Portrait Photography Lighting Tips

This article was taken from HERE. I am posting this just as anarchive for my easy search in future.

Whether you’re an amateur, intermediate or professional photographer, sooner rather than later you would have realized that understanding and applying portrait photography lighting correctly really does improve the quality of your portraits to great lengths. Once you’ve successfully achieved an oustanding portrait, it’s really difficult to stop experimenting and it’s not that hard to pick up.

Then of course we have to tread down the road of photography lighting jargon – split, backlight, narrow light, ambient, strobe, fill, main, diffused, hair light etc. Oh, please save me…

It’s enough to make you turn to drink… well nearly.

Why is is worth learning about portrait photography lighting?

In a nutshell it makes an incredible difference to the outcome of portraits. Once you’ve seen what might have been and then compared it to a portrait with carefully selected lighting techniques, the results will prevent any further apathy. You might still turn to drink but you’ll have amazing portrait results. Some of the first things that come to mind is the difference it makes to cheekbones, the size of someone’s nose, wrinkles can be rendered friendly (just made that up) I don’t know if you can render them friendly but you can make them nicer to look at  .  Scars blemishes and marks can be softened too.

Understanding lighting for portrait photography is more important than many photographers think if only to ensure much, much better results.

Thankfully, in a studio, the photographer is the master and all composition is in their control. That said, there are a few standard lighting procedures you should know in order to be on the road to being the master. There is much more to achieve magnificent results and I will get to that but these are a good place to start.

Let’s talk about trio lighting (often referred to as three point lighting)

This is a very common approach to portrait photography lighting and is highly effective I must add.

Main light (sometimes called key lighting)

This light is usually positioned at angles to the models face at about eye level or slightly higher at approximately 45 degrees from centre. It is most often the brightest of all lights hence the name. Like you couldn’t tell…

Shadow softener or Fill Lighting

This is used to soften the shadows which may be too harsh on the other side of the models face from the effects of the main light. It’s intensity is most often around 20 to 30% of the main light.

The outcome should reflect a natural style of lighting. That said, you can always use a few other styles of lighting to add drama to the shot and manipulate more physical appearance and highlights. Some people refer to it as Rembrandt lighting. Hmmm!

Hair light

In trio lighting this is the third element for effect. This light is positioned behind the model in such a fashion that it highlights the hair and sometimes the shoulders. It’s your call and it can be controlled by angling. This light is rather sensitive to brightness. You can easily over do it. Make sure that it simply allows a little separation from the background. If you feel it looks better when it’s extremely bright, it’s time to stop drinking.

Lighting Equipment

Nearly all lighting now is flash oriented in some way but there are many ways to diffuse lighting. None more popular than the umbrella bounce method and the well known soft box which is simply made from material. It contains a strobe. These are much better than using a standard strobe which is often far too harsh for many subjects. You cam also use background lights to enhance any particular background requiring emphasis. There are coloured gels you can get to dramatize and colour the background.

Additional Lighting

There are other accessory type lighting pieces you can get to enhance your portrait photography even further. One is Butterfly lighting which really should be another article. Another common lighting method like a kicker is used most often in addition to the fill which is meant to highlight lines and bone structure. Personally, I think this can be over-kill. However, it’s really a personal matter and it should be looked at if you are serious and want to experiment a bit. You can get some seriously good portraits by using just the trio lighting method.

Resources

If you are deadly keen on portrait photography, this is the most affordable portrait tutorial style eBook I know of. It answers many questions I admit I hadn’t even thought about and it’s high quality step by step information. You must get this! Especially at this price. More importantly, there are some excellent interviews with high profile portrait photographers who spill a few portrait secrets as well. There are a couple of products or should I say ebooks out there that are worth considering when it comes to picking up the finer points of portrait photography… nothing this good for this price though. Truly, this is the best I’ve seen. If one ever better turns up, I’ll change this affiliate link but I can’t see that happening in the near future. Sacrifice a few cups of coffee this week and snap it up. You can get it at this current price at my affiliate link. I learned a few things from it as well (sighs with embarrassment).

I have some portrait photography tips type articles here but no where near as indepth and thorough as the eBook I just referred you to.

Sunway Lagoon 2009

I had won 13 tickets to Sunway Lagoon theme park through a Nuffnang Blogging contest which includes all 5 parks. I spent the tickets on its expiry date or else it will be a waste. Took my wife and son and spent the whole day at the park. Since my Canon 1000D is still under servicing for  unable to Autofocus and Err99, I took all these pics on my Benq compact camera.

@ Sunway Pyramid

Taiping Lake Garden In Picture

Esplanade Sidek, Kudat, Sabah

Sunset at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, Kudah

Tanjung Bidara, Melaka

Scene at Tanjung Bidara Beach Resort, Malacca

Macro Photography

Tips for Developing Macro Photography Techniques

There are many ways of approaching macro digital photography. And, if you are new to macro photography, it is quite confusing for those learning how to take great macro shots.

Here are some macro photography tips to give you a greater insight into the art of taking close-ups of small things.

Exposure for Macro Photography

When taking macro photos you will need to think about the f-stop setting unless you are using a close-up lens. Even if you use you camera's automatic light metering which will adjust the exposure to account for light loss, you will still need to manually adjust your exposure settings to get the best results.

Macro Photography Lighting

A handheld flash is ideal when used a few inches from the subject. It lets you get a good field of depth and you can get down to below stop f-16 to get the clearest, sharpest results in your macro photography.

Lighting can be the most important part of your macro photography as it can be the difference between getting good macro photos and getting stunning photos.

Focus is Critical in Macro Photography

Camera focus and positioning is critical with a depth of field of only 1 mm, and a tripod does not necessarily allow you to focus from the angle you need to capture the depth of field of your subject. Many macro photographers use macro focusing rails that attach to the tripod. These are a rack and pinion setup that moves the camera backwards and forwards. Use the tripod to roughly position the camera and let the focusing rails take care of the fine positioning.

Use Macro Mode

Use the macro mode on your camera. I know this may seem really obvious but you would be surprised at how many people who have digital SLRs have not checked out the modes they have built in to their cameras. Usually a flower symbolizes macro mode and using this mode automatically tells your camera you want to focus more closely on the subject than usual. In macro mode the camera will choose a large aperture so the background is out of focus and your subject is sharp in the foreground of your macro shots.

It takes a lot of practice and learning from experience to get good macro photography photos, and if you try out some of these tips it will help you to develop your techniques as a macro photographer.

Macro Photography Equipment Tips

What is macro photography? Macro photography is the art of taking close-ups of small things and the subjects tend to become larger than life. It is the opposite of micro photography and often the subjects are things like a water droplet on the petal of a flower or a line of ladybirds as they go about their daily business.

What Camera to use for Macro Photography

You can get great results with just an ordinary point and shoot digital camera, but the serious macro photographer will want a single-lens reflex camera. You can attach special-purpose macro lenses and the viewfinder shows you what the end result will be on the sensor.

What is a Macro Lens?

It is easier to find a good quality single focus lens for macro photography than it is to find a good quality telephoto zoom lens. The best types of macro lenses have a ranging length of between 50 mm and 200 mm, and will focus continuously from infinity to 1:1.

A macro lens helical has floating elements to change the optical design to give good quality results in close-up macro photography. This is why you get beautiful, sharp images that are focused at all distances in macro photography photos.

So how do you choose a lens for macro photography? The same way you would choose a telephoto lens. You choose a macro lens to suit the purpose you want to use it for. For example, you may want to photograph that incredible butterfly perched on the edge of a pale pink rose petal early in the morning so you will need a 200 mm lens if you are going to capture it before it flies away. If your purpose is to compress the facial features of your subject then you will probably use a 105 mm lens over a short wide angle one.

Macro Photography Lighting

A handheld flash is handy for lighting your subjects and is powerful when used a few inches from the subject. Try using it on one side of the subject while someone holds up a white piece of paper on the other side as a reflector. This will give a harsh, stark effect.

For softer light, experiment with other material to diffuse the light from the flash, for example, colored gels.

If you have a fascination for capturing close-ups of small things then get out and experiment with different techniques for taking macro photographs, and see what amazing results you can get.

I mentioned earlier we were researching a macro photography report and when it was finished I would let you in on it. You can download it here and because you are a subscriber, you don't have to pay the price the general public pay (they pay $25). It is purely on the subject of macro photography and is over 30 pages ...

http://profitable-photography.com/MacroPhotography.php

Fishing Boat At Kuala Kedah

This picture was taken in the morning during low tide while waiting to embark the ferry to Langkawi.

DCIM Show 2009

Today I went to DCIM Show 2009 at Midvalley Megamall. 

What I saw is below my expectation. Not as grand as being advertised. So not in the mood to take pictures. I think the Digital Camera booth during PIKOM PC Fair is far better than this show. 

However I attended a seminar about Travel Photography presented by Jimmy Khoo.

DCIM Show 2009

Digital Camera Imaging and Media Show 2009 will be held at Mid Valley in March. It  will be on 27th to 29th March 2009. It is a photo trade expo presenting a unique experience to photo enthusiasts and digital-based photographers.

Concurrent to the Show there will be a Velocity Angels Model of the Year contest. 

Photo enthusiast must not miss this event. 

Whats The Price Of The Camera Bag?

Last weekend I went out window shopping at Pertama Complex. My goal is to shop around for a camera bag with laptop compartment. At Low Yatt there are the higher end bag that comes with names and cost a whopping amount which is not within my budget. I am not a professional and apart of that I just own one DSLR kit camera. So I do not need that glamouruous look hanging on my back when I go out strolling in Bukit Bintang or any other places. I am not a reporter or a photographer. Just a photography enthusiast.

There was a popular photo shop at Pertama. I saw one bag - brand: Winner. Definitely China Made. It has some space for my 10 inch netbook but I wanted to make sure that the compartment really fits my netbook before making a buy. Its quite expensive for such a brand. The tag reads RM 399. As usual just RM 1 lower or else its RM400. That is the deceiving factor to sell products. We always see the first figure and make our decision on the price of an item. We always see this at fast food outlets. BTW, I have boycott fast food outlets in support of the innocent Palestinians. You know why.

Back to the bag. I ask to inspect the bag and the salesman said that the price can be reduced to RM350.00. Well its not within my budget. I was giving all excuses because I am not going to buy the bag yet but just survey the price. Then the price drops to RM250. I still give excuses telling him that I want to bring my netbook to try if it fits, then only I will buy. When I was leaving the shop the price drops to RM 200. Well, RM200 is a decent price and I can consider that. Since I am not going to buy as yet, I just walk away and he insist that if I want to buy I can come again to his shop. Of course I said yes.

I walk into another photoshop and this one is also one of the first tenant at the Complex. I saw the bag again and there was no tag. A salesman approached me and when I ask him the price, he gave some figure but I can't remember it. But I think it was somewhere in the RM200 range. I gave him the same excuse as at the previous shop. Then he gave me another offer. He said the lowest he can give is RM100. Well, now you can compare this price and the price at the first shop that I went in. Now there is a difference of RM 100 for the floor price between them. However if you compare the price tag and the floor price there's a difference of RM299. Can you see the cut throat price if one is not careful and buy things hastily.

A word of advice: Shop around before buying. If you have the ability to bargain, just bargain.

Photoshop- Removing Partial Colour From A Photo

Sometimes we see pictures in black and white but with one spot with colour. This is a photoshop technique. The technique is done using an adjustment layer to remove saturation from the image.

Digital Photo School has a tutorial on this.

Harvesting Season In Kedah

These two pictures was taken at Padang Hang near Alor Setar. It was the harvesting season and this scenery is a normal view during the season. The sea of green during the planting season gradually turn yellowish and golden yellow when the padi plant starts to ripen and ready for harvesting.

Most of the fields were harvested and in the background is the Gunong Keriang. Gunung Keriang is a limestone hill and the only hill on the vast flat paddy land. Folklore has it to say that this hill was a ship that was cursed by a bird "Sang Kelembai" who gets angry because his hand to offer marriage was turned down. Therefore this ship was cursed at dock while a marriage ceremony was in process. If one were to climb the hill there can be found caves and one of them is the "Gua Pelamin" or the wedding throne cave. 

Once communities around this hill can borrow cutlery and coooking utensils from the cave for wedding ceremonies but due to people who are not sincere, these utensils turn into stones. 

Both pictures above was taken using Canon 1000D.

Photo Sharing Website

Today I registered for an online photo album. This website has been around for some years and I had even registered an account before. 

Free membership account enable members to upload 1000 pictures and 100 videos. Free membership gets these;

• customize your own homepage
• store and share 1000 photos + 100 more for each month of membership
• upload on the go from your mobile phone

Another account is Premium membership where member can upload up to 5000 photos in up to 150 albums. Membership for Premium account is $19.99 per year a d get all these features; 

upload 5,000 photos and 100 videos, plus more each month

browse Webshots with no ads

download as many photos as you want

get exclusive pro shots photos

access our highest-resolution and widescreen photos

Firdaus

Two portrait of my youngest son 

Camera Canon 1000D

KL Photoawards2009 Contest

Time Out KL and its partner is calling for photographers to participate in the KL Photoawards 2009 for contemporary portraiture. Both professional and amateurs are invited to submit up to six images for the contest. 

Prizes : Professional USD 3,000 (RM10,500) and trophy

Non Proseffional USD 1500 (RM 5,250) and trohpy. 

There are two runner-up prizes in each category.

Portraits submitted by the top 40 finalists will be displayed in a public exhibition at the Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in May.

The deadline for the contest is on Mar 1, 2009.

For more information, visit klphotoawards or e-mail Steven Lee at info@klphotoawards.com.

Bloggers Paintball Tournament

These are pictures taken during the Bloggers Paintball Tournament organised by Advertlets, My NPL and MAPAAC. Read full story of my involvement at Nasi Lemak Roti Canai Teh Tarik. 

Freestylers Modified Pickup

This modified pickup truck was one of the participants in the International Extreme Auto Show in Kuala Lumpur recently. This pick up can dance.

Taken using Benq Compact Digital Camera

Lanterns Making A Presence

I took this picture while having lunch at IKEA this afternoon. Camera Canon 100 D F 5.7  ISO 800.

Humanitarian Message

Fotothing

I have uploaded some photos on my page at fotothing. Click HERE. 

Fotothing is a website open to anybody who want to post photos. It is just like a blog but instead of words it is replaced with members photos. A picture says a thousand words. This website allows members to share their photos with friends, family and whoever in the world. Your photo can also be commented by other members. 

Many of us have been using picassa, photopages, flickr, photobucket or the many other website for uploading photos. At fotothing, user can store photos as documentation of anything that comes into your mind.

This website also has the full RSS feeds  so one can easily link to the latest photos from your web site or blog. This website is free and a free user have a limitation of only being able to upload only 10 photos in 24 hours.

What Is ISO?

ISO is short for International Organization of Standardization, a governing body in Europe that provide standards in many aspect and subjects.  Companies are using these ISO as proof of their quality and projecting their business image. 

In the area of photography ISO means something else. It means film speed ratings and in digital photography it measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. ISO has replaced the ASA or American Standards Association. Those days films were sold as ASA50, ASA 100, ASA 200, ASA 400, ASA 800 and ASA1600. Digital cameras now have interchangeable ISO settings. 

How does ISO affects your picture? Read HERE. 

Building a DSLR System

This article was written by Philip Greenspun and appeared on the internet. 

Digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras are the standard tool for serious photographers. With the introduction of cameras such as the Nikon D40 and the Canon Digital Rebel XTi the market for digital SLR cameras has expanded tremendously. A point-and-shoot compact digital camera can offer reasonably good image quality, but a digital SLR, which usually looks a lot like an old standard 35mm film camera and may use the same lenses, offers the following advantages:

• accurate, large, and bright optical viewfinder
• fast operation and large controls
• excellent image quality in low "available" light situations when it is necessary to use higher ISO speeds
• interchangeable lenses

Read more HERE. 

Digital Photographers 10 Good Habits

While browsing the forum in Photomalaysia, I found this tutorial article written by Yusof Hashim. 

Go HERE to read the10 good habits mentioned:

1. Shoot in RAW
   
2. Shoot a little to the right of histogram
   
3. Use atripod, monopod or cable release
   
4. Keep lenses, filters, eye piece and sensors clean
   
5. Use manual focus
   
6. Use spot or Center Weighted metering
   
7. Use the lowest ISO setting possible
   
8. Bracket,bracket,bracket
   
9. Use burst exposure to freeze fast action
   
10. Take the flash off the hot shoe 
    

Beautiful Models?

These are pictures I took during the International Extreme Auto Show at Bukit Jalil last December. Its only picture of miniature cars on display and taken using my Benq DC E800 Compact Digital Camera with 8.1 megapixel.

Above: Shutter speed 1/402s  Aperture value f2.9  ISO 80 Focal length 5.7 mm Auto white balance and flash did not fire.

Above: Shutter speed 1/365s  Aperture value f2.9  ISO 80 Focal length 5.7 mm  Auto white balance and flash did not fire

Above : Shutter speed 1/226s  Aperture value f2.6  ISO 80  Focal length 5.7 mm  Auto white balance and flash did not fire

Above : Shutter speed 1/402s  Aperture value  f2.9  ISO 80    Focal length 5.7mm  Auto white balance and flash did not fire.