Direction and quality of light : your key to better portrait photography anywhere

Providing readers with a study of learning how to turn poorly lit images into finely crafted, masterfully lit photographs, this guidebook instills photographers with the self-confidence to think on their feet and photograph any portrait subject anywhere. Acclaimed photographer Neil van Niekirk presents seven distinctly different lighting scenarios—available light, exposure metering, a touch of flash, bounced on-camera flash, off-camera flash, video light, and hard sunlight—to show readers how to manipulate the direction and quality of light, the subject’s and photographer’s position, and numerous other variables so as to turn a bad image into a stunning, professional-level portrait. Packed with dozens of instructional, full-color photos, this work also features 10 sample photo sessions, allowing readers the opportunity to see the seven lighting scenarios put to practice. Cover About the Author Copyright Table of Contents Foreword Introduction About This Book Equipment Structure Terminology About the Title 1. Direction and Quality of Light: The Basics Good Light? Bad Light? Quality of Light The Larger the Light Source, The Softer the Light The Direction of Light Short Lighting and Broad Lighting Positioning a Soft Light Source Positioning a Hard Light Source 2. Working with Available Light Match the Pose to the Lighting Feature: RAW Is a Must Find the Optimal Subject Position Direction of Light and Choice of Background Add a Reflector Even with High ISO Settings, You Need Good Light 3. Exposure Metering Your Camera’s Built-In Exposure Meter Selective Exposure Metering with the Histogram Feature: Control the Background 4. Flash Essentials Two Scenarios Two Exposures Maximum Flash Sync Speed High-Speed Flash Sync Manual Flash TTL Flash 5. Add Fill Flash Start with the Ambient Exposure On-Camera TTL Fill Flash Off-Camera TTL Fill Flash Feature: Keep It Steady 6. On-Camera Bounce Flash Why Bounce the Flash? Softer Light More Directional Light Bounce Angle Indoor Portraits Direction of the Flash Flag the Flash Control the Background Feature: TTL Follows Your Camera Settings Outdoor Portraits Mimicking Window Light 7. Off-Camera Flash Off-Camera Flash vs. Direct On-Camera Flash Directional Light Feature: It’s Not About the Gear Great Lighting—Anywhere, Anytime Manual Flash on Location TTL Flash on Location High-Speed Flash Sync (HSS) Direction of Light vs. Your Position Feathering the Light Feature: No Camera-Shake Worries Off-Camera Bounce Flash Colorful Portrait in a Lobby High-Key Portrait in a Bedroom Off-Camera Flash as Window Light Available Light with Flash Rim Lighting 8. Multiple Flash Why Use Multiple Flash? Start Simply Indoor Portraits Manual or TTL? Hollywood Glamour One Location, Several Options Feature: Power Settings Feature: It’s Not Over Until It’s Over Separation with Backlighting Outdoor Portraits Feature: Flash Groups 9. Gelling the Flash Neutralizing Tungsten Light With the Videographer’s Light With Streetlights Feature: Stay Sharp Gel the Flash for Effect Feature: Try Some Movement Turning Day Into Night 10. Photography in Hard Sunlight Without Additional Lighting Turn the Subject Toward the Light Turn the Subject Away from the Light Shortcut for Bright Sunlight Find the Shade Add On-Camera Flash Add Off-Camera Flash Feature: A Wider Aperture Guide Number Tutorial 11. Video Lights Video Light vs. Bounce Flash Feature: Be Considerate Wedding Portraits An Intimate Photo Session Feature: Lens Selection Conclusion Index Back Cover Offers lessons on lighting portraits, including positioning hard light sources and soft light sources, choosing light modifiers to adjust the light quality, and gelling lights for color balance effects