| Although portrait photography may seem simple to | | | | quality results without special equipment. |
| most, it is actually one of the trickiest photographic | | | | Use What You Already Have |
| skills and takes years to master. On the plus side, | | | | If you don't have money to spend on a professional |
| because of the posed and scheduled nature of | | | | light setup, you can often get near-professional |
| portrait photography, it is also one of the easiest | | | | results by using a few desk or floor lights. If you |
| ones to practice. If you're considering starting a | | | | want even more control, try using bed sheets to |
| studio in your garage or living room, here are a few | | | | reflect the light around the room. Look around your |
| handy tips to keep in mind before you call your | | | | house for possible lighting equipment and you may |
| subject in for the shoot. | | | | find some unique opportunities to use for your |
| Brighter Isn't Better | | | | portraits. |
| Harsh, bright lights will definitely give you lots of | | | | Don't Forget the Sun |
| illumination and make photographing your subject | | | | Often times, we think of portrait photography as |
| super simple. However, these lights are rarely | | | | studio photography, but that doesn't mean you have |
| flattering and should be avoided if you want natural | | | | to be in a studio for professional results. You can get |
| results. Portrait lighting is best achieved with soft light. | | | | incredible results using natural light if you know how |
| You can find this light in the shade, on overcast days, | | | | to properly use it. For example, if you have a large |
| or by using umbrella reflectors in the studio (these | | | | window in your house, you can use it as a source of |
| are available at a relatively low price). Using soft, | | | | natural light. If you're taking pictures outside, use a |
| even light will be easier to work with and will help to | | | | big sheet of white posterboard (or foam board) as a |
| highlight your subject nicely. | | | | reflector and point it at your subject to minimize |
| Light Setup | | | | harsh shadows. |
| Two lights should be enough for portrait lighting. Use | | | | Much like every other sort of photography, |
| one main light to determine the tone and direction of | | | | portraiture requires practice, patience, and a whole lot |
| your light, then offset it with a second light placed | | | | of love. Luckily, it doesn't require a lot of professional |
| near the camera. This will help to soften any harsh | | | | equipment or a lot of money. Be creative with your |
| shadows and even out the strong contrast. Another | | | | materials and subjects and you'll be surprised at how |
| way you can get this effect is by placing a light | | | | great the results can be. Portrait lighting is all about |
| above the camera and one fill reflector below the | | | | subtlety but that doesn't mean that it's not a lot of |
| camera. Both of these options will give you good | | | | fun! |