portrait lighting - minneapolis college of art and design · portrait lighting and edit demo tom...

Portrait Lighting and Edit Demo

Tom Bierlein

Tom BierleinStudio Photography | Photojournalistic Photography | Sculpture

Work by Kurt Austin

Work by Kurt Austin

Work by Kurt Austin

Work by Kurt Austin

Work by Brendan Barret

Work by Brendan Barret

Portrait Lighting

Example

The Goods

● Canon Mark III

● Canon 24-105mm

● Dynalite Kit

● Light Stands

● Softbox (3)

● Pocket Wizard

● Paper Roll

● Roll Stand

Camera Settings

Camera RawISO: 100Shutter Speed: 1/160Aperture: f/9

Example

Backlight Only Fill Light Only Key Light Only

Portrait Edit

Step 1

Use Raw Editor in Photoshop to adjust for Exposure, Contrast, Color

Step 2

In photoshop make sure your adjustment window is on

Exposure

Create a new “levels” layer

Bring the sliders to the edges of the histogram

Contrast

Create a new “curves” layer

Select the two points on the crosses

Create S curve, bringing the lower point down and the higher point up

Color

Create new “curves” layer

Change layer mode to color

Select RGB menu and go into individual color layers

Color

Adjust each color individually

Copy Background

Make 2 copies of the Background Layer

Name the first one Color - Blur

Name the second one texture

Color Layer

Turn off texture layer for now

Create Gaussian Blur on Color Layer

Color Layer

Create just enough blur to make the eyebrow blend into a single shape

Texture Layer

Turn on texture layer

Go to the Image menu, select Apply Image

Texture Layer

Make sure your Apply Image menu looks the same as the example to the right.

The image should look like there is a grey filter on it

Turn layer type into “Linear Light” and the image will return to normal

Editing using the Color and Texture Layers

When editing on the texture layer, use the healing brush tool to get rid of any blemishes or other marks

When editing on the color layer, use the clone stamp tool to get rid of redness of skin when necessary

Texture

Color

Editing using the Color and Texture Layers

Before After

Lighten/Darken Layers

Create 2 new “curves” layers

Name one “Lighten” and one “Darken

Pull the curve to exaggerate each one

Lighten/Darken Layers

Select the layer mask and press Command/Control I

This will inverse the layer mask and make it black

Lighten/Darken Layers

On the lighten layer, use the brush tool in a T shape across the model’s face to lighten

Make sure to use an opacity of 0%

Brush Tool Path Example

Lighten/Darken Layers

On the darken layer, use the brush tool to darken places such as the side of the nose, jaw line, and sides of forehead

Make sure to use an opacity of 0%

Brush Tool Path Example

Before After

Q&A

Resources

ContactTom Bierlein

tbierlein@mcad.edu

MCAD Admissions

admissions@mcad.edu