The Best of Wedding Photography.pdf - Free

limiting the fill light is preferable to closing down the barn
doors to lower the intensity of the fill light.
The fill light often creates a second set of catchlights
(small specular highlights) in the subject’s eyes. This gives
the subject a directionless gaze, so the effect is usually removed
later in retouching. When using a large diffused fill
light, there is usually not a problem with dual catchlights.
Instead, the fill produces a large, milky highlight that is
much less objectionable.
Hair Light. The hair light is a small light. Usually it
takes a scaled-down reflector with barn doors for control.
Barn doors are a necessity, since this light is placed behind
the subject to illuminate the hair; without barn doors, the
light will cause lens flare. The hair light is normally adjusted
to a reduced power setting, because hair lights are
almost always used undiffused.
Background Light. The background light is also a low
output light. It is used to illuminate the
background so that the subject and background
will separate tonally. The background
light is usually used on a small
stand placed directly behind the subject,
out of view of the camera lens. It can also
be placed on a higher stand or boom and
directed onto the background from either
side of the set.
Kicker. Kickers are optional lights that
are used in much the same way as hair
lights. These add highlights to the sides
of the face or body to increase the feeling
of depth and richness in a portrait. Because
they are used behind the subject,
they produce highlights with great brilliance,
as the light just glances off the skin
or clothing. Since kickers are set behind
the subject, barn doors should be used to
control the light.
Tom Muñoz loved this location. The alcove blocked
the overhead light and gave him a natural portrait
light. The fill light was created by a diffused flash
aimed at the bride (several stops less than the daylight
exposure). The flash is only meant to fill the
scene, lightening the shadows created by the main
light. This image was photographed in RAW mode
so that Tom could adjust the color balance and contrast
which were dictated by the stucco walls.
BROAD AND SHORT LIGHTING
There are two basic types of portrait lighting. Broad lighting
means that the main light is illuminating the side of
the face turned toward the camera. Broad lighting is used
less frequently than short lighting because it flattens and
de-emphasizes facial contours. It is often used to widen a
thin or long face.
Short lighting means that the main light is illuminating
the side of the face that is turned away from the camera.
Short lighting emphasizes facial contours and can be used
to narrow a round or wide face. When used with a weak fill
light, short lighting produces a dramatic lighting with bold
highlights and deep shadows.
BASIC LIGHTING SETUPS
Paramount Lighting. Paramount lighting, sometimes
called butterfly lighting or glamour lighting, is a lighting