Lesson Title: Sculpting with Light
The purpose of this lesson is two fold. Of primary
importance is to determine your subjects’ best features and angles
and to move your light away from your cameras point of view, be it natural
or artificial light.
In creating and
capturing your image, I want you to think in terms of black and white
although I would assume most of you are capturing digitally and therefore
are initially realizing your images in color.
Of first and foremost importance is determining your subjects best
features as well as those that you want to play down. This will help
you determine how you want to light the person. At the same time,
this should also help you decide if the person is best suited to studio
portraiture or natural light. Some subjects photograph better under
natural light while others work more easily in situations where the light
can be more controlled and finessed. Lighting applies here to both
portraits or figure studies.
In constructing
your assignment, I would prefer to see clean, simple uncluttered
backgrounds, allowing your subjects to take center stage. Often dark
backgrounds help bring the focus to the subject. Simple elements like
the placement of a shoulder or hand or even just a turn of the head can
create the visual for a dynamic capture. If you want to include an
external element make it a great shape or form that plays into your image.
Make sure it doesn’t distract by fighting with your frame.
Pay close attention to the contrast, color values, tones and hues of everything inside your frame because in converting to black and white, this is what will give your image the edge needed to make that transition to black and white.
Finally when you have figured out exactly what you are doing, remember the importance of sharing all aspects of your vision with your subject. They don’t know what you are seeing through the lens, nor what it is you are working towards. Involving them in the shoot and making them feel comfortable and confident will only enhance the energy of your final capture.
Copyright & Rights: Please adhere to all the rules and
regulations of copyright with your images and the copyright of
others.
Also, listen to the audio interview on
copyright with attorney Robert Cavallo in the Conference
Room at Photoworkshop.com.
Visit
the United States Copyright Office: http://www.copyright.gov/
http://www.photoworkshop.com/registered/pages/conference.html
Click
here to view Storyteller Bios.
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