1. Lighting Techniques for
Portraiture
James Bell for A2 Photography
19/10/2011

2. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
Aim: Recognise the techniques used for portraiture image
making.
Learning objectives.
•Identify the advantages of using studio lighting.
•Research the function of a range of lighting
attachments/accessories.
•Produce images using “high key” and Low Key lighting
•Research relevant portrait/fashion artists.

3. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
Why use studio lighting?

4. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
• What is a portrait?
•Portraits convey emotions an insight to a persons mood,
identity.
•Choice of lighting will influence the viewers perception of the
subjects mood.
•High Key and Low -Key lighting are typical examples of how
a photographer can use lights to influence the viewers
emotions/describe character/stature.

5. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
High Key Lighting an image with predominantly light tones.
used in beauty images
light hearted
fun
Low Key Lighting an image with predominantly dark tones.
creates a mood
mystery
detailed skin texture adds character

6. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
Pablo Picasso by Irving Penn.

7. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
Irving Penn.

8. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
David Bailey.

9. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture

10. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
Rankin.

11. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
MID KEY LIGHTING.
Iggy Pop, by Annie leibovitz, Miami, Florida, 2000, Silver Print

12. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
Lighting attachments/accessories
TASK One
Name the above lighting accessories and describe their function

13. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
HIGH KEY Lighting diagram (EXAMPLE)
White cloth background
Light meter reading
wall f11 - f16
Lightmeter
White reflector
reading
face f 8
x
softbo
Camera @ 1/125s @ f8 - 0.5 stop

14. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
LOW KEY Lighting diagram (EXAMPLE)
BLACK cloth background
Light meter reading
wall f11 - f16
Lightmeter SNOOT
reading
face f 8
Black reflector(optional)
Camera @ 1/125s @ f8 + 0.5 stop

15. Lighting Techniques for Portraiture
Task 2.
• create your own low key and high key images
•Set up lights with help from tutor
•Produce close up images for retouching studies
(PHOTOSHOP)
•Down load images to computer and produce colour/black and
white print-outs.
•Keep records LIGHT METER AND LIGHTING
DIAGRAMS of evening for sketch book/journal
•Evaluate outcomes.
Home work:
•research high key, low key, mid key image
•plan lighting approach you will use in your project.