Crafting The Natural Light Look

Download or read book Crafting the Natural Light Look written by Sandra Coan and published by Rocky Nook, Inc.. This book was released on 2020-01-31 with total page 307 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Learn to use a one-light approach for recreating the look of beautiful, natural window light for portraiture!

At its best, natural light is magical for portraiture. The quality of natural light streaming through a window can be extraordinary—gorgeous, wrapping light that flatters your subject and can be used to create multiple looks. For years, photographer Sandra Coan exclusively used natural light in her portraiture work. And while the results could be magnificent, she also learned that she could not rely on it to build a business and create consistently great photographs. That’s because natural light is frustratingly unpredictable: sometimes it rains, sometimes the light is too harsh when your clients are available, and sometimes—depending on the time of year—it’s just too dark.

In order to grow her business with dependably great results and a high level of professionalism, Sandra finally decided to tackle artificial light. She spent years honing her ability to use artificial light to recreate the look of beautiful, natural light. And now, with a simple one-light approach, she produces “natural” light whenever and wherever she likes, creating great portraits in any situation, at any time of day or night. It’s an approach that has led to a successful career spanning two decades and a signature look to her work. Here, in Crafting the Natural Light Look, Sandra shares her knowledge and techniques so that you, too, can learn to quickly and dependably create the look of natural light in your own portraiture. Unlike other books that address artificial light, Sandra’s tone is conversational and easygoing, and she does not cover everything there is to know about artificial light. In fact, there are no two- or three-light setups here. Instead, Sandra’s method is straightforward and easily actionable. She covers:

• The key characteristics of light (intensity, distance, direction)

• Equipment: strobes, flashes, light meters, triggers, receivers, modifiers, reflectors, and light stands—including what she uses, and what she recommends if starting out on a budget

• Shutter speed and its relationship with artificial light

• Where to position the light and the subject for consistent, flattering results

• Creating four lighting patterns and looks with one setup—flat light, loop light, side light, and backlight

• Using a light meter to determine the perfect flash power (whether you shoot film or digital)

• Working with individuals, families, and groups

• The role of shadows in its contribution to the drama and mood of a portrait

• Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• What she does in post-production (very little!)

Finally, in a series of case studies, she brings it all together and shares her thought process as she works through a number of real-world portrait shoots from start to finish. If you’re a “natural light photographer” who’s been either struggling with flash or reluctant to learn it at all, Crafting the Natural Light Look is exactly the book you need to improve the quality and consistency of your portraiture.

Download or read book Chroma written by Nick Fancher and published by Rocky Nook, Inc.. This book was released on 2018-05-01 with total page 430 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learning to work with light is an important milestone in every photographer’s career, and the ability to craft light to fit your vision for an image is a skill that cannot be overrated. Most often, that crafting of light is spoken of in terms of the quality and quantity of light. But there is an important, third component of light that heavily influences the final look of the image: the color of light. In Chroma: A Photographer’s Guide to Lighting with Color, photographer Nick Fancher helps you elevate your game when it comes to introducing the bold, creative, and intentional use of color into your work.

Whether you’re using a high-powered strobe or a small hotshoe flash, Chroma is for you. Nick begins with a discussion of color theory, gels, and white balance, then examines how to determine which colors complement your subject matter (whether that’s people or products). He moves on to cover topics such as:

• Balancing, mixing, and overpowering ambient light with artificial light
• Layering colors for unique color combinations
• Mixing hard and soft light to achieve extremely rich color
• Lighting detail and texture
• Modifier options, such as ring flash, snoots, barn doors, softboxes, and filters
• Gobos to control the light
• Post-processing for vibrant, powerful colors
• How (and why) to light with color, even when the end goal is a black and white image

Illustrated throughout with innovative and expressive imagery, Chroma also includes behind-the-scenes photos, lighting diagrams, and Lightroom settings so you can follow along from the initial concept through to the final edit.

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Download or read book Jeff Smith's Senior Portrait Photography Handbook written by Jeff Smith and published by Amherst Media. This book was released on 2010-01-01 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With detailed, informative instructions for capturing personable and memorable yearbook photos, this reference presents step-by-step demonstrations on advertising, talking to clients, producing outstanding images, and finalizing a sale. Noting the delicate balance of pleasing parents and teens alike, this resource illustrates how to marry the latest fashion-oriented photography trends with the needs of the family member who is paying for the session. A wealth of lighting and posing techniques combine with tips for analyzing the subject, choosing which features to accent and which to downplay, and creating alluring, fashionable looks that the whole family can appreciate. Emphasizing the value in allowing seniors to personalize their photos by bringing the shoot to their home or a more meaningful location, the guide also includes suggestions for incorporating additional visual elements such as pets, musical instruments, team uniforms, best friends, or significant others.

Download or read book The Natural Light Portrait Book written by Scott Kelby and published by Rocky Nook, Inc.. This book was released on 2019-11-18 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

What would your life be like if you could shoot absolutely amazing portraits? If you could be in any natural lighting situation, indoors or out, and know that you’d be able to create an amazing image every time? If you’ve ever dreamed of making such incredible portraits that your friends and family say, “Wait a minute, this is your photo!? You took this?” then you’re in luck.

Award-winning photography book author Scott Kelby teaches you exactly how to shoot and edit gorgeous natural light portraits. Scott shares all his secrets and time-tested techniques, as he discusses everything from his essential go-to portrait gear to camera settings to the portrait photography techniques you need to create absolutely stunning images. From window light to taming harsh outdoor light, from the tools and accessories you need to capture beautiful portraits in any lighting condition, Scott has got you covered.

Among many other topics, you’ll learn:

• The secrets to getting super-sharp portraits every time without breaking a sweat.

• Exactly which camera settings work best for natural light portraits (and which ones you should avoid).

• How to create separation with a silky smooth, out-of-focus background no matter which lens you have.

• How to tame even the harshest light and turn it to your advantage to create soft, beautiful, wrapping light.

• Which lenses will get you the best results and why.

• What gear you need, which accessories work best, and a ton of killer tips that will help you create better images and make the entire experience that much more fun.

It’s all here, including an entire chapter on post-processing and retouching, and another with detailed portrait recipes, and best of all, it’s just one topic per page, so you’ll get straight to the info you need fast. There’s never been a natural light portrait photography book like it!

Download or read book Natural Newborn Posing Deck written by Sandra Coan and published by Rocky Nook, Inc.. This book was released on 2024-02-09 with total page 227 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Create beautiful photographs of newborns with this handy deck of cards! Newborn photography has changed a lot over the years, including trends that feature elaborate (and sometimes unsafe) posing, composite images, complicated wrapping styles, and the use of props. Rather than following these trends, award-winning photographer Sandra Coan has for years been creating timeless, gorgeous photographs that stand out from the crowd—and which are based on straightforward posing techniques that are both natural and comfortable for the baby. Natural Newborn Posing is a deck of cards featuring beautiful photos and posing examples that will guide and inspire you to create the perfect newborn photography session! In this deck, which is presented as a set of 4x6 cards in an attractive case, Sandra provides 50 unique looks that you can recreate or use as inspiration to create your own family photos. The deck walks you through the exact posing “flow” Sandra uses in her photoshoots. You can follow it pose by pose, or you can pull out your favorite poses and use them one by one for inspiration and guidance. Each card features an image and accompanying description of the pose. With clear instruction and helpful tips, these cards are creative, educational, and inspirational. Whether you’re a professional photographer, hobbyist, or parent who wants to create beautiful images of your children, you can confidently use this deck. It’s safe, easy, efficient, and gets great results!

Download or read book Lighting for Digital Photography written by Syl Arena and published by Pearson Education. This book was released on 2012-10-07 with total page 704 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Now that you’ve had your DSLR for a while, are you ready to take a much closer look at what creating a great image is all about? It’s all about light! The ability to see, influence, modify, control, and create light will take your images from snapshots to great shots! In Lighting for Digital Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, photographer and bestselling author Syl Arena begins with a primer on light itself—how to see its direction, intensity, color, contrast, and hardness—and quickly moves on to discussions of shooting both indoors and outdoors in the many different conditions of natural or man-made light. Then the book digs in to begin creating light with photographic lights, whether that’s small flash or big strobe, the pop-up flash on your DSLR or continuous lights. Follow along with Syl and you will: Learn the basics (and beyond) of light modifiers that make light bigger and softer, such as umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, and diffusion panels Understand how to control and shape the light itself with flags, grids, snoots, and the zoom function on your flash Appreciate the color temperature of light (whether that’s the sun, a light bulb, or a flash), and how to influence it with white balance settings on your camera and colored gels on your flash Learn how to take great pictures across many different genres, from product and still life images, to simple (and not so simple) portraits and group shots With Lighting for Digital Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, you’ll learn not only how light behaves—you’ll learn all you need to know to get started on the journey of creating and controlling light in order to make great shots. And once you’ve got the shot, show it off! Join the book’s Flickr group, share your photos, and discuss how you get great shots at flickr.com/groups/lightingfromsnapshotstogreatshots.

Download or read book The Dramatic Portrait written by Chris Knight and published by Rocky Nook, Inc.. This book was released on 2017-07-13 with total page 351 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Without light, there is no photograph. As almost every photographer knows, the word “photograph” has its roots in two Greek words that, together, mean “drawing with light.” But what is less commonly acknowledged and understood is the role that shadow plays in creating striking, expressive imagery, especially in portraiture. It is through deft, nuanced use of both light and shadow that you can move beyond shooting simply ordinary, competent headshots into the realm of creating dramatic portraiture that can so powerfully convey a subject’s inner essence, communicate a personal narrative, and express your photographic vision.

In The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow, Chris Knight addresses portraiture with a unique approach to both light and shadow that allows you to improve and elevate your own portraiture. He begins with the history of portraiture, from the early work of Egyptians and Greeks to the sublime treatment of light and subject by artists such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Chris then dives into a deep, hands-on exploration of light, shadow, and portraiture, offering numerous lessons and takeaways. He covers:

• The qualities of light: hard, soft, and the spectrum in between

• The relationships between light, subject, and background, and how to control them

• Lighting patterns such as Paramount, Rembrandt, loop, and split

• Lighting ratios and how they affect contrast in your image

• Equipment: from big and small modifiers to grids, snoots, barn doors, flags, and gels

• Multiple setups for portrait shoots, including those that utilize one, two, and three lights

• How color contributes to drama and mood, eliciting an emotional response from the viewer

• How to approach styling your portrait, from wardrobe to background

• The post-processing workflow, including developing the RAW file, maximizing contrast, color grading, retouching, and dodging and burning for heightened drama and effect

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• How all of these elements culminate to help you define your personal style and create your own narrative