Photo credit: Stan Evans

Amadey

Male Nude (Hands Behind Back), 1952, Horst P Horst

I’m back!! Finally after months of appealing the explicit label Tumblr placed on my blog, they lifted it.

Dallas maternity photographer

Peacock Feather Macro by DisstonRidgeStudios Via Flickr: Canon R6 MP-E 65mm 1-5X Macro WeMacro Rail Godox X2T Flash Trigger Godox MS-300 Strobe Zerene Stacker

The lovely Leyla McCalla | Feb 2023

More posing and lighting study practice with @innabgnyc

One large strip box camera left and one small strip box camera right. This time I moved the left-side box further back a bit and tilted it more, angled towards her face. This created more tonality -- critical when there's no color to provide contrast and depth.

pinkshift 2023

color theory in the studio

My friend Xavier (photographed in 2019) ❤️

Natural Light and Studio Light: Gotta Know Both as a Photographer

Photography enthusiasts understand the critical role that lighting plays in capturing captivating images. Two primary lighting options often considered are natural light and studio light. Both styles have their own unique qualities and complexities, making them suitable for different situations.

Natural light offers versatility and authenticity, allowing photographers to capture moments as they naturally unfold. Understanding the concept of golden hour, the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, is crucial. During this time, the warm and soft light creates a magical glow that adds depth and dimension to photographs. Diffusing harsh sunlight and utilizing reflectors to balance shadows are essential techniques for working with natural light.

When shooting under direct sunlight, it’s essential to diffuse the harsh light to avoid creating unflattering shadows. Tools such as diffusers or translucent materials like fabric or specialized panels can soften the light, resulting in a more even illumination. Reflectors are also valuable for manipulating natural light. By bouncing sunlight back onto the subject, they fill in shadows and create a more balanced exposure. Controlling backlight is another technique to master in natural light photography. Backlighting occurs when the primary light source is behind the subject, creating a halo effect and emphasizing the outline. However, it requires careful exposure management to prevent underexposure of the subject. Utilizing exposure compensation or fill flash can help balance the exposure and maintain detail in both the subject and the background.

On the other hand, studio lighting provides precise control, allowing photographers to bring their artistic vision to life and execute more controlled and stylized images. Understanding light placement, working with light modifiers, and balancing color temperature are crucial in a studio setup. The positioning of key lights, fill lights, and accent lights determines the shape, texture, and mood of the subject. Light modifiers such as softboxes, umbrellas, and grids allow photographers to shape and control the quality of light, creating different effects to suit their creative vision. Balancing color temperature ensures accurate color representation in the images.

While some photographers may view studio lighting as a betrayal to the art of photography, this kind of thinking is shortsighted. Natural light has its allure, but relying solely on it can limit artistic range and consistency. Studio lighting offers a wide range of creative possibilities and control that cannot be achieved with natural light alone. It requires technical knowledge, skill, and an artistic eye to master. By embracing both natural and studio lighting and understanding their complexities, photographers can elevate their craft and produce striking and impactful images.

In the end, photography is an art form that thrives on experimentation, innovation, and pushing boundaries. Restricting oneself to only one lighting style limits artistic growth and potential. By embracing both natural and studio lighting and understanding their complexities, photographers can harness the power of light to create extraordinary images that captivate viewers. It’s the ability to adapt, learn, and embrace the diverse tools at our disposal that truly allows photography to flourish as an art form.

Bongoo & Dori

Studio Lighting Portrait Assignment

Model: Sophia Keller