Portrait Photography

Portrait photography is one of the genres of photography in which a person, in one or a group, uses self-expression to demonstrate the mood and individuality of the subject. As in other types of portraiture, photography depicts a human face in the center of the image. However, the background with the whole human body, as well as the main characteristic content can be an integral part of the portrait.

History

The relatively low

Swaik Lake Pakistan

-cost dagerotype led to the general popularity of portrait photography in the mid-nineteenth century, surpassing the subject's limited seating position and the portrait genre of painting. The style of these early works was able to overcome some technical problems in the aesthetics of painting, which existed for a long time with the requirements of the time. The figures were usually placed in front of simple backgrounds and illuminated by soft light directed from the upper window, whether reflected by mirrors or not. The development of the possibilities and methods of photographic equipment over time has made it possible for photographers to obtain images in a shorter period of time in a studio setting. 

Portrait lighting

Winter portrait of a 10-month-old little girl

If the creation of portrait photography is organized in a studio setting, the photographer can adjust the lighting as part of the subject, adjust the direction and intensity of the light to the shot. It is possible to use many means to illuminate the face of the person to be photographed. However, there are a few general plans that can easily create a description of the lighting. Three-point lighting

basic lighting plans is called three-point lighting. This plan includes three and sometimes four light structures. This style of lighting allows you to fully reflect the model and show its main features. These three basic light structures, built within this simple plan, are as follows. 

The main light

This light structure, sometimes referred to as the "key-light" , is usually placed on one side of the model's face at 30 and 60 degrees from the center. When installed, it should be directed slightly above eye level. The purpose of the main light is to present the characteristics of the image to the viewer and to give a certain shape to the appearance of the model.  As a primary principle of illumination, examples are evaluated, such as the appropriate white figure exiting the aircraft and allowing various black movements on the aircraft behind. The deep shadows created by the main light can be adjusted by the filler light.

Filler light

Portrait of the famous French writer Georges Sand. 1864; photographer: Nadar 

In modern photography, filler light is used to adjust the contrast of the scene. At the same time, it is almost always located on the axis of the lens and plays the role of a large light source (when doing outdoor photography, you need to imagine the sky behind your head). Given that the filler emits less light than the main light (key-light), the added light serves to clarify the shadows on the stage. It is especially appropriate to develop this direction in digital photography, where there is a lot of shadow photographic noise. It would be more accurate to describe this process in a figurative sense: In this case, the light flashes throughout the room and fills the shadows. However, this does not mean that the filler light should be placed in the opposite direction to the main (switch) light. This does not soften the shadows, but complements them. The relative voltage of the main light to the filler light is more easily discussed in terms of distinguishing "Stop" (when the "Stop" command doubles or decreases the voltage of the light). For the filler light, a 2-fold reduction in light intensity "Stop" may be a typical starting point to maintain a measurement pattern of the shot to the head and shoulder surface in the portrait.

Highlighting light

Highlights are used to distinguish a particular figure, especially from others As a rule, the highlighting light separates the figure from the background.] An example of this would be a light that creates a glowing appearance on the subject's hair to add a frame effect or background light. It is possible to have several highlighters at the same time during shooting. As another example, during a wide-ranging fashion show, it is worth noting that the focus is on the bag in the model's hand. If this type of light is used in the appearance of hair for the purpose of parting, the highlighting light should not have more advantage than the main light in general use. Although there is no compulsion in photography, it can be approached from the point of view of "Moonlight Kiss" or "Lightning". All of these issues are considered prior to filming to select the author's emphasis.

Exaggeration

Exaggeration, in turn, is a separate form of highlighting light. It is mainly used to get the effect of background shading of its edges on the shaded side of the subject.

Butterfly lighting

Only two lights are used for butterfly lighting. The main (key) light is placed directly in front of the subject. It is usually mounted on the camera or slightly on the side. The main difference from the main lighting conditions is that it is relatively high. The second light is the frame light.

The reflector is usually placed below the face of the subject. In this case, the filler light takes its place and the shadows become softer. 

This type of lighting model can be characterized by a brighter light falling on the forehead, bridge of the nose, the upper part of the cheek. There is a completely different shade in the lower part of the nose, which is very close to the general appearance of the butterfly.Therefore, this method of lighting got its name from there. 

Butterfly lighting was one of the favorite techniques of the famous portrait painter and photographer George Herrell in Hollywood. As a result of Herrell's work in photography, this method of lighting is often referred to as "High Lighting."

Additional lighting

This type of lighting can be included in the list of basic lighting plans. They may reveal additional important points or have a secondary effect on the background creation process.

Background lighting

While not a major part of the portrait lighting plan, there is special lighting for the background behind the figure. During the background lighting, the details placed in the background are selected, and the light effect is determined. In this case, the background part behind the subject's head can be illuminated, or it can be filled with light by turning the light-colored background.

Other lighting equipment

Most of the types of light used in modern photography also have separate types of light emitters. Lighting for portrait art is usually enhanced by a light bounce with the help of a device or softbox inside the umbrella. Softbox - a box made of fabric, inside which is packed strobe-light. One side of it is made of light-transmitting fabric. This allows the photographer working on the portrait to create softer lighting. Photographs taken with this device are considered to be of better quality, in contrast to the samples, which are mostly decorated with bright strobes. Hair and background lighting are not common. Here it is more important to adjust the scattered lights to the other sides of the subject. With the help of conductive tubes, barn-dor, flag or gobo lights, it is possible to provide the direction and centering of the lights according to the photographer's wishes. In background lighting, in some cases, colored gels placed in front of the light are also used to create a colored background.