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Time to head back to the studio!
Studio portraiture is a huge part of most photographers' business, so you are going to work to produce a professional-quality series of portraits, using the lighting gear and backdrops of your choice. You will then use Lightroom (and/or Photoshop) to develop and perfect your images.
Keep reading below the assignment text box for a review on studio light terminology, technique, and video demonstration of how to use Lightroom to develop studio portraits.
1) STUDIO PORTRAIT PORTFOLIO PROJECT
2) REVIEW: BASIC 3-LIGHT STUDIO LIGHTING SETUP
3) ADDITIONAL LIGHTING SUGGESTIONS AND EXAMPLES
4) CONSIDERING DIVERSE SKIN TONES
5) VIDEO TUTORIAL: PORTRAIT RETOUCHING USING LIGHTROOM
1) STUDIO PORTRAIT PORTFOLIO PROJECT
You are to submit 4-8 portraits for this portfolio, although you are welcome to submit a few more than that if you have the time. These should have a single subject (person) in them.
Use the backdrop(s) of your choice. Please use multiple backdrops and a variety of lighting setups. Your model can be the same or different.
It is expected that you develop each image in Lightroom. It is also important to coach your model to stand in the right spot and to strike a flattering pose!
When exporting your images, add a watermark. You should already have a watermark saved and ready in Lightroom, although you're free to create a new one (see the Watermarks page for instructions).
When finished, please upload all images (as .jpgs) to Classroom!
2) REVIEW: BASIC 3-LIGHT STUDIO LIGHTING SETUP
Basic lighting setup and terminology
Key Light (Main Light)
The principle source of light which establishes the character of the lighting, including atmosphere and mood.
Fill Light
Angled from the side opposite the key light, this light softens the shadows created by the key and evens out the lighting ratio. Consider having this at around 50% power of the key light.
Back Light
Used behind the subject and pointing toward the camera for visual separation of subject and background.
3) ADDITIONAL LIGHTING SUGGESTIONS AND EXAMPLES
Here are three great examples explained and diagrammed for your interest. The second one (clamshell lighting) is one worth trying!
Spend a bit of time searching for more setup ideas and demonstrations!
4) CONSIDERING DIVERSE SKIN TONES
Finally, an important word about skin tones. Shooting a high volume of images using the same settings but with models of different skin tones can create problems, both in accuracy of colour and at a much deeper level.
Take a look at this NY Times article about the racial bias built into photography and be prepared to do sufficient editing (one model at a time) to develop all of your models accurately.
STUDENT EXAMPLES:
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