How to Learn Portrait Photography Lighting
The right level of portrait photography lighting is a great craft to learn that will take an ordinary photograph to the next level. Properly lighting a subject, using artificial lights or a natural light source, sets your photos apart from the others.
What You'll Need:
- Camera with adjustable settings
- Subject or person to photograph
- Create a sketch of an image you are studying and attempt to predict the number of lights that are being used, their direction as well as the camera placement. Save each of these sketches so that you can use them for your own photo shoots at a later date.
- Consider experimenting with existing light on several different portrait subjects and the direction and type of light source. You can use your sketches to re-create situations.
- Use a reflective surface in order to light a subject. Any large white or gold objects, bodies of water or white buildings in the sunlight can all serve as reflectors and can cast a beautiful light onto your subject. Many professional photographers use large gold, silver or white reflectors in order to balance a harsh light source or to cast a small highlight onto a subject's hair or face from the opposite side of the main light source.
- Consider attending a local or regional workshop on portrait lighting. Various professional organizations, such as the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) or the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) often hold lighting workshops in many parts of the country. Workshops are an excellent way to learn to refine your existing lighting skills without having to purchase any expensive lighting equipment.