Light Shadows and Colour in Portrait Photography
A key element in any form of photography is lighting. Whether it be natural or artificial, the way light is used and manipulated can determine the success of the image in conveying the ideas of the photographer. Two key elements of lighting that are sometimes missed when considering how to light a subject are the shadows created by the light source and the colour of the light. Each play a strong role in the final image.
Shadows. While is it very important to ensure that there is adequate light on the focal point of your subject, it is also wise to take note of where shadows fall and use them to your advantage. Careful placement of shadows can both conceal and highlight imperfections and wrinkles. Whereas light is often used successfully to give the appearance of smooth skin in commercial portraiture, for example in model portraits, it is also used as a tool to highlight features and to add character to a subject, for example highlighting the shape of a pregnant woman or defining lines to give character to an elderly man.
Shooting on an overcast day will make the sky act as a diffuser, evenly spreading light across your subject to soften imperfections, while shooting in direct sun will cast heavy shadows to define lines. Think about whether how shadows can benefit the story you are trying to tell in your image when considering your lighting.
Colour of light. The colour of the light in an image can greatly alter the tone of an image so it is important to consider this when choosing your light source. Both the natural light of the sun and artificial incandescent light appear white to the naked eye, however, using natural light in photography does not produce consistent colour. At different times of the day, different shades of the colour spectrum dominate natural light. During the middle of the day natural light produces a cool blue light giving clarity and sharpness in bright light. Natural light at sunrise and sunset give a warm light in photography, producing warmer pictures with more red and yellow and a softer contrast. Artificial light produces are more consistent colour with the colour of the light dependent on the type of bulb chosen. Incandescent bulbs offer a yellow tinge and fluorescent bulbs can give a greenish tinge, both of which can be altered and neutralised to give a consistent white light with the use of filters.
Having a strong understanding of the use of shadows and the colour of light will give you opportunities to use these elements to your advantage to accentuate the stories within your images.
Shadows. While is it very important to ensure that there is adequate light on the focal point of your subject, it is also wise to take note of where shadows fall and use them to your advantage. Careful placement of shadows can both conceal and highlight imperfections and wrinkles. Whereas light is often used successfully to give the appearance of smooth skin in commercial portraiture, for example in model portraits, it is also used as a tool to highlight features and to add character to a subject, for example highlighting the shape of a pregnant woman or defining lines to give character to an elderly man.
Shooting on an overcast day will make the sky act as a diffuser, evenly spreading light across your subject to soften imperfections, while shooting in direct sun will cast heavy shadows to define lines. Think about whether how shadows can benefit the story you are trying to tell in your image when considering your lighting.
Colour of light. The colour of the light in an image can greatly alter the tone of an image so it is important to consider this when choosing your light source. Both the natural light of the sun and artificial incandescent light appear white to the naked eye, however, using natural light in photography does not produce consistent colour. At different times of the day, different shades of the colour spectrum dominate natural light. During the middle of the day natural light produces a cool blue light giving clarity and sharpness in bright light. Natural light at sunrise and sunset give a warm light in photography, producing warmer pictures with more red and yellow and a softer contrast. Artificial light produces are more consistent colour with the colour of the light dependent on the type of bulb chosen. Incandescent bulbs offer a yellow tinge and fluorescent bulbs can give a greenish tinge, both of which can be altered and neutralised to give a consistent white light with the use of filters.
Having a strong understanding of the use of shadows and the colour of light will give you opportunities to use these elements to your advantage to accentuate the stories within your images.
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