Providing readers with a study of learning how to turn poorly lit images into finely crafted, masterfully lit photographs, this guidebook instills photographers with the self-confidence to think on their feet and photograph any portrait subject anywhere. Acclaimed photographer Neil van Niekirk presents seven distinctly different lighting scenarios—available light, exposure metering, a touch of flash, bounced on-camera flash, off-camera flash, video light, and hard sunlight—to show readers how to manipulate the direction and quality of light, the subject’s and photographer’s position, and numerous other variables so as to turn a bad image into a stunning, professional-level portrait. Packed with dozens of instructional, full-color photos, this work also features 10 sample photo sessions, allowing readers the opportunity to see the seven lighting scenarios put to practice.
Author(s): Neil van Niekerk
Publisher: Amherst Media
Year: 2013
Language: English
Pages: 157
Cover
About the Author
Copyright
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
About This Book
Equipment
Structure
Terminology
About the Title
1. Direction and Quality of Light: The Basics
Good Light? Bad Light?
Quality of Light
The Larger the Light Source, The Softer the Light
The Direction of Light
Short Lighting and Broad Lighting
Positioning a Soft Light Source
Positioning a Hard Light Source
2. Working with Available Light
Match the Pose to the Lighting
Feature: RAW Is a Must
Find the Optimal Subject Position
Direction of Light and Choice of Background
Add a Reflector
Even with High ISO Settings, You Need Good Light
3. Exposure Metering
Your Camera’s Built-In Exposure Meter
Selective Exposure Metering with the Histogram
Feature: Control the Background
4. Flash Essentials
Two Scenarios
Two Exposures
Maximum Flash Sync Speed
High-Speed Flash Sync
Manual Flash
TTL Flash
5. Add Fill Flash
Start with the Ambient Exposure
On-Camera TTL Fill Flash
Off-Camera TTL Fill Flash
Feature: Keep It Steady
6. On-Camera Bounce Flash
Why Bounce the Flash?
Softer Light
More Directional Light
Bounce Angle
Indoor Portraits
Direction of the Flash
Flag the Flash
Control the Background
Feature: TTL Follows Your Camera Settings
Outdoor Portraits
Mimicking Window Light
7. Off-Camera Flash
Off-Camera Flash vs. Direct On-Camera Flash
Directional Light
Feature: It’s Not About the Gear
Great Lighting—Anywhere, Anytime
Manual Flash on Location
TTL Flash on Location
High-Speed Flash Sync (HSS)
Direction of Light vs. Your Position
Feathering the Light
Feature: No Camera-Shake Worries
Off-Camera Bounce Flash
Colorful Portrait in a Lobby
High-Key Portrait in a Bedroom
Off-Camera Flash as Window Light
Available Light with Flash Rim Lighting
8. Multiple Flash
Why Use Multiple Flash?
Start Simply
Indoor Portraits
Manual or TTL?
Hollywood Glamour
One Location, Several Options
Feature: Power Settings
Feature: It’s Not Over Until It’s Over
Separation with Backlighting
Outdoor Portraits
Feature: Flash Groups
9. Gelling the Flash
Neutralizing Tungsten Light
With the Videographer’s Light
With Streetlights
Feature: Stay Sharp
Gel the Flash for Effect
Feature: Try Some Movement
Turning Day Into Night
10. Photography in Hard Sunlight
Without Additional Lighting
Turn the Subject Toward the Light
Turn the Subject Away from the Light
Shortcut for Bright Sunlight
Find the Shade
Add On-Camera Flash
Add Off-Camera Flash
Feature: A Wider Aperture
Guide Number Tutorial
11. Video Lights
Video Light vs. Bounce Flash
Feature: Be Considerate
Wedding Portraits
An Intimate Photo Session
Feature: Lens Selection
Conclusion
Index
Back Cover
