A perfect photo requires the creation of a
suitable décor. It seems a simple and logical implication, but in fact you will
need to fulfill particular steps, in order to obtain the light effect that you
have dreamt. Intuition might help you find solutions for the moment, such in
the case of a white wall or ceiling, brightening your model and the objects
around, but in the same time intuition can lead you to bizarre effects, for
instance an intense light that will apparently burn the face of the person to
be immortalized.
You can't ever be
wrong, if you apply one of the oldest lighting techniques in photography, the
so-called Three Point method. Concisely, if you will use correctly the light
provided by three different light sources, your model will be globally
illuminated, leaving you no reason to correct the photo. Mainly, the
arrangement of lights starts with the key light, the strongest one, shinning
directly upon your subject. It can be the sunlight itself, if you shoot outdoor
or a particular lamp for indoors décors. Secondly, the key light will be
completed by a fill light, illuminating the shadows around your model from a
side angle similar to the key light. In order to obtain the complete effect of
the twin lights, it's necessary to place the fill light
at a lower position, balancing the key light. In some cases, the classical lamp
used as fill light is replaced by a reflector, effectively redirecting the key
light effect towards another subject from your scene, maybe a jewel used by
your model. Finally, the last element of your light triangle is the back light,
creating a discreet contour of your model or separating him/her from the
objects around.
The common triad of lights can be enhanced with
a background light, creating a four-point pattern. In this case, the last type
of light is placed closer to the ground, in order to illuminate objects from
your scenery, creating another perspective of your shooting. It is mostly
implied in the creation of movies or advertising pictures, where every detail
speaks the story of the brand, as consequence it has to be revealed.
Shooting outdoors can create a natural touch
upon your photos, but without a reflector, you will find it difficult to
balance the light your model is exposed. This photo accessory easily reflects
light into those areas where the face of your model might be affected by harsh
shadows. Generally enhanced with silver or gold tones, reflectors are able to
create either a brighter or a softer light, by placing them close to your
model, as a back light or as a side angle light. The umbrella reflectors,
widely used, provide a reliable illumination, since they include a matte white
interior, as well as a black pellicle, for a proper diffusion of unwanted
shadows.
The logics of a reflector is quite simple: the
gold pellicle creates warm tones, the white one gathers the existing light into
a neutral color effect, the silver pellicle brightens the skin and the
accessories around the model, while the last one, the black pellicle, absorb
the stray light, delivering a translucent effect. All in all, reflectors
despite their sizes, are a cheap (even handmade at home), yet versatile
solution to most common photography problems concerning natural light.
