We see a stunning portrait photo and we think why my work doesn't look like that! We then spend a lot
of money to buy the latest model of camera, an expensive professional lens and so on. But still it just
donen't work! Why....
The best pros and amateurs alike all understand something about photography lighting techniques that
many of us never really "get!". What makes a portrait look amazingly real and pop off the page isn't
just the light. It's the shadows. You must realize the fact Shadow define form.
When talking to portrait photography lighting, people may usually not pay enough attention to the
shadow. Most of us tend to over light our photos and thereby get rid of the shadow.
Yes we can see everything clearly, but it tends to be flat and lifeless. It's not until we make some
shadow that our photos takes on a three-dimensional feeling and look like a real life person.
I saw some very helpful photography lighting techinisques which I would like to share with you as below:
First: Get yourself a subject. Use a friend, relative or just hire the kid next door.
Second: Sit them on a chair in a room that can be darkened. With all the lights on, look at them. Study
their face. See how it looks? Now turn off the lights and make it completely dark.
Third: Take a flashlight (an actual flashlight, not some studio light) and have someone hold it at about 45
degrees to the side and above your subject. See how the light let's us see our model's face? (At least
we can see one side of it, but it's really the shadow that defines the shape!)
Fourth: Now use a reflector of some sort - it could be a piece of white paper or cloth - and have
someone hold it on the opposite side of the face from the light.
Move it closer and further away. See how the shadow changes? Study it, take notes. It is here - in the
way we record the shadows - that separates the pros from the wannabes.
Do some pratice like this. You will learn more about photography lighting techniques and how to
introduce shadow in your photos. Over time your photos will be changed.