One-Light B&W Portraiture
Dramatic portraits can be achieved easily using a single light, black and white developing, and a good knowledge of light patterns and the Inverse Square Law.
Most of what we'll be trying to do with this will involve a black background. We'll use a controlled-light environment (i.e. a room with no windows) and a black backdrop as our background.
Being successful at this will require using different light patterns (flat, split, Rembrandt, etc.).
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STUDENT EXAMPLES:
This shot was taken with softbox strobe light for modeling light. Subject was very close to the light source and the focal length was 120 mm. There was a black background 4-6 feet behind the subject. The Inverse Square Law ensured that this setup resulted in a completely black background.
In Lightroom, Clarity and Texture to build more detail into the subject and highlight the subjects features. These adjustments can be more easily achieved using B&W images. Finally, the image is sharpened using Photoshop Sharpen filter to reduce blemishes and smooth features throughout the subjects face.
Dramatic portraits can be achieved easily using a single light, black and white developing, and a good knowledge of light patterns and the Inverse Square Law.
Most of what we'll be trying to do with this will involve a black background. We'll use a controlled-light environment (i.e. a room with no windows) and a black backdrop as our background.
Being successful at this will require using different light patterns (flat, split, Rembrandt, etc.).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
STUDENT EXAMPLES:
This shot was taken with softbox strobe light for modeling light. Subject was very close to the light source and the focal length was 120 mm. There was a black background 4-6 feet behind the subject. The Inverse Square Law ensured that this setup resulted in a completely black background.
In Lightroom, Clarity and Texture to build more detail into the subject and highlight the subjects features. These adjustments can be more easily achieved using B&W images. Finally, the image is sharpened using Photoshop Sharpen filter to reduce blemishes and smooth features throughout the subjects face.
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The below images are both adjusted post-production using Lightroom. You will need to create portraits for your assignment.
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In the example below (which was taken at dusk), Lightroom was used to adjust the image to a Low Contrast. The secondary subject is backlit, facing the sun, with a sharpened focal point surrounding the main focal point near center. The camera is still relatively close to the whole scene and the actual background is relatively far-off, giving infinite depth of field. A bit of Lightroom contrast editing (i.e. blacker blacks) also helped with this.
One-Light B&W Portrait Assignment
Using whatever settings you like (shoot RAW!), use one single light (either with or without a softbox) and take FOUR different portraits.
At least one of the portraits needs to be an up-close, "gritty" shot with lots of detail (see top example).
You should use Lightroom to turn your images black and white. Adjusting black/white/shadow/highlight levels is going to be key. Consider adding sharpness if you want the "gritty" look. Attempt to create a low key image with the surrounding area completely black, giving more weighting toward the central focal point.
Submit a photo log and a reflection of the adjustments made to each image.
Using whatever settings you like (shoot RAW!), use one single light (either with or without a softbox) and take FOUR different portraits.
At least one of the portraits needs to be an up-close, "gritty" shot with lots of detail (see top example).
You should use Lightroom to turn your images black and white. Adjusting black/white/shadow/highlight levels is going to be key. Consider adding sharpness if you want the "gritty" look. Attempt to create a low key image with the surrounding area completely black, giving more weighting toward the central focal point.
Submit a photo log and a reflection of the adjustments made to each image.