As a wedding photographer, we generally shoot and compose portraits of the bride and groom together with the rest of the wedding party on-location most of the time. Just like a portrait photographer, we like to diffuse and soften the lighting just to cover up any skin imperfections in the portrait. To begin with, we assess the features of the face and determine which one to emphasize even more as well as which one to cut down. Longer noses look great coming from a low angle while double chins are better with high camera angle. Then finally, when we do photo retouching on the portrait, we try to soften the effect whenever we can for added glow to the image.
But let’s say we prefer something unique this time. We would like a bit more drama and impact, an edgy portrait that pops. Here is how to achieve that high-contrast portrait lighting.
1. Make use of specular light.
Specular light is made from a bright level source of light that leads to high contrast. Shadows and dark areas are extremely defined as well as the range of brightness between light and dark tones in the portrait. You can use lighting coming from a bare bulb, off-camera speedlight, strobes, or from the sun on a clear day. With these main illumination, it can generate a prominent, hard-edged shadow along with enhanced contrast between highlight and shadow.
2. Start to position the light above eye-level.
Position your light source to some degree off-center from the camera axis. Your model’s eye might end up in the shadow in case you place the light very high. But if you place the light very low or centered, the light will appear flat and won’t show any shadows.
3. Create variation of lighting position.
Here’s a video guide from BowensTV about face shaping to help you with various lighting style patterns and setup in portrait photography. There are broad lighting, short lighting and rembrandt lighting to name a few. But applying the butterfly lighting and loop lighting can give our portraits more contrast and punch.
BUTTERFLY LIGHTING
Butterfly lighting is actually the shape and form of the shadow produced directly under the nose area. If the nose is pointing towards the light and the light is elevated just enough to cast a downward shadow, it will create a butterfly portrait lighting. To achieve this, center the light over the subject and modify it until the symmetrical shadow shows involving the nose and mouth, without ever disappearing completely or touching the upper lip. It focuses on cheekbones and fine skin. The most stunning light for women.
LOOP LIGHTING
If you move that light off-center just a little more, you will get a loop lighting. Loop lighting is an advanced pattern among butterfly and Rembrandt lighting. The key light is high to one side of the subject’s face, however not as high as the butterfly pattern, nor as low as the Rembrandt pattern.
4. Add fill light to bring up detail in the shadows.
The position of the light is always the key when working with hard lights to make high-contrast portraits. If it’s very high, the shadows may hide the face, whereas a very low or perhaps full-frontal source may get rid of the shadows altogether.
5. Shoot in Raw.
Whenever using a high-contrast lighting pattern such as this, losing detail in the shadow areas as well as the hightlights might be a huge challenge. Extremes of exposure can look really bad. To avoid this, just shoot in RAW. With Raw processing, you will be able to retain the details in the shadows and highlights because you can slightly overexpose to prevent loss of details in the shadows. With a RAW exposure, you’re all set and will be able to use the fill light to maintain details.
25 Dramatic High-Contrast Lighting Portrait Inspiration
Portrait Photography Inspiration #01
Photo via Mihály ZoltánPortrait Photography Inspiration #02
Photo via DEMESAPortrait Photography Inspiration #03
Photo via RashardwPortrait Photography Inspiration #04
Photo via TheSweetSidePhotographyPortrait Photography Inspiration #05
Photo via Dankos-unlmtdPortrait Photography Inspiration #07
Photo via GregbrophyPortrait Photography Inspiration #08
Photo via Francesco ArestaPortrait Photography Inspiration #09
Photo via VMP photographyPortrait Photography Inspiration #10
Photo via Mike FoldenPortrait Photography Inspiration #11
Photo via NeedopticPortrait Photography Inspiration #12
Photo via EntressanglePortrait Photography Inspiration #13
Photo via Ilko AllexandroffPortrait Photography Inspiration #14
Photo via Luke StrohPortrait Photography Inspiration #15
Photo via Mikael Chakir PhotographePortrait Photography Inspiration #16
Photo via Kristina PoznyakPortrait Photography Inspiration #17
Photo via MmbbppPortrait Photography Inspiration #18
Photo via StarometskaPortrait Photography Inspiration #19
Photo via DannykrugPortrait Photography Inspiration #20
Photo via BpowMTPortrait Photography Inspiration #21
Photo via AVAPortrait Photography Inspiration #22
Photo via Travis LawtonPortrait Photography Inspiration #23
Photo via EvrimcmnPortrait Photography Inspiration #24
Photo via MiggohooPortrait Photography Inspiration #25
Photo via Joel Grimes PhotographyHigh Contrast Portraits by Joel Grimes Photography
A Simple 3 Hard Light Setup: A Lighting Lesson
In this lesson we will look at lights that don’t have any soft boxes or light modifiers. I used heads with reflectors only. In the right setting and with the right subject this can look very good. We did cheat and use 3 pieces of foam core and one umbrella, but looking back now we could have not used the umbrella and been fine. We were shooting Katie Lohmann for a different shoot and she suggested the super Girl outfit. At first I was a little reluctant until I looked at some comic book art and started to see the shot. Things came together and the thought of shooting with hard light was very appealing to me. I was very happy with the outcome. The video was shot on the Canon 5D, 7D and using Red Rock micro rigs. – Jay P. Morgan Photography
Creating fabulous wedding portraits or family portraits either in the studio or on-location outdoor can simply add a smile to your client. It can be very useful and practical to a day to day portrait session, whenever you put together all the elements of photography. For photographers who just got into the hobby, try to familiarize yourself with various lighting equipment before going on a portrait photo shoot, specially if your camera and gears are new. Lighting along with its several modifications is an essential tool in assisting the portrait photographer expose people at their best.
Further Readings And Inspiration
1. Extraordinary Dark Shades of Portraits in Photography
2. Faces Of Power: 50 Portraits That Influence The World By Platon
3. Photography Techniques: 40 Baby Portrait Design Using Props
4. 5 Elements Of Black And White Print With Unique Portraits of Paris
5. Lead Image via Ervin
Aurora Gatbonton and the rest of the WPD Blog Team wants you to get hitched with creativity, style, and technology.