*** From the Archives ***

This article is from March 2, 2009, and is no longer current.

Photography Tutorial: Get the Right Light

Return to page 1 of this article.
There’s nothing tricky to using a reflector. Think of it like a billiard shot: Imagine a line coming from the sun and bouncing off the reflector onto your subject.
As you move the reflector, you should see more or less light play on your subject’s face. It can be a subtle change, so move the reflector on and off to see where the light is filling in shadows. If you don’t have stands or an assistant, you can even have your subject hold the reflector for you. Once you’ve positioned your reflectors, take some test shots and pay attention to shadow areas and skin tone.
With more experience, you’ll recognize good portrait lighting. Cloud cover, tall buildings, trees, and other objects can often create a soft, diffuse light that’s ideal for portraiture.
The next time you’re tapped to take a headshot, don’t just put your subject against a wall and take the picture. Try to find some sunlight, and then manipulate it to handle the shadow and highlight areas.
The available light in this alley was very good for portraiture, without any modification. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Once you’re done shooting and are have transferred your portraits to the computer, check out another of my articles, “Smooth Operator: Make More Flattering Portraits,” for even more tips.
 


Previous 1 2

James Fritz is a Principal Program Manager: Content Tools and Workflows at LinkedIn.
  • RJ says:

    My father was a portrait photographer and he taught me about the classic styles of lighting faces, when and why they were used. I think he rolled over in his grave when I read this weak article. Who do you think this website is targeted at? Please show us that you know what short and long lighting is and why butterfly lighting is so glamorous. Look up the PPA and take a class for christ’s sake.

  • Anonymous says:

    Hi there,

    thanks for these good tips about photographing with the proper light.

  • chef ron says:

    Why not just move the girl to a nice shadie area and avoid the direct sun light. Use just a little flash fill and “bang” you git an image.

  • Leikonik says:

    As RJ observed, this is not a very stellar article on portrait lighting techniques, but I suspect that that was exactly the purpose of it: just to give newbies an idea they may not know about, so that they may start experimenting and exploring on their own. I doubt any serious photographer with the knowledge of lighting techniques would think even for a minute that this article was intended for them…

    BTW, I imagine that this website is targeted for graphic designers and not necessarily photographers. Don’t you? So, articles like this one make more sense here than on any strictly photography-related sites.

    I am a photographer for almost 40 years now, so this article did not teach me anything. But sometimes, I find a piece of info, a tip or an opinion in one of those articles, that resonate with me and make me think. I guess, there is never too late to learn something new… even if your father has been a classic-portrait shooter. ;)

  • Anonymous says:

    Nice pict :)

  • >