 Beverly A. Burke |
Studio Portraiture I have been asked by friends to photograph 3 teenage girls prior to a dance. They want a white backdrop and want to be photographed together, as well as individually. I use the Canon 10D. I have 2 umbrella lights with stands, as well as 2 550 speedlites. However, I have not practiced with this equipment as yet and have been involved more with landscapes than portraits. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to position 3 girls and whether the 2 umbrella lights should be positioned in the traditional main and fill (45degree angle). What would be the preferable ration of main to fill? Would the speedlites be easier to deal with? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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David King |
Hi Beverly, First, fill is used to fill the shadows the main light creates but from the camera's point of view so as not to create conflicting shadows. For the young girls a main at an angle will accentuate any skin texture or problems so I'd suggest using "butterfly" (sometimes called "Paramount" lighting) where the main is more or less centered over the group at a height to create a slight shadow directly under the nose (the shadow should not extend more than half way to the top of the lip or it makes the nose look like it belongs ont he wicked witch). This creates very pleasing light that shows up cheekbones, minimizes skin texture, and makes the eyes sparkle nicely. The fill can be a simply reflector or the fill light coming more or less straight on. If you want a high key shot the difference should be no more than a stop and a 1/2 stop is fine. If you want low key then you can go a stop and a half easily for color or two to two-and-a-half for B&W and still have detail in the shadowed areas. you can use the power setting on the strobes or simply set them equally and use distance to achieve the ratios. With a little practice you will be able to do it visually. If you want a blown-out white background you need more lights to throw on them. In any case, keep the subjects as far from the backdrop as possible to keep their shadows falling on the floor and not right behind them. David
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Beverly A. Burke |
David, Thank you for your suggestions. When you say for high key, the difference should be one stop, do you mean the ratio of main to fill should be 2:1? I have settings on the strobes for 2:1, or 4:1. I have the fill light set up next to my camera and from what you are saying about skin texture, I guess I should move the main light to be more centered, which would put it probably on the other side of the camera, rather than at 45 degrees. Is that what you mean? Thank you so much. I just found out that it will be 6 girls instead of three and it is tonight, so I want to have everything set up and be practiced.
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David King |
For high key the ratio should be NO MORE than 2:1 and often is less to where the shadows are barely visible. it is often easier to set the strobes to be the same output and then use distance to control light intensity. The ideal placement of the light instrument for butterfly lighting is centered side to side on the subject and then high enough to create the proper shadow under the nose. That means, if you are shooting straight on, it normally is mounted on a boom and cantilevered out over the camera so the light stand is not in the way. Generally for the fill, it too ought to be on the same axis as the camera but obviously then it too would be in the way. That's not a problem for reflectors which can be placed lower than the camera but it can be am issue for a large soft fill. So generally, for a front-on shot, the fill is often on the opposite side from the main/key light. 6 people in a shot really can create huge problems both for posing and for lighting. To light evenly the light must be very large or farther away which drops the intensity rapidly. It may work out better to use BOTH of your lights as mains and use some white or shiny boards as reflectors. Good luck! David
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Shauna Linde |
John Hedgecoe's book New Guide to Photography has a great section on portraiture in it going over everything from lighting to posing to backgrounds- he includes overhead illustrations as well as a picture from directly where the camera is at to show you how to set it up and then also shows the finished photo. That may have some helpful suggestions in it as well. Probably can find it at the library as I did....lots of useful info.
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Beverly A. Burke |
David and Shauna, Thank you very much for your suggestions. I think I will look for that book,as I probably will be asked to do this again. Studio lighting seems a little intimidating, which is why I haven't practiced with it until now. Thanks again for your help.
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