Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/03/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]C.R. Wrote: >>>>> After Ted Grant chided me for bad flash photography in week six, I was > inspired to go to the library for some books on lighting. Side lighting from > a North window was suggested more than once. This is the result. (Thanks > Ted. This is how one learns.) <<<<<<, Hi C.R. Time for another lesson! ;-) Northlight is a nice quality light and is still employed in studios of some portrait photographers and painters. However, in your case you haven't employed the light to the best advantage nor have you done your model any favours with either frame. Particularly the second! Ouch! If your camera angle was at head level while your subject was seated or standing to where he is in these frames and not the up the nose or down the through the glasses angle, it would've improved both images immeasurably!. Picture 1: if your subject had change his shoulder angle more to the left of the frame rather than the "straight on, up the nose view" it would've given better body angle and the light would've strengthened the body rather than a big blob of white shirt. The low angle? were you lying on the floor? ;-) The light on the subjects face. One thing positive, you are on the right side for the light. As it appears you are on the "Shoot from the shadow side" that I use and have explained to hundreds of photo people over the years. What you have is more of a hard side light and yes it works at times, not here! To employ the "shoot from the shadow side" the subject's head just requires a slight turn to the left of the frame to a point where the "north light" is creating a small patch of triangular light on the cheek nearest to the camera. In this case the subjects left cheek. This is referred to as, "Rembrandt lighting" which is known to portrait photographers and a very enhancing light for men. It can also be used for architectural, sceneics, fashion and very nearly every facet of picture taking. You mentioned you went to the library. I suggest you return, find a book of Rembrandt painting and you'll have the best light teaching book you can find. Remember these old guys knew what light was all about, as they didn't have electric nor flash and had to rely on their ability to "see the most effective light to make their wonderful paintings." So my friend back to the drawing board! ;-) More film with the same subject - window location and do a re-shoot using Rembrandt Light from the shadow side. Watch for the triangle of light on the subjects cheek as you have the person turn the head slowly towards the window and when the light creates a triangle that just catches the near eye and cheek, stop him and shoot. This may take a few turns of the head and should be done until you are sure you see it just right before you start blowing away film. You might even borrow the Rembrandt book from the library and use it as a guide as your subject moves his head. I trust this helps. And picture two? Down through the glasses? It's a bad angle my friend unless you want to create a kind of Halloween picture monster! ;-) ted Ted Grant Photography Limited www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant