Now you have a basic, flattering light scheme, with the main light source on one side of your model's face, and 'fill' light from the reflector on the other. Don't forget that you should frame the shot close enough that the reflector is not in the shot.
As the ratio of key light to fill light rises, the photograph appears more and more dramatic and the shadows in the picture become darker. For this reason, the most common lighting ratios for portrait photography are 1:1 through 5:1. But, while anything higher than 5:1 is generally not the best choice for facial photographs, these higher ratios can be used, and often need to be used, for photographs or portraits which include more of or all of a person's body, or for side-shots of the face. In these kinds of pictures, you usually want to have more light on one side and for the shadow to be emphasized on the other. Higher ratios are also best for dramatic photographs which include a group of people.
The three most important things to get right in portrait photography are camera settings, lighting, and your relationship with your model.
Meeting with the client, building rapport, knowing the client, and planning the session are essential elements. So don't do the final session at the first meeting. After you are sure that you know everything you need to know to make a perfect portrait photography choose the best location and time of day and take the session.
Lighting in portrait photography can be as complicated as you like. Professional portrait photography is almost always done in a studio, where the lighting can be 100% controlled. If you're reading this, chances are you don't have your own photography studio, so let's discuss a simple lighting scheme you can set up at home.
Lighting for portrait photography
Sometimes, when you look at a poor photographic portrait, you will see that shadows in the face kills the quality. The one thing that you can improve about is the proper portrait lighting of your studio when taking pictures. Remember, if you go outdoors to shoot on a sunny day, chances are, shadows will cause unnecessary clutter on your images. To counter act these, use a soft lighting in your cameras. If you follow this tip, you will see immediate improvements in your skills as a professional photographer.
The lower ratios, 1:1 and 2:1 can be used for most photography needs. These ratios make the entire photograph easier to see, so it is often used for family photographs, or facial photographs of small children and women. When the fill light is equal to the key light, or the ratio is 1:1, it is called flat lighting because there is no contrast and few shadows in the photograph.
If you manage to answer all this questions before taking the photo then you will probably make quite a good portrait photography. But i know that you don't want a good portrait photography, you want a perfect one. So the best way to achieve this performance is to talk with the client trying to know him, his past, his desires. This way you can create distinctive portraits. If you want a real great portrait then you have to add a bit of the client's personality in the photo. This works very well especially when you make female portrait photography. You shouldn't look for a face that is over painted by a makeup artist. Try to surprise something that really represents the subject.
Often the best strategy to relax your model is simply to engage them in conversation, as this will take their mind off the camera. They'll probably get more comfortable with the process after you've rattled off a few shots, so schedule a decent amount of time and plan on taking your best shots towards the end of the session.
First, position your model at a window. The light coming from the window should be bright, but not direct (i.e. not coming directly from the sun). You model should be facing you, side on to the window. Light from the window light will obviously light up the side of their face that is closest to it. Then, position something on the other side of your model that will bounce reflected light from the window onto the other side of their face. Anything white or reflective will do, for example a piece of white cardboard or a sheet of aluminum.
As you evaluate the results of the above actions, you may find that there will be subtle changes in how the lighting affects the highlighting of features or the elimination of shadows.
As the ratio of key light to fill light rises, the photograph appears more and more dramatic and the shadows in the picture become darker. For this reason, the most common lighting ratios for portrait photography are 1:1 through 5:1. But, while anything higher than 5:1 is generally not the best choice for facial photographs, these higher ratios can be used, and often need to be used, for photographs or portraits which include more of or all of a person's body, or for side-shots of the face. In these kinds of pictures, you usually want to have more light on one side and for the shadow to be emphasized on the other. Higher ratios are also best for dramatic photographs which include a group of people.
The three most important things to get right in portrait photography are camera settings, lighting, and your relationship with your model.
Meeting with the client, building rapport, knowing the client, and planning the session are essential elements. So don't do the final session at the first meeting. After you are sure that you know everything you need to know to make a perfect portrait photography choose the best location and time of day and take the session.
Lighting in portrait photography can be as complicated as you like. Professional portrait photography is almost always done in a studio, where the lighting can be 100% controlled. If you're reading this, chances are you don't have your own photography studio, so let's discuss a simple lighting scheme you can set up at home.
Lighting for portrait photography
Sometimes, when you look at a poor photographic portrait, you will see that shadows in the face kills the quality. The one thing that you can improve about is the proper portrait lighting of your studio when taking pictures. Remember, if you go outdoors to shoot on a sunny day, chances are, shadows will cause unnecessary clutter on your images. To counter act these, use a soft lighting in your cameras. If you follow this tip, you will see immediate improvements in your skills as a professional photographer.
The lower ratios, 1:1 and 2:1 can be used for most photography needs. These ratios make the entire photograph easier to see, so it is often used for family photographs, or facial photographs of small children and women. When the fill light is equal to the key light, or the ratio is 1:1, it is called flat lighting because there is no contrast and few shadows in the photograph.
If you manage to answer all this questions before taking the photo then you will probably make quite a good portrait photography. But i know that you don't want a good portrait photography, you want a perfect one. So the best way to achieve this performance is to talk with the client trying to know him, his past, his desires. This way you can create distinctive portraits. If you want a real great portrait then you have to add a bit of the client's personality in the photo. This works very well especially when you make female portrait photography. You shouldn't look for a face that is over painted by a makeup artist. Try to surprise something that really represents the subject.
Often the best strategy to relax your model is simply to engage them in conversation, as this will take their mind off the camera. They'll probably get more comfortable with the process after you've rattled off a few shots, so schedule a decent amount of time and plan on taking your best shots towards the end of the session.
First, position your model at a window. The light coming from the window should be bright, but not direct (i.e. not coming directly from the sun). You model should be facing you, side on to the window. Light from the window light will obviously light up the side of their face that is closest to it. Then, position something on the other side of your model that will bounce reflected light from the window onto the other side of their face. Anything white or reflective will do, for example a piece of white cardboard or a sheet of aluminum.
As you evaluate the results of the above actions, you may find that there will be subtle changes in how the lighting affects the highlighting of features or the elimination of shadows.