portrait lighting

[Madamblanc]

I'd like to get some suggestions/recommendations on types and methods of
lighting to use in portraits. Is there a certain type of bulb that
photographers use to flatter their subjects? Please e-mail me directly.

Thanks,
Madam...@aol.com

[Tony Spadaro]

The best way to learn portrait lighting is probably through a book.
There you will usually find diagrammed explanations of the various
types of light, placing them to the best advantage of the subject, and
getting the exposure correct. This text only forum can not really cover
more than specific questions.
The best answer I can give you without a 50 page website (which would
still only scratch the surface) is:
If the light source is big - really big, it's going to produce more
flattering light than if it is small. A camera mounted flash is a small
light source. Even this can be very wrong advice for certain types of
portrait.

Digital Photo restoration in Chapel Hill N.C.
http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/magor/tony
Temporary home of "The TeleConverter page"
http://dark_alley_photography.homestead.com/Darkalleyretouch.html

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Before you buy.

[BandHPhoto]

<I'd like to get some suggestions/recommendations on types and methods of
lighting to use in portraits. Is there a certain type of bulb that
photographers use to flatter their subjects? >

The short answer is, "No." It is though far more complex than that. You can use
almost any light source for portraiture. What most portrait photogs today use
is multiple strobe lights with a variety of light modifiers -- soft boxes,
umbrellas, reflectors, and so on. Which you choose depends on the look you're
after, the style you develop & the individual you're shooting. There are a
plenty opf books on this topic.

The traditional portrait lighting setup might include an off-camera main light
with (perhaps) a soft box for a directional but diffused light; an on (or near)
camera fill light producing 1/2 the quantity of the main (for the traditional
3:1 light ratio) modified by an umbrella for a directionless overrall wash of
light; a hair light ( modified by a smaller soft box) over the subject's head
and slightly behind to help separate the subject from the background and define
the shape of the head; and a background light directly behind the subject aimed
at the backdrop to further separate the subject from the background. The last
two will vary from 1/3 as much light as the main to the same quantity as the
main, depending on circumstances.

You might want to look at http://bhphotovideo.webphotoschool.com and find a
copy of a Kodak book called The Portrait. It's Kodak's Pub # O-24 and their cat
# 102-1443. It was created with the cooperation of the Professional
Photographers of America and illustrates a number of classic techniques.

I noted your inquiry about softy focus filters elsewhere. You can use them with
AF cameras. Therre are several types and each creates the soft effect
differently. Some have silver particles embedded in the glass, some hace
concentric circles inscribed on the glass or a cross-hatch pattern, others have
an overall "sanded" appearance. My personal favorite is a cross-hatch type
called the SailWind ProSoft #1, but many others like one of the Tiffen Soft FX
type. Each soft focus filter comes in one or more strengths. Which you prefer
depends on what & how you shoot, whether you prefer a softer diffuse light
source or a more direct type, and of course the subject.
===============================

regards,
Henry Posner/B&H Photo-Video
http://www.bhphotovideo.com
hen...@bhphotovideo.com

[John G. Silver]

> I noted your inquiry about softy focus filters elsewhere. You can use them
with
> AF cameras. Therre are several types and each creates the soft effect
> differently. Some have silver particles embedded in the glass, some hace
> concentric circles inscribed on the glass or a cross-hatch pattern, others
have
> an overall "sanded" appearance. My personal favorite is a cross-hatch type
> called the SailWind ProSoft #1, but many others like one of the Tiffen
Soft FX
> type. Each soft focus filter comes in one or more strengths. Which you
prefer
> depends on what & how you shoot, whether you prefer a softer diffuse light
> source or a more direct type, and of course the subject.

To that I might add, if you are using a 35 mm camera, you might like to look
at the "Pro4" filter holder. Ask Henry about that, too. It would be worth
your looking at when next in B&H.

For others who are doing portraits with 35 mm and are not aware of the Pro4
system, aside from being overpriced for what it is, it is a swing in and out
system for the Cokin style filters that enables you to focus and switch in
and out the various styles or strengths of soft filters to see the effects
through the camera as you work.

JS