From the course: Portrait Photography: Ten Styles with One Light

Unlock this course with a free trial

Join today to access over 22,600 courses taught by industry experts.

Lighting and posting for what the portrait should say

Lighting and posting for what the portrait should say

From the course: Portrait Photography: Ten Styles with One Light

Start my 1-month free trial Buy for my team

Lighting and posting for what the portrait should say

“

- In this chapter, we're going to make 10 different portraits with one light. And for each of these portraits, the most important thing is to think about what that portrait should say. What's the mood, what's the message? Think to yourself, I like this picture because... And whatever you fill in that blank with, that's the word that we're looking for as we light it, as we use a backdrop, as we pose for it. And so, if it's moody, or dramatic, or fun, and airy, and high-key, all of these words should dictate how we set up our photograph. You know, we've got a thousand words in a picture, and you should sculpt your photograph to project those words to your viewer. As you think about the words that you want your picture to depict, take the first word that comes to mind, and then expound on it. If it's an athletic picture, don't just consider athletic. But think of endurance, think of the sport itself, think of grit. Instead of just being moody, think of dramatic, think of sad, and then…

Contents