Studio Portrait Photography

Studio portrait backlight

A backlight is positioned behind the subject and can be directed towards the camera to highlight the contours and outline of the subject. It can also be directed away from the camera onto a backdrop or other background screen. Either way, a backlight is used to separate the subject from the background. The backlight is also known as the hair light.

Studio portrait key light

A key light is also known as the main light and is usually positioned slightly above, to the left or the right of the subject. It is used to light shape and form and to accentuate the subject’s features.

Studio portrait fill light

A fill light is usually placed opposite the key light and is used to lessen shadows. The intensity of the fill light Is usually less than the key light.

Studio portrait three-point lighting

Three-point lighting is the most common lighting setup. This lighting setup includes a key light, a fill light and a backlight. This technique is also sometimes used in combination with natural light.

Studio portrait natural light

Studio portraits using filtered light are usually achieved with the use of large windows to let natural light in that have white sheer curtains or other white material that allows light to stream in evenly.

Reflectors are used to balance the brightness of shadows. The window becomes the main key light and a reflector is used as a fill light. A second reflector behind the subject can be used as a backlight.

Flash fill, fixed lighting and natural light

Flash and fixed lighting can be used in unison with natural light when conducting studio portraits either as the key light, back light or to fill in shadows. The drawback with combining natural light and controlled lighting is that you do not have full one hundred per cent control over all light.

This is because natural light, although on the whole can be reasonably reliable, it is not always the case such as when the light dims when clouds move over, or in the late afternoon as the sun sets.

Best lenses for studio portrait photography

Fixed prime lenses and medium-range zoom lenses are common in portrait photography. A common fixed prime lens used in portrait photography is the 50mm (the nifty fifty).

Best prime lens for studio portrait photography

The best all-around portrait fixed prime lens for portrait photography on full frame cameras is the 85mm as it allows you to capture full-body portraits without having to step too far back from your subject within the studio. The 135mm prime lens comes in second as it is great for more-details close-up views of the subject.

Best zoom lens for studio portrait photography

The best all-around zoom lens for studio portrait photography would be the 24-70mm zoom lens. This lens offers a good range of depth options for you and is suited for smaller spaces and for capturing everything from single subjects to larger groups. Whatever lend you choose, it is the size of your studio and the size of the subject that may determine the lens.

The 70-200mm zoom lens is a good option if your studio floor is long enough for you to step back and capture the model, as it will allow for more compression on the subject.

Light modifiers – reflectors

A reflector is used to bounce light towards a subject. It is usually made from several materials including reflective silver material, reflective gold material or matt white. Each surface provides a slightly different light, with the white matt reflector providing the softest meld of light.

Light modifiers – Shoot through umbrella

A shoot-through umbrella is a light modifier through which a flash is usually lit. In the case of a white umbrella, it is positioned with the round end towards the subject and the flash positioned within the umbrella. The flash lights up the umbrella and reflects broad diffused light onto the subject.

Light modifiers – reflector umbrella

A reflector umbrella has the same basic shape as a shoot-through umbrella, however, the rounded side is directed away from the subject. A flash is positioned within the umbrella towards the reflective underside of the umbrella.

When the flash fires, light hits the reflective underside and is dispersed backwards towards the subject. Where a softer light is required, a diffuser is positioned across the front of the umbrella. This creates a much broader softer light that caresses the subject’s form more delicately.

Light modifiers – softbox

A softbox encloses a light source in a confined enclosure, with a semi-transparent white diffuser at one end through which the light is disseminated onto the subject. Both flash and fixed lighting can be used with a softbox. A softbox is a very versatile piece of equipment in a studio as it is usually easily collapsible so has portability, and comes in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and configurations.

Light modifiers – grid light

A grid light modifier is a grid-like or honeycomb structure that is fitted over a light source, usually a softbox. When light is directed from the softbox and through the grid it restricts the light being emitted to a smaller area, helping to control the light source and direct it more onto specific areas of a subject.

Light modifiers – beauty dish

A beauty dish is a parabolic-shaped reflector that disperses light into a focal point. When used the correct way a beauty dish wraps light around the subject in a soft fashion. It is commonly used for studio portraits and fashion photography.

Light modifiers – colour gels

Colour gels are small plastic or glass that come in a variety of colours. These are fitted over or hung in front of the flash or fixed light source to change the colour of the light source.

Light modifiers – other

There is a range of other light diffusers and modifiers such as the snoot, which directs a sharp cylinder of light into a point on the subject. An Omni bounce is a small diffuser that is attached to a flash. It spreads diffused flash light over a larger area than direct flash.

A dome diffuser is a dome-shaped usually plastic device that is attached to a flash. It spreads light in much the same way as a bulb. It will illuminate a larger area than an Omni bounce, and with a softer light. A bounce card is a small, usually white card that is fitted to a flash to bounce light forward.

Expand your studio when you are ready

Studio portrait photography can be as simple or as complex as you desire. When first starting out you may find it better to start small and simple. Then as you become more experienced and confident in your studio work you can add to your equipment.