boring manuals would you be interested. I thought so.
Well I have written a series of short quick guides for you to follow and take a massive leap into better photography and maybe even selling your photographs for profit in the future.
Lighting Sources.
There are two different types of lighting, natural and artificial. Having said this there is without a doubt a middle ground and knowing when to use it for amazing benefits.
I remember when I first started out as a photographer I did not have the understanding that light was the tool to craft an image with and it was the tool I really did not use enough. I am sure if you are just starting out you are discovering that light can be as much a blessing as a curse in photography.
Artificial light, Flash. I have shot many portraits in the studio and for as long as I can remember the rule has been for the majority of the time, keep it simple. A basic set up could be one light on full power and another on half power, both of them shooting through some kind of diffuser to soften the light falling on the subject. I like to work in a dark studio so I can use the modelling lights on the flash heads to show me how the image will come out. I do also like to use a light on the back of a persons head because it will give a rim/hair light and define the subject off the background.
In recent years the white background has become very popular and I often use a shoot through background. The tip for getting this right and giving a perfect white background is to set the light off the background to be exposing at 2 stops over the subject. Any more the light will flare any less and it could look muddy.
Natural light, Outside. Many people like to photograph outside when doing portraits, however the biggest mistake they make is that they do not use a reflector, the use of a white, silver or gold surface to reflect natural light into the right places is key to a successful natural light portrait. I say this because the main source of light outside is from above and this has the effect of darkening the eyes of a subject. Therefore to reflect this light back into the eyes transforms the quality of the image.
I also have a diffuser on hand for the odd occasions that I can’t shoot in a shady place. Shooting in shady locations is great because the light is softer. A diffuser can give a lovely glow from a sun for example without the harsh shadow related to shooting with direct sunlight.
Mixed Light Sources. This is my favourite form of quick effective and professional looking photography of people especially. It is taking the natural light that is available for a great environmental looking shot. Then adding a little extra flash. It is like adding seasoning to a great dish and making it exceptional. The technical term for this is fill in flash and it needs to used very gently so that people can’t see you have used it. I would usually shoot at 2 stops less than a metered reading on a bright day and 3 stops less on a cloudy day or in a shady area.
The advantage of using a little flash is you get the light straight into the eyes where you want it but you can also use the soft and warm natural light around to create a master piece.
Using light gently and respectfully is a key to realising a great photograph and a profitable one. Keep the light soft and flattering and your potential clients and future ones will love you, recommend and return to you for more. You could get complicated but the best lighting is simple and then leaves the energy to be put into something more profitable, your creativity.
To download free images to go with this article please visit [http://www.takingbetterphotographs.co.uk]
SHARE
