Lighting skills in portrait photography

Lead: If the word "details" is the cornerstone of Nova's determination to enter the field of flash, then the sentence "flash is just your other sun" is the turning point of his view on shooting with lights. Before starting to use the flash, Nova, like most people, kept a wide distance from these devices, just because the results were too different from expectations. The first unpleasant experience made him have an invisible resistance to flash photography. Then how will he overcome these difficulties and gradually master flash skills? Let's have a look.

Use history of lamp

Although I have been in contact with photography for about six or seven years, strictly speaking, I started to use flash photography in large quantities this year. In fact, like most photographers, before the flash was officially used, I always thought that light was just a tool to supplement light. It was not until I attended a lecture given by teacher Alex that I changed my concept of using light. He said that "the flickering light is just another sun for you", which not only inspired me a lot, but also helped me to use light in the future. As mentioned earlier, I always thought that the flash was only used as an auxiliary light. At that time, the word "creativity" was still far away from me, and it was also because of Mr. Alex's words that I began to think about the possibility of using flash to create.

In addition, at a sharing meeting I attended at the beginning of this year, I was fortunate to see Mr. Zhang Mark share one of his works, which also brought me a lot of shock! The reason is that the lighting used in this work is quite natural. Without his explanation, there was no trace of light at all. At that time, I suddenly realized that flashing lights can be used in such a realm. Touching the flashing lights, I found a whole new world. Although I started from scratch, I gradually realized the difference in texture of my works.

Touching the flashing lights, I found a whole new world. Although I started from scratch, I gradually realized the difference in texture of my works.

The transition from single lamp to multiple lamps

Although a single lamp has the advantages of a single lamp, in some scenes or creative needs, multiple flashlights must be used to achieve the purpose of shooting. For me, one more lamp is another world, which is different from shooting with only one lamp, especially when the problem of "light ratio" begins. How to match the light ratio of the main lamp and the auxiliary lamp depends entirely on the atmosphere and details of the picture you want to present, which requires the accumulation of time and experience. Furthermore, when you start shooting with multiple lights, you will find that you not only have higher creative freedom, but also can easily shoot works that meet your original expectations, which is incomparable to shooting with only natural light or only one flash.

Moreover, after filming, you will find that although there are too many complicated ways to play multi-lights, the biggest problem is not the flash itself, but the lamp holder accessories. A lamp is just a luminous body. How to properly control the direction and range of light is the real trick of using lights. For example, when I don't want the light range to be too large, I must use a honeycomb cover; To produce soft large-area light, you need the assistance of a soft mask; If you want to create a sunny and warm atmosphere indoors, you can add a yellow color filter.

Or every time you face a different scene or shooting theme, you should try to observe and learn from it, such as the placement, output, use of accessories, and find opportunities to operate and shoot in person, so that these tips can become your own.

Because the output of flashing lights is far less than that of outdoor lighting, but unity is strength. As long as it is properly matched, it can also fight against the hateful Sun!

Actually, lighting doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes a simple single light will have a good effect and texture.

Selection of outdoor shooting lights and flashlights

Although the output of outdoor lighting is much larger than that of exterior flashing lights, and the price may be more close to the people than the original top flashing lights, it is really favored by some players, but for me, portability and mobility are actually the most important considerations when I use lights. No matter how light the outdoor lamp is, it still has a certain volume and weight, which will not only make it inconvenient to move, but also worry about the possibility of being damaged by bad weather, so the freedom of shooting will be limited.

So I try to find a balance point in compromise, so the flash is the best choice for my needs, because it has the advantages of portability and high mobility. Although the maximum output is not as good as outdoor lighting, as long as multiple flashing lights are combined into a powerful light source, the calendering effect similar to outdoor lighting can be achieved, which is also the main reason why I bought a 4in 1 lamp holder.

Many times, the reference of lighting comes from the sun, which is a habit of human beings and a practice of nature, so it is easy to create light, but how to shine without trace is the place to test the photographer's skill.

summarize experience

Whether for portrait creation or commodity shooting, lights are actually a double-edged sword. Whether the lamp is used well or not directly affects the texture, details and atmosphere of the work. As mentioned above, the lamp not only fills the light, but also has creative function. In fact, many players have a wrong idea that the atmosphere of the work should be handled by post-production, and the preliminary work is not an important part. But in fact, on the contrary, the scene should not be created only by post-production, but by the lighting of the scene to determine the desired color temperature and atmosphere, so that the shot works will conform to the preset ideas in the mind, and post-production will only be fine-tuned and modified to make up for the inherent limitations of the scene environment or equipment.

Everyone will say, "Wow! Great photos show not only details, but also many technical elements, which you can't learn in class or reading books. Using lights is really a science. Only by personally operating the shooting can we know what details are, what is beauty and how big the world is.

Lighting can balance the color temperature and create an atmosphere. How to present the picture in your mind needs practice. Practical experience is not available in books or classrooms.