Light distribution skills of crocodile light in portrait photography

Light distribution skills of crocodile light in portrait photography

1. What is the crocodile light?

Let's analyze what crocodile light is first. Based on butterfly lamp, it is a very attractive and economical lighting for photo studio. Make the face of the character get soft and uniform illumination, and produce faint shadows on both sides of the cheek, so that the character has a three-dimensional effect.

The specific method of light distribution is to clip light up and down in front of the main body. Generally, the upper part is the main light, the upper part is 45 degrees downward, the lower part is the auxiliary light, and the lower part is 45 degrees upward. So the distance between the heights depends on your composition, characters and theme.

As shown in the figure 1 (with light bitmap): the main light is projected downward above the model, and the bangs and foreheads of the model appear bright and prominent under the illumination of the main light. Liu Hai and his forehead first came into contact with the light, and the light became weaker and weaker in turn, until they met the auxiliary light, with clear priorities, but left the light ratio and hierarchy. A bright forehead and a high nose. The edge of the cheek leaves a faint shadow, which makes the face look thin and can produce bright eyes. These are the characteristics and advantages of crocodile light.

Figure 1

Optical bitmap 1

Second, the crocodile lamp is suitable for the crowd and theme

First of all, let's analyze what kind of light effect crocodile light will bring and what kind of plastic changes it will have on the main body in order to have a proper positioning.

We already know that crocodile light can make people thin. Generally, horizontal light is the light ratio between left and right, so crocodile light is the light ratio between up and down. Therefore, compared with the light ratio between left and right horizontal light, crocodile light will make cheeks, or cheeks slightly black, which will make subjects with square faces look thinner and have vivid eyes, which is more suitable for customers with slightly fat faces or round faces.

Crocodile light can create a dark background and a bright subject without background light. At this time, the light ratio between the general figure and the background is around 1 ratio 4, which is suitable for low-key and heavy-color series. Relatively speaking, under normal circumstances, we watch more films with left and right light ratios, so the upper and lower light ratios of crocodile light give us a fashionable emotional association, which is more suitable for shooting simple, fashionable and picturesque themes. Let's take the fashionable and picturesque theme style as an example to see the practical application of crocodile light.

Third, the application of crocodile light in fashion portrait shooting

The shooting of fashion portraits is basically simple and clean, highlighting the personality of the characters, and the crocodile light just fits this theme.

1, lighting effect of contrast between light and dark: As shown in Figure 2 and lighting bitmap 2, when the characters are far away from the background, the background is darkened with crocodile light to highlight the main characters in the contest, and the face angle of the characters is 3/4. This light effect makes the characters more stereoscopic and thinner, and the background appears dark and mysterious, which is also the characteristic of crocodile light. But it should be noted that people who are too thin are not suitable for such lighting.

Figure 2

Optical bitmap 2

2. Cooperate with other lighting: As shown in Figure 3 and lighting bitmap 3, crocodile light is used as the main light to shape the main picture and image of the characters, and background light can also be used to separate the main picture from the background to enhance the sense of space, and contour light is added to strengthen the figure curve of the characters, making them more stereoscopic and fashionable.

Figure 3

Optical bitmap 3

3. Crocodile light plane light: As shown in Figure 4 and light bitmap 4, when expressing the theme of fashionable and beautiful people, we use crocodile light as the main light to shape the main image of beautiful people, and at the same time, it also has a relatively three-dimensional effect. This kind of light effect is suitable for use when the character structure is three-dimensional or half-sided, which has a sense of fashion. However, it is necessary to master the light ratio and irradiation angle of the upper and lower lamps.

Figure 4

Optical bitmap 4

4. The light quality change of crocodile light: As shown in Figure 5 and Light Bitmap 5, when expressing the theme of character fashion, we often need to impart large light ratio and strong sharpness and texture. At this time, we can use hard light source as the main light to shape the main image of the characters, and use soft light to supplement the light appropriately. In this way, the characters have strong three-dimensional sense, good texture and strong fashion sense. However, attention should be paid to the exposure control of high-light parts and proper and reasonable supplementary light in dark parts.

Figure 5

Optical bitmap 5

In the shooting of fashion portraits, the use of crocodile light should be flexible, closely linked to the theme of fashion and simplicity, so as to achieve a targeted role in setting off the theme.

Fourth, the practical application of crocodile light in portrait.

European-style photo shooting is deeply loved by customers. Many times we will refer to classical oil paintings, so the light effect of crocodile light is often used in painting, which is praised by everyone for its deep color and aesthetic style.

1. Classical aesthetic light effect: As shown in Figure 6 and lighting bitmap 6, the crocodile light is used to show the deep classical aesthetic effect of the picture, highlighting the retro and calm of the characters, and at the same time darkening the background to highlight the bright main characters, making the picture simple and layered. This light effect makes the characters three-dimensional and highlights the five senses.

Figure 6

Optical bitmap 6

2. Creation of atmosphere: As shown in Figure 7 and the lighting bitmap 7, the retro and calm characters are highlighted with crocodile light, and the creation of picture atmosphere is also the key point. At this time, under the premise of using crocodile light as the main light, combined lighting such as backlight, background light and cold light can be used. Add light and shadow changes to the picture to strengthen the performance of characters and environmental atmosphere. However, note that other auxiliary lights should not be too strong to grab the main body.

Figure 7

Optical bitmap 7

3. Classic sidelight effect: As shown in Figure 8 and light bitmap 8, crocodile light is more suitable for expressing the subtle and profound classical aesthetic effect of the character's side in classic portrait. In order to highlight the aesthetic feeling and rich and delicate levels, both lamps can choose soft light, which is more suitable for the retro and subtle performance of characters, but pay attention to this light effect for customers with three-dimensional facial features and standard facial features.

Figure 8

Optical bitmap 8

In the shooting of the theme, we can use crocodile light in addition to the above methods, and we can also try other changes. Such as changing color temperature, changing distance, changing brightness, etc. As shown in Figure 9 and the light bitmap 9, the model is lying down. Similarly, the main light is aimed at the head of the model at a 45-degree angle, and the auxiliary light is aimed at the lower part of the model at a 45-degree angle to fade the shadow. Note that the model's cheeks still have a faint shadow, which retains the characteristics of crocodile light.

Figure 9

Optical bitmap 9

Pay attention to position and composition.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) Precautions for crocodile light fighting

One note: the main lights and auxiliary lights should be clear and clear. Generally, there are main lights above and auxiliary lights below. In a photo, there is always only one main light. Just like in a photo, only one theme is highlighted, others are called companionship, and all companions should serve the theme. The main lamp is called the main lamp because it plays a major lighting role and must be stronger than the auxiliary lamp. The auxiliary lamp is called the auxiliary lamp, and its duty is to eliminate the shadow or deficiency left by the main lamp, so its strength depends on the light ratio you need.

Note 2: crocodile light needs to grasp the dominant position of crocodile light when making inferences, otherwise it will not be crocodile light, otherwise it will become a "gild the lily" without characteristics.

Note 3: In the process of shooting and using crocodile lamp, it is very important to match the position with the lamp position. We must avoid the problem of goofing off and be good at finding angles. Usually, visual impact comes from a very subtle angle.

Note 4: Reasonable and accurate exposure is the basic guarantee to express a theme.

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