Perfect Portrait Lighting

Daniel

This picture was taken with an f stop of 5.6 and a shutter speed of 1/60. I used two lights in front of Daniel, one on either side with the right one being a bit further away. I also used a light shining at the back wall from the bottom to eliminate shadows. The photos that I took in this shoot were my favourites by far and choosing one was really difficult for me. Most of the photos I took had Daniel looking contemplative, looking up through his eyelashes and were in black and white. Though these pictures may have been more elegant and deeper than this one, but this one had significance to me. His carefree expression reminded me of when he was much younger boy, and took me back to the summers we spent running around outside as kids. There’s all the time in the world to take substantial, implicit photos, but fleeting moments like this are a bit rarer.

Essma

I complained in my previous explanations about never being able to decide which photo to use, but this one was different. Right when I took it, I knew that it was the one that I wanted to use of Essma. Of course, I wasted another period trying to top it but it didn’t work and I have to say I’m pleased with this one even after a few weeks of different shooting. I love the elegant 2:1 lighting in this photo and the high contrast. It adds a bit of drama to a rather ordinary pose. Essma and I were chatting while I was taking these. I had just said something ludicrous to her and this was her reaction. This is such a distinctive Essma expression; a bit of a smirk on her face but the lowered lashes is her thinking about how to respond to what I said. My F stop was 5.6 and shutter speed 1/60. 

Izabela

This picture was an accident, but I was delighted when I saw how it turned out. Izabela was a fabulous model; very natural in front of the camera and composed. This was a bit of a problem for me, because I love Richard Avedon and wanted to copy the spontaneity of his photos. Mid pose, Izi blinked and I got this photo. The lighting is dramatic in contrast to her peaceful expression. Rather than looking vulnerable with her eyes closed, she looks content and comfortable. I love this photo because it shows a side of my best friend that is sometimes overlooked. She’s known for her boisterous laugh and enthusiastic personality, but there is always an underlying sense of calm and stability within her. I took this photo with an F stop of 5.6 and a shutter speed on 1/80. I had two lights set up at a 2:1 ratio on each side, but I turned one off for this photo and left the other one pointed at her from the side. This lighting works well with her position, as if she’s stretching towards the light.