Portrait Photography and Photographers

Lighting for Portraiture:

When portraits are taken in the studio the photographer has complete control over the lighting. There are many techniques and ways in which to light the subject’s face some of these are:

Three point lighting uses three lights to fully light the subject from three different angles. 

Key light/ main light in light that is usually placed to one side of a subject face (just above eye level) the purpose of this technique is to emphasize or give shape to a person’s face. The depth of shadow can be controlled with a fill-light.

Fill-in Light is used to control the contrast in the scene. The fill acts by lifting shadows. 

Accent-light are there to accentuate a subject, typically this lighting will separate the subject from the background.

Butterfly lighting uses two lights one directly in front of the subject, just above the camera and the other in a rim light, which is often a reflector placed below the subjects face. 

Portrait Photographers:

Jason Bell is a British, London and New York based editorial photographer, though looking at his editorial work I found his portrait photographs to be of interest. Bell’ photographs have appeared in many publications starring many famous actors, singers etc. These include; Johnny Depp, David Beckham, Emily Blunt, Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Winslet, Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman etc. 

I find the portraiture created by Bell to be at such a diverse range regarding lighting and colour. It’s his black and white images that I think are most captivating and inspiring; these photographs are both dramatic and powerful, due to the light that have been provided by the photographer. 

Ash Kingston is a British, London based portrait and commercial photographer; working with clients such as, Adidas, Adidas Originals, ASOS, CLASH, DAZED, GQ Style, i-D, LOVE, Miss Vogue, MTV, Novembre, NYLON, Optology, Rollacoaster, Wonderland, The Beat, Topshop, VICE, V Magazine and Y-3. 

I find Kingston’s photographs to be both powerful and well composed. He uses the light around him to create shadow, giving his images further depth.