Weds 12th Sept I gave a talk to Loughton camera club on studio lighting for portraiture.
Here are the images from the night with a brief reminder on what we were trying to achieve and the thought process behind the different styles.
The following three shots show how to blend 1/2 lights for different moods. The first is with a single light producing quite defined shadows, note the catch light in the eye as the light is set just above the subjects eye line. The second shot has a second light (fill) added at the same power as the 1st light (main). The effect is now much softer. The last shot has the power of the fill light reduced to create a nice balance between shadows and highlights. I would use this type of lighting on most subjects, but we can see how easy it is to make the light softer or harder, thus creating different moods or feelings. We can then decide what style best suits our subject.
The next shot is again shot using a single light but moved in closer and a little more round to the side to create a split light look. We can also add a reflector if we are tight on space to do the same job as a fill light and soften the shadows.
The next three shots demonstrate that if space is tight and you can not move your light/s around move your subject. Three shots, three different head positions and three different effects. Again using a reflector you can soften the look to create a different look and feel again.
I always think the best thing to do is just experiment and see what happens, there are rules but they are there to be broken and at the end of the day it is all down to personal taste as to what you think works.
Hopefully this helps to make you appreciate that studio lighting and shooting portraits does not need loads of expensive lights and equipment. The kit I used can be picked up on Ebay for £150.
If you enjoyed the demo and would like to now more book to come along to the next studio day I am doing, details at https://richardclarketraining.wordpress.com/courses-2/lighting-and-posing-masterclass/
Richard Clarke Training 