How to capture different moods with lighting in photography?
:] asked:
For photography class I need to photograph the same person with the same expression in every picture. To create different moods all I can do is change the lighting. What are some different lighting techniques I can use?
For photography class I need to photograph the same person with the same expression in every picture. To create different moods all I can do is change the lighting. What are some different lighting techniques I can use?
You can use very hard or soft light to convey a mood. Take Jill Greenberg’s controversial image of John McCain. The hard lighting creates a very distinct feel. (http://www.pdnpulse.com/2008/09/how-jill-greenb.html). Generally, hard light conveys greater emotion. Soft light has more of a serene feel.
The direction of the light can also influence the mood. Lighting from different angles, (top bottom, left, right) can change the appearance of shadows creating a different mood.
Natural light- from a north facing window try rembrandt lighting with this one
Artificial light- on or off camera strobe or studio lights
90 degree side lighting
45 degree side lighting
full frontal lighting
Ideally you should have at least 2 lights to work with and an umbrella.
Use the umbrella to bounce the light or shoot the light straight through the umbrella.
You should have a main light and a fill light. ( your on camera flash can work as the fill)
Try positioning the light and different heights and angles and watch how the shadows change. Start with the main light at a 45 degree angle to your subject and about 2 feet higher thn the camera. And go from there!
You use light to make the mood then you capture that.
Use umbrallas, diffusers, snoots, reflectors, screens and other tools. Create hard and soft, key, fill, backlight, side light, et cetera et cetera and variations and combinations of these.
The point is for you to read and research about all these things and study others efforts, get some light/lights/windows et cetera and get to it.
Best wishs
a
One light.
From hard right..
From hard left..
From under the chin shooting up..
From the top down..
Two lights..
All the same above. NOT trying to be in the regular photo studio like conditions.
Different colored lights in the same conditions above.
You can get clamp on work lights at Home Depot and they now have high intensity florescent lights in Super Bright - White. Yellow. Red. Blue. Green and one of my fav’s.. UV, and I tell ya, these puppies ARE bright and they add a fun flair to one’s “studio” shooting.. and are only a few bucks each.
Have fun..
Bob - Tucson