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Make your own studio - part two

Follows on from make your own studio part one ...

Light sources from around the home, Improvised lighting

Photography is all about light; it is as simple as that. Without light than there is nothing to photograph however learning how to use the lights to your advantage is where photography becomes tricky and can take some time to master.

Where you set your light sources plays an important factor however with some practice and a little patience than you will soon find that you can get some impressive results. Trial and error is really where you can gain the most experience and remember to take note of where you have positioned the light sources and what results you get. Do not rely on the LCD screen on the back of your camera as looking at the images on a computer screen is much more accurate.   

To get you started follow these simple instructions and remember to use logic when it comes to lighting. Look for heavy shadows being cast on the face and background and if need be redirect the light source to work to your advantage.

Lowlight lamps

Tungsten lighting can be hard to shoot with however can be useful to use as the lights can be moved to where you require them. To get the best effect use two table lamps and if you have no assistant than don’t worry multitask, as you and the model can both hold the lamps. 

Natural light

Different lights will create different effects. Remember to set the WB as discussed on the previous page to ensure colour casts are minimal. Natural light is the easiest and best resource to utilise, as it will give the most natural effect. Simply place your model next to a large window.     

Using a torch

If you want to create an intense and moody atmosphere than using a piece of cardboard with a small hole and shinning a torch through will create this effect. Come in close to the models face to make an impact. As the WB can be hard to adjust for this type of light than changing the image to black and white can look really effective.

Using reflectors

A reflector can be a great tool and worth investing in however if you don’t have one of these lying around the home there are other items that can be adapted. Tin foil can be a useful for reflecting light or to redirect light towards your subject matter a piece of white card can also do the trick.  

Without a reflector

Without a reflector a heavy shadow is cast over the face and the background is incorrectly exposed. If you only have one light source than a shadow will be inevitable unless you have the light source head on however than a heavy shadow is cast behind the head. 

With a reflector

With a reflector the light has been evenly distributed and the shadow on the face has been removed. Shadows can look effective if used in the right way but they can also make people look scary and make facial features such as the nose look bigger than they actually are.  

How to use a reflector

Bouncing and redirecting light is a simple technique to use and can dramatically change the effect of the shot. If you want an even light on both sides than set the light a little away from the subject and remember that your reflected light is going to be much weaker on the other side so the reflector needs to come in close to the subject. 

Top tips - how to photograph your model

Use props -By using props the model becomes more relaxed and makes for an interesting composition.

Make up - Dark and heavy make up can frame the models eyes and make for a more intense image. Natural make up tones will give the model a more innocent appeal as is used here.

Where to look - Getting the model to look directly into the camera can look really effective. However it is important to note that you need to make them feel relaxed and take a few initial shots to achieve the desired effect.

Still life photography

Objects can be one of the simplest subject matter to photograph as you are in complete control of all aspects of the shoot. Nothing is left to chance however this also means that it is necessary to know what you are doing which is where we come in handy.  

Whether you want to photograph still life objects for your own satisfaction or you have lots of items to sell on the internet than creating your own mini studio light box is incredibly simple to do just follow these easy steps.   

Four easy steps to create your own light box.

Step 1: Get a box or container. This can be anything from a cardboard box to a washing basket as long as it fits the object you are photographing. 

Step 2: Line the inside with foil. Foil will bounce the light all around the subject matter creating a more evenly exposed image.

Step 3: Put in a background. Choose your background depending on what you are photographing. White is a popular choice as it produces clean images. 

Step 4: Light the box. For this shot two lamps were used as this creates less shadows and an even exposure.

The dos and don’ts of flash photography

Do: Bounce the flash. Bouncing the flash will disperse the light evenly. Adjust the flashgun head anywhere in between a 45°- 90° angle depending on the environment you are shooting in. Low ceilings are best for achieving an even light however if you do not have the right surroundings than get someone to hold a piece of card and bounce it off that. 

Don’t: Use a direct flash. Using a direct flash can bleach the image and look wrong if applied in the wrong manner. A diffuser can help a direct flash however for the amateur that does not own this piece of equipment then this is not much use. Covering the flash with a transparent material can help weaken the impact.

Do: Use a cable sync lead. Using a cable sync lead can really make a big difference. You will still get the full strength of the flash but you will have much more flexibility as to where you want to position the light source. This means you can either use the flash on a direct setting if you positioned far enough away or you can bounce it.

Tips from a Pro - Eddie Cheng

Eddie Cheng is trained in product, advertising, food and architectural photography however recently he switched to graphic design. He started experimenting with fashion photography last December and most of his new work can be seen online at Purestorm and ModelMayhem under the username eymc275.

Website: http://web.mac.com/eymc275
Email: eymc275.info@me.com

Tip 1: Lighting does not have to be complicated, expensive or require any of the latest kit. A lot of my work is done with just one or two lights that are older than many of my subjects, plus a reflector or two. Knowing what to do with lighting is more important.

Tip 2: Hiring a good makeup artist can open up much more creative options and produce highly professional results that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. The difference between a model with and without professional makeup applied can be enormous.

Tip 3: Spend time getting to know your models and build a rapport by talking to them. This helps to relax them and they will deliver much better results. Following up with confident and effective direction (demonstrate if necessary) will further relax the model into providing you with the poses or expressions needed.

 

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