I just need a little portrait help. There are so many fantastic photographers on here, I figure where better to ask!
I have this film assignment in my photography class, side lit portraits.
I absolutely adore taking portraits, but I'm not familiar with studio nor am I the biggest fan when it comes to film.
I was just wondering if there are any tips anyone has when it comes to side-lit portraits, studio photography and/or film photography.
Also, here are some examples I'm hoping to go off of for tomorrow just so you have a general idea of what I'm aiming for (but in film): Sara Rose Smiley "Seriously Not"
If you have a bounce flash, direct it at something that reflects. I don't know that you can accomplish it straight on. I use reflectors. But, to do it in a pinch with no reflectors, try:
foil in a dark room
a mirror in a dark room.
thick hosiery stretched (just like a reflector)
Just a few things I have seen work.
The mirror works best. You may even end up dialing your flash down a bit, depending how close you are to the mirror.
Think about it visually, perhaps try it digitally first to see the outcome. Then go for it.
If you don't have a bounce flash, do the same thing with some indirect light. But it will have to be bright light. Hot lights in a studio can be 500 watts.
I second the digital first... I use my DSLR like a really expensive light meter... I take a bunch of shots, dial those into my camera and fire away... I cannot find polroid film for the 120 back anymore so it is a best substitute I can find.
A desk lamp with cardboard snoot would also work for this...
Or try unconventional side lights... I am thinking something like an old tv with strong white static and a face staring straight at it... if the model pressed their nose right up to the screen it would like their face well their hair would be dark... taken in profile I believe it would count as 'side' light...
if you want hot lights... they do make CFL that at 105 watts give you 500 watts of light... just be sure to check the temp of the lights so they are 5500k or so, or you will end up with odd colour washes without filters...
Windows are a great source of side lighting, if you don't want to use strobes, hotlights or flash.
A reflector on the opposite side will help by throwing light back in at one or two stops under your main light (depending on distance) so you don't end up with a totally low key look.
You certainly don't need lots of gear to do side lighting techniques, or low key lighting. There's not much I can add to what Chris and Jordan have said. Is there anything specific you wanted tips on?
One thing I will say about using a digital camera for metering - you have to be a little careful, because digital cameras vary considerably in sensitivity at the same settings, and 100 ISO on one camera is rarely the same as 100 ISO on another model, even the same brand. And it is almost unheard of for a DSLR to have an accurate ISO compared with film. It's a good guide, but I would suggest that your digital shots should be on the bright side, to get a normal exposure on film, when using the same settings and lighting. Lean towards overexposure on film, if you're not sure.
oh gosh film... i'd like to learn the basic.. but i have started using DSLR from the very first start... edge lighting is very dramatic...
i personally like it to be well contrasted, like the shadows are very dark and the highlights on highkey-ish thing... but if u would wanna do it the other way around, a reflector will do... may it be foil or just a plain white cardboard is enough to bounce the light... ^__^
just low ISO setting and not too high on the aperture it would work, everything goes with how you blend ur light... well, that's for me..
PS:
AM NOT A PRO... am still learning this craft... but that's just my opinion... here's what am saying....
HOPE I HAVE HELPED YOU IN MY MOST LITTLEST AND AMATEUR-ish WAY... hihihi
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If you have a bounce flash, direct it at something that reflects. I don't know that you can accomplish it straight on. I use reflectors. But, to do it in a pinch with no reflectors, try:
foil in a dark room
a mirror in a dark room.
thick hosiery stretched (just like a reflector)
Just a few things I have seen work.
The mirror works best. You may even end up dialing your flash down a bit, depending how close you are to the mirror.
Think about it visually, perhaps try it digitally first to see the outcome. Then go for it.
If you don't have a bounce flash, do the same thing with some indirect light. But it will have to be bright light. Hot lights in a studio can be 500 watts.
A desk lamp with cardboard snoot would also work for this...
Or try unconventional side lights... I am thinking something like an old tv with strong white static and a face staring straight at it... if the model pressed their nose right up to the screen it would like their face well their hair would be dark... taken in profile I believe it would count as 'side' light...
if you want hot lights... they do make CFL that at 105 watts give you 500 watts of light... just be sure to check the temp of the lights so they are 5500k or so, or you will end up with odd colour washes without filters...
A reflector on the opposite side will help by throwing light back in at one or two stops under your main light (depending on distance) so you don't end up with a totally low key look.
You certainly don't need lots of gear to do side lighting techniques, or low key lighting. There's not much I can add to what Chris and Jordan have said. Is there anything specific you wanted tips on?
One thing I will say about using a digital camera for metering - you have to be a little careful, because digital cameras vary considerably in sensitivity at the same settings, and 100 ISO on one camera is rarely the same as 100 ISO on another model, even the same brand. And it is almost unheard of for a DSLR to have an accurate ISO compared with film. It's a good guide, but I would suggest that your digital shots should be on the bright side, to get a normal exposure on film, when using the same settings and lighting. Lean towards overexposure on film, if you're not sure.
i personally like it to be well contrasted, like the shadows are very dark and the highlights on highkey-ish thing... but if u would wanna do it the other way around, a reflector will do... may it be foil or just a plain white cardboard is enough to bounce the light... ^__^
just low ISO setting and not too high on the aperture it would work, everything goes with how you blend ur light... well, that's for me..
PS:
AM NOT A PRO... am still learning this craft... but that's just my opinion... here's what am saying....
HOPE I HAVE HELPED YOU IN MY MOST LITTLEST AND AMATEUR-ish WAY... hihihi