Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

James Bell for A2 Photography 19/10/2011

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Aim: Recognise the techniques used for portraiture image making.

Learning objectives.•Identify the advantages of using studio lighting.•Research the function of a range of lighting attachments/accessories.•Produce images using “high key” and Low Key lighting •Research relevant portrait/fashion artists.

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Why use studio lighting?

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

• What is a portrait?

•Portraits convey emotions an insight to a persons mood, identity.

•Choice of lighting will influence the viewers perception of the subjects mood.

•High Key and Low -Key lighting are typical examples of how a photographer can use lights to influence the viewers emotions/describe character/stature.

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

High Key Lighting an image with predominantly light tones.

used in beauty imageslight heartedfun

Low Key Lighting an image with predominantly dark tones.

creates a moodmysterydetailed skin texture adds character

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Pablo Picasso by Irving Penn.

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Irving Penn.

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

David Bailey.

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Rankin.

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Iggy Pop, by Annie leibovitz, Miami, Florida, 2000, Silver Print

MID KEY LIGHTING.

Lighting Techniques for PortraitureLighting attachments/accessories

TASK One Name the above lighting accessories and describe their function

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Camera @ 1/125s @ f8 - 0.5 stop

Lightmeter reading face f 8

Light meter reading wall f11 - f16

White cloth background

HIGH KEY Lighting diagram (EXAMPLE)

softbo

x

White reflector

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Camera @ 1/125s @ f8 + 0.5 stop

Lightmeter reading face f 8

Light meter reading wall f11 - f16

BLACK cloth background

LOW KEY Lighting diagram (EXAMPLE)

Black reflector(optional)

SNOOT

Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

Task 2.

• create your own low key and high key images•Set up lights with help from tutor•Produce close up images for retouching studies (PHOTOSHOP)•Down load images to computer and produce colour/black and white print-outs.•Keep records LIGHT METER AND LIGHTING DIAGRAMS of evening for sketch book/journal•Evaluate outcomes.Home work:

•research high key, low key, mid key image•plan lighting approach you will use in your project.