About Lighting in Portrait Photography

Lighting in portrait photography is different than that of all other types of photography. Contrast is very important. This is the difference in the amount of light reflected by the bright parts of the photograph compared to the dark parts. The proper use of light in portrait photography will reveal subtle differences in color, texture and depth.

The Facts

Basic lighting in portrait photography involves three light sources. The first is a key light that shines directly on the portrait subject. This is often placed to one side of the camera, shining on the subject at a 45 degree angle. The second is fill light. This is often not a light at all but a reflector bouncing light from the key light. The fill light is often placed on the other side of the camera, also at a 45-degree angle to the subject. The third light is for the background. It is located directly behind the subject and shines on the surroundings. If there is nothing in the background, or if it is unimportant, the third light can be a back light. This shines on the subject's back to define them from the background. More lights can be added if specific things need to be brightened or a special effect is desired.

Type

Many light sources can be used for portrait photography. The sun is a powerful light source, but it can also be a problem, since it is so bright and you can't control it. The sun illuminates with natural light that is pleasing to the eye but also casts harsh shadows. Sunlight on a cloudy day is naturally diffused light and does away with the shadows. Artificial lights are also commonly used for portrait photography. These come in a variety of shapes, sizes and intensities. Some act as flash or strobe lights when a photograph is taken, while others are constant light sources. Reflectors are used to bounce light off an area. This is a useful when you want a softer, filled-in look. Bounced light is less intense than direct light.

Function

A photographer can manipulate light to suit their needs. With sunlight, they must wait until the proper time of day or precise weather conditions. "Golden hour" light shines one hour after sunrise or one hour before sunset. It is a very warm, inviting light. Light on a bright but cloudy day is nice for diffused light, but you may need to add some artificial light to bring out details. Artificial lights can be positioned any way the photographer wishes. They can be adjusted in three dimensions and strategically placed. The lights can be altered with "barn doors," gels, light umbrellas and filters. One popular device is a soft box. This boxes in the light with filters, providing a gentle, diffused light. Photographers experiment with different lighting set-ups to achieve different results.

Effects

If the portrait subject is saturated in light, they will look washed out and flat. Again, contrast is key. A portrait needs light parts and dark parts to give the illusion of depth and texture. Different parts of the portrait subject should get different amounts, and kinds, of light. For example, a key light may shine a certain amount of light on one side of the subject's face, while a reflector bounces half that amount of light on the other side of the face. This is a 2-to-1 ratio common in color portraits. In black-and-white portraits, the ratio is more dramatic, typically 3 to 1. This contrast reveals the shape and contours of the face. Important effects are also created on backgrounds in portrait photography lighting. If the background is important to the portrait, it should be lit separately. If it is distracting, then the portrait subject should be set apart from it with a back light. Even a plain white background is important in a portrait. Lighting it with a colored filter can create dramatic effects.

Misconceptions

Many people believe that a portrait is merely a picture of a person. Portrait photography is challenging and often requires years of experience before a photographer is proficient. A good portrait makes the subject appear to leap off the page. This is not achieved by simply taking a snapshot. It requires deliberate attention to lighting techniques to bring out the best in a portrait.