| ugh portrait photography may seem simple to most, | | | | Harsh, bright lights will definitely give you lots of |
| it is actually one of the trickiest photographic skills | | | | illumination and make photographing your subject |
| and takes years to master. On the plus side, because | | | | super simple. However, harsh bright lights are rarely |
| of the posed and scheduled nature of portrait | | | | flattering and should be avoided especially if you |
| photography, it is also one of the easiest ones to | | | | want natural results. The best lighting for portrait |
| practice. If you’re considering starting a studio | | | | lighting is soft light. You can get this quality of light in |
| in your garage or living room, here are a few handy | | | | the shade, on overcast days or by using photo |
| tips to keep in mind before you call your subject in | | | | umbrella reflectors in the studio. Using soft, even light |
| for the shoot. | | | | will be easier to work with and will help to highlight |
| Get Creative with What You Have | | | | your subject nicely. |
| If you don't have money to spend on a professional | | | | Always Use the Sun |
| light setup, you can often get near-professional | | | | We often associate portrait photography with studio |
| results by using a few desk or floor lights. You can | | | | photography, but the truth is that the two are not |
| also often use inexpensive construction lamps that | | | | codependent. You can get incredible results using |
| are super inexpensive and can work quite well. If you | | | | natural light if you know how to properly use it. For |
| want even more control, try using bed sheets to | | | | instance, if you have a large window in your house, |
| reflect the light around the room. Look around your | | | | use it as a natural source of soft light. If |
| house for possible lighting equipment and you may | | | | you’re shooting outside, one of those big |
| find some unique opportunities to use for your | | | | sheets of construction Styrofoam can work as a |
| portraits. | | | | great reflector- just point it at your subject and it will |
| Light Setup | | | | help minimize harsh shadows. |
| Two lights should be sufficient for portrait lighting. | | | | Just like any other type of photography, portrait |
| Use one main light to determine the tone and | | | | photography requires lots of practice, patience and a |
| direction of your light, then offset it with a second | | | | whole lot of love. What it doesn’t require is a |
| light placed near the camera. This will help to soften | | | | whole lot of professional equipment or a big |
| any harsh shadows and even out the strong | | | | investment to spend on specialized photography |
| contrast. Another way you can get this effect is by | | | | equipment. Be creative with your materials and |
| placing a light above the camera and one fill reflector | | | | subjects and you’ll be surprised at how great |
| below the camera. Both of these options will give | | | | the results can be. Portrait lighting is all about subtlety |
| you good quality results without special equipment. | | | | but that doesn't mean that it's not a lot of fun! |
| Brighter Lights Aren't Always Better | | | | |