Five Classic Lighting Techniques for Wedding Photographers

Lead: When you can't use the classical lighting methods correctly, it is necessary to understand the significance of these lighting methods and how to realize them. However, each light distribution method is very individual in the arrangement of the main light source, so it is most important to consider the arrangement of the main light source. Let's take a closer look! Rembrandt illumination

Rembrandt is also called 45? Corner lighting is characterized by forming small triangular highlights in the shadow of the main face. This is achieved by reducing the height of the main lamp and adjusting the distance from the camera (relative to ring lighting and paramount lighting); The main light is next to the main body, and its position depends on the distance between the head of the main body and the camera. The arrangement of fill light is the same as circular light distribution, but the focal power setting is slightly weaker, which is often used to highlight the highlights on the shadow surface. Head lighting is usually arranged close to the main body to create brighter highlights on the hair. The backlight is still arranged in the standard position. In this setting, a strong spotlight is usually used to outline the edge of the face. (Note: In order to ensure that these rays don't directly enter the lens, you can put your hand on the center line of the strong spotlight between the subject and the camera. If the hand casts a shadow on the lens, it means that the strong spotlight directly enters the lens and should be adjusted. )

Above: This beautiful photo was taken with a single lamp with a soft box silver reflector, and the fill light was reduced to the weakest. When shooting, the real Rembrandt illumination mode was adopted, and a perfect triangular highlight was formed in the shadow part of the face. Also noteworthy is the elegant shape of the hand.

Separate lighting

When the main light only illuminates half the face of the object, the split light distribution method is used. This is a light distribution mode formed by reducing the height of the main lamp and adjusting the distance between the main lamp and the main body. According to the distance between the main body and the camera, the main light will be arranged at a later position than the main body. This arrangement of the main light position will create a great effect of thinning the main body. This light distribution method can also be used in combination with the method of hiding facial unevenness with weak supplementary light. In order to obtain dramatic effect, light splitting and light distribution method can be used without supplementary light. In split light distribution mode, fill light, headlight and background light can be used normally.

Above: C h e r i e S t e i n b e r g C o t? (Cherie? Steinberg? Kurt) took this unique dress photo of the bride's ribbon veil and hat. Because the size of the hat is relatively large, the height of the soft box is slightly lower than that of the face, forming a mixed light distribution mode. Close proximity and soft light make the light wrap around the outline of the bride's face, with no shadow edge.

Paramount lighting is sometimes called butterfly lighting or charm lighting, which means that the main light is arranged in a very high position and directly shines in front of the main face. Such light will not only form a symmetrical butterfly shadow under the nose of the subject, but also highlight the cheekbones and perfect skin of the subject. The fill light is arranged at a position higher than the head and directly below the main light. Because the main light and the supplementary light come from the same side of the camera, the reflector can be used to fill the deep shadows of the neck and cheeks in the shadows from opposite directions. The headlamp may be arranged in a direction opposite to the main lamp so as not to irradiate the face of the main body. The background light (if used) should be arranged at a lower position behind the main body to form a semi-circular bright background.

Annular lighting

Ring lighting is slightly modified on the basis of Paramount lighting, which is very suitable for shooting common oval faces. Lower the height of the main light and make it closer to the main body, so that the shadow under the nose will form a small circle on the shadowed side of the face. Arrange the fill light on the other side of the camera, closer to the camera. (Note: Be sure to check carefully from the position of the camera to ensure that the fill light will not project the shadow of the camera into the picture. ) In circular lighting, the arrangement of headlights and background lights is the same as Paramount lighting.

Ring lighting is slightly modified on the basis of Paramount lighting, which is very suitable for shooting common oval faces.

Side or edge lighting

Use side or contour lighting when the main body head is 90? At the corner. This is a dramatic way of lighting, which is used to emphasize the elegant features of the subject. Although the use frequency of this lighting method is far less than before, it is still a fashionable portrait lighting method.

To achieve sidelight, the main light should be placed behind the subject, which can illuminate the side of the subject's face away from the camera and leave beautiful highlights along the contour of the face. Be careful when lighting, so that the light is mainly used to emphasize the face, not the hair and neck. When using this light distribution method, the supplementary light should be arranged on the same side of the main light, and then the shadow part should be supplemented by a reflector. Optional headlights can be arranged opposite to the main lights, which can better separate the headlights from the background. Background light can be used normally like other ways.

You can even use the flash as the backlight to take a very elegant portrait of the bride sideways, and outline her face, neck and veil. If sunlight is used as supplementary light, a beautiful antique profile portrait can be taken with only one lamp.

The fill light comes directly from the position below the main light and is at the same height as the head of the main body.

The position of the main light and the twist angle of the head determine the light distribution method used in shooting. In this masterpiece shot by Dan Doc, the bride adopted an improved side lighting method. Her head doesn't turn 90 like the traditional side portrait, and the main light is not really backlight (although the light shines from the bride's back)

Here, Mauricio Donelli uses a soft box as side lighting. By feathering the light (only the edge of the light illuminates the main body), a highly reflective area is formed on the bride's nose and forehead. The veil makes the whole picture look soft, and only the highlights are clear and sharp.

Looking for a lighting guide

Even experienced photographers sometimes find it difficult to explain how to distribute light in outdoor shadows, especially at 10 am or 3 pm. A simple trick is to use a gray or white folding color card, which is an index card that allows you to do a good job of shooting. Open the folded color card from the middle to form a V-shape. Hold the card vertically, aim the intersection at the camera, and then compare the two sides of the V shape. The folded color card will tell you whether the light comes from the left or the right, and what is the brightness contrast between the highlight and the shadow. Hold the card horizontally, aim the intersection at the lens, fold the color card and tell you whether the light shines vertically from above. With this convenient tool, you can often take measurements when adjusting the lighting settings of the subject or the camera position.