Simple Lighting Technique Pt.2 | Raleigh Portrait Photography

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This post is part two (see part one HERE) of my fun & easy simple lighting set up.  I am so excited to share because it really is so darn easy and produces great results.

Cloudy day.  Part one showed how we were on my covered  (important to acheive this look) front porch with ten dollars worth of foam core board we are using for background and reflectors.

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This image we are in same location with same set-up, MINUS the reflector to the right side of her face. I wanted more light/dark contrast for this portrait.

This type of lighting is called split lighting. It splits the face  into equal halves with one side being in the light, and the other in shadow.

I had her look her eyes to the sky to get those gorgeous catch lights …

My youngest assistant was holding a small piece of foam core at the subjects waist

(you can see how the foam core lightened the bottom of her iris a bit).

I really like it in B&W too

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Simple & effective.

Part three will show how I moved the set up slightly & gained some wind in the hair without the convenience of electricity!

~Kathy

Hi there!

 

If you are visiting my site for the first time, welcome to Kathy Howard Photography!  Glad to have you.

Feel free to take a moment to look around & view my work.

Comments or questions ?   I’d love to hear them!

Have a spectacular day.

~Kathy

Simple Lighting Technique Part 1 | Raleigh Portrait Photography

 I realize more and more everyday how much a simple portrait makes me happy, deep down happy.

The portrait that captivates the viewer.  Eyes open to the soul.

 A few weekends ago my husband and son left to camp for the weekend.

Three girls in the house with new lipstick & excitement to have what we called our magazine glamour portrait party.   Lots of laughter, music & chocolate chip cookies!

Front  porch & a cloudy day.

Cloudy days ( in my opinion) produce flat lighting.  I like to try to liven things up by tunneling the light, meaning be in an open yet covered area. The light is coming more directly into the subject, instead of  overhead.

Three pieces of white foam core board, one large & two poster size.  Total cost approx. $10.00.

A. The background

B. Reflector held by subject underneath face

C. Reflector held by me to the LEFT of the face, to brighten her right face side and block any blue color casts from the door.

D. Comfy pajama pants :)

The resulting image :

f 3.2   1/320th  ISO800

(slightly different hair-do & collar from behind the scenes photo, but same simple lighting set up)

Notice the catch lights in the bottom of her eye, created by the white foam core she is holding at her waist.

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Coming up in part two we will remove one reflector, yet get even brighter catch lights!

And a favorite out take from the weekend, as I was attempting a glorious sisterhood portrait …

I think Cyndi Lauper had it right many years ago … “Girls just wanna have fun”

If you have any questions, leave ’em in the comments & I’ll be sure to answer!

~Kathy

Eleven. | Raleigh Cary Family Portrait Photography

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Hello there!  I am still here.  With lots to share soon.

Took a break these past two weeks to take care of some personal business before the mad rush of fall & holidays arrives.   I do still have some spaces open for mini-sessions so please contact me if you are interested!

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This site is in the process of being upgraded & changed, and I am super excited about it!  Please bear with me, especially those of you that have signed up for email updates.  All will be rosey within the next two weeks.

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During my short break, my son turned eleven.  He started middle school this year, and I couldn’t be any prouder of him & how he is embracing the early mornings and extra homework.  Sure does make the weekends that much sweeter!

With the change of schools has come a change of style.  He is 100% all about polo shirts & plaid shorts.  I bought him a hat for his birthday, and you would’ve thought he’d won the lottery!

I finally dragged him outside this week for his eleven year old shoot, with his new hat.  You can tell by the first photo he wasn’t quite in the mood.  However, a little potty humor goes a long way & I managed to capture some images of him that I will always treasure.

In under five minutes :)

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Have a great weekend & I’ll see you here next week!

~Kathy