Portrait Photography - the Basic Principles of Lighting

Any drawing or painting is simply a recreation of lightlight is on or near to the axis of the camera (i.e.
and shade.either directly in front of or behind the subject).
A good reference photograph for a drawing orAltering the direction of the light
painting should be correctly lit.With portraiture, the best modelling is achieved when
When working from a photograph, lighting is one ofthe light source is at an angle of between 30° and
the few aspects an artist cannot change. An artist45° above the subject, and between 30° and
can only recreate what they see. They have no45° to the left or right of the subject.
special knowledge that allows them to knowLarger angles should be avoided because they can
information that has not been recorded by theoverstress modelling and so exaggerate features.
camera.When using natural daylight, the right overhead
The basic principles of lightinglighting can be easily achieved by avoiding particular
Any photograph is merely a record of light falling on,times of day. Don't take photographs at midday
and reflecting from an object. Differences in thewhen the sun is directly overhead (even on a cloudy
levels of reflected light tell us about the shape of theday, the light will still be directional). The morning and
object.afternoon are generally the best times.
With faces, we normally expect to see a shadowTo get the light to fall on the subject from the left
under the nose to describe its size and contour,or right, simply reposition them relative to the axis of
shadows around the eye sockets to convey theirthe light source.
depth, highlights on cheekbones, etc. The roundnessIntensity of the light
revealed by lighting is known as "modelling", and theThe third concern when addressing the issue of
level of modelling is determined by the direction andlighting is the strength of the light. The wrong
intensity of light falling on the subject.strength of light can produce and amplify all the
How the direction of light affect a subject'sproblems described. Both strong and low light levels
appearancecan eliminate modelling.
When the direction of the main light source is on orSome solutions to poor lighting are outside of the
near the axis of the camera, a face will lack modellingscope of this article (and will be covered elsewhere),
and appear flat.but briefly, choosing the right time of day, as
When the subject is front lit there will, for example,described above, is the easiest means of avoiding
be scarcely any nose shadows, and the eye socketsday-to-day poor lighting intensity problems.
will be as light as the cheeks.Summary
Virtually the same effect is seen when the subject isYour photographs (and artwork produced using
lit mainly from behind. The whole face will be in thethem) can be improved measurably, if - before you
shade, and none of the features well defined.even pickup a camera - you take the following three
Light falling anywhere in between these twosteps.
extremes will create differing degrees of modelling,Check to see where is the light coming from, and if it
dependant on the angle and intensity of the light.is falling within 30° to 45° above the subject.
Where is the main light source?Position the subject so that the light falls within 30°
When taking any photograph, the first concern mustto 45° to the left or right of their face.
always be to establish the source of the light. It isDo not take photographs if the intensity of the light
very easy to do! When outside, we simply look tois too bright or too dim.
see where the sun is. When inside, the light will usuallyFootnote: There are circumstances when these
come in from outside through a window or doorway."rules" may be broken, but the intention of this article
The second concern must be to establish theis to convey simple guidelines applicable to most
direction of the light, relative to the subject. Thesituations.
situation to most avoid is where the direction of the