| Whether you're a photography newbie or you've | | | | as they were 10 years ago, 50 years, 100. |
| been around the block a few times, it doesn't take | | | | The best lighting patterns haven't changed. |
| long to learn that properly lighting a portrait subject | | | | Rembrandt light is called that because Rembrandt |
| can make a huge difference in the quality of the | | | | used that lighting pattern! In the early 1600's! |
| finished portrait. | | | | The point is, to learn the basic lighting patterns, old |
| Thus begins the never ending torment. | | | | photo books work just as well as the new ones. You |
| First, we wonder what kind of lighting patterns there | | | | don't have to spend a fortune at the local camera |
| are. | | | | store, book store or on line. Go to the library. It's |
| We go to our local camera store and discover a | | | | free. |
| book that discusses Rembrandt light. Then another | | | | Find a book that shows a lighting pattern you want |
| guru says that narrow light is the way to go. But for | | | | to learn, check it out and go home. |
| each narrow light application, there's another time | | | | Now comes the expensive part. |
| when broad light will do the trick. They talk about | | | | You need some flashlights. I mean the kind you hold |
| split light, backlight, hair light, fill, ambient. | | | | in your hand. The kind you keep in the kitchen junk |
| They use terms like main light, key light, fill, diffused, | | | | drawer. (Yes, the one that always has dead batteries |
| hot, continuous, strobe and so on... | | | | when you need it.) You will also need a notebook. |
| It's no wonder so many people throw up their hands | | | | Now, for the fun part. Grab one of your kids, |
| in frustration. Then they light every subject the same | | | | boyfriend, girlfriend, next door neighbor, next door |
| tired old way. | | | | neighbor's kids...somebody! Bribe them. Tell them if |
| So then, we start to question - why bother? | | | | they'll help you learn about lighting, you'll do a nice |
| What difference does it make? | | | | portrait of them! |
| We soon learn that wide faces can be visually | | | | Have them sit on a chair in a darkened room. (Leave |
| narrowed, narrow faces can be visually widened, | | | | your camera in the bag. We don't need it.) Take out |
| noses can be shortened, cheekbones can be raised. | | | | your flashlights and starting with one (add more as |
| Not to mention - blemishes can be minimized, wrinkles | | | | needed)- light up their face. Move it in and out, raise |
| softened and weight reduced. | | | | it, lower it, go to the sides and so on. |
| Then it finally hits. Lighting is important. We start to | | | | Watch what is happening! Learn how to exaggerate |
| realize that being a photographer entails more than | | | | and minimize noses, bumps, acne, wrinkles. Learn |
| buying the latest digital gadget and spending | | | | where the light needs to be positioned to get the |
| countless hours in Photoshop. | | | | patterns in the book. |
| By now we are in information overload. Which way | | | | What happens when you put some tracing paper |
| to turn? How many hundreds of dollars do we need | | | | over the light? Bounce it off a nearby wall? |
| to spend - buying all the latest magazines and photo | | | | Then for each new discovery you make, write it |
| books? | | | | down in your notebook. Use plenty of diagrams. |
| There is an easier way. | | | | In a couple hours, you'll know more about |
| It's true that photo equipment is being improved all | | | | photographic lighting than 75% of all the |
| the time. Trying to keep up with all the most recent | | | | photographers out there. Plus, you can have a great |
| improvements in technology is impossibly difficult - | | | | time! |
| but - peoples faces are pretty much the same now | | | | |