Portrait photography skills under different light effects

Lead: Photography is the art of light. Without light, photography is like a painter without paint. The use of light in portrait photography is particularly important. We can not only use natural light to shape people, but also use artificial light to shape people. Therefore, portrait photography mainly uses light to express the subject, achieving the purpose of expressing different themes and producing different effects.

Direction of light

Master the direction of light and take portraits.

Understanding of light can be classified from the direction of light. The direction of the light depends on the relative positions of the light source, the main body and the camera. It can be divided into smooth light, top light, side light and backlight. These four light modes have their own characteristics, and the results obtained when they are used for portrait shooting are also different. Different light can not only reflect the atmosphere and environment of the picture, but also express the personality characteristics of the subject. Because the direction of the light shining on the characters determines whether and where shadows will be produced, it is these shadows that give the photographed characters a visual form. For example, when shooting, the use of side light can make people's bodies look more contoured and three-dimensional.

Use soft light for close-up shooting on cloudy days, so you don't have to worry that the direct light of the sun will produce ugly reflections and heavy shadows on people's faces.

Front lighting

Shunt shooting

The smooth light makes the subject have no shadow at all. All parts of the subject are directly bathed in light, so the shadow area of most of the subject's face and body is small and the color of the picture is clear. The stereoscopic effect of the subject is not formed by the contrast between light and shade, and the stereoscopic effect of the subject is weak.

When shooting, choose the appropriate light angle to better grasp the picture atmosphere. The ideal position along the light is a low angle, such as early morning and evening, and the photos taken are bright and soft, with a fresh and natural atmosphere. In the afternoon, you can also shoot in the harsh light, and the strong light is suitable for expressing the subject's tough and high-profile personality.

top light

Top light means that the light is directly above the subject one hour before and after noon. In general, it is not recommended to use the dome light as the main light source for portrait shooting, because the direct light of the dome light will cause the subject to produce strong shadows in the eyes, eye sockets, cheeks, nose, lower edge of chin and other parts. And the head, forehead and nose of the person being photographed will be too bright.

Fixed light shooting

When shooting, the subject can wear a hat, open an umbrella or shoot in the dark. Professional portrait photographers will use light-controlled screens to adjust the contrast of the picture and soften the direct sunlight.

skill

In order to shoot normally in the top light, the easiest way is to polish the model with a reflector in the shadow. When using the reflector, we should pay attention to the reflection angle between the sunlight and the reflector, try to make the reflected light completely hit the subject's face, and adjust the position of the subject's eyeball reflection (eyes).

Side lamp

Side light can be divided into front side light and side light.

Side light refers to the light emitted from the side of the subject. Side light is very common in portrait photography. The side light creates the three-dimensional sense of the face outline and figure of the subject. No matter in outdoor portrait shooting or studio, the side light should be combined with the use of reflector. The reflector can control the contrast in the picture, so that the dark part and the bright part can be coordinated clearly.

Front side lamp

Positive light energy produces a good interaction between light and shadow, and the proportion is balanced. Most of the subject's face and body receive light, producing bright tones, while the subject is not irradiated by light, producing shadows. The rich colors in form reflect a three-dimensional effect, and the surface structure is skillfully displayed.

Front side light shooting

Side light is a dramatic light, which is used to emphasize the strong contrast between light and darkness. The side of the subject facing the light is bathed in strong light; And the backlit side is buried in the dark. The shadows are deep and strong. Every tiny protrusion highlights the surface structure. Because the shadow surface of the subject is gradually increasing, the tone of the shadow surface should be strictly controlled. If the intensity of light and the hue of the shadow are appropriate, you don't need to adjust the brightness of the shadow to shoot directly. If the light is too strong and the shadow is too heavy, it is necessary to use reflector or other supplementary light methods to improve the brightness of the shadow to achieve the desired tone effect.

Backlighting

Backlight means that the light comes from the back of the subject and emphasizes the outline of the subject. Backlight has a special application in portrait photography, which can not only outline the figure, but also show a strong personality. At the same time, backlight shooting is also a difficult problem for beginners. Because the light shines directly into the camera, the camera's metering system is prone to misjudgment, which leads to the subject's face turning black.

Silhouette effect of backlight shooting

If the exposure is only according to the photometric value of the camera, the subject will become a black silhouette. If you consider the exposure, you can still capture the details of the image, despite the sharp contrast between the subject and the light behind it. If the light source is in a higher position, a bright outline will be drawn above the subject.

skill

Under normal exposure shooting, the face of the subject often appears too dark, which is the performance time of the reflector. It is very convenient to use the mirror in the backlight state. Only when the reflector is paired with the subject, the reflection will appear obviously. It is necessary to properly adjust the distance between the reflector and the subject to avoid excessive reflection.