This photo demonstrates how low lighting can work best for a portrait.
Many people stray from trying to take portraits by themselves at home and opt to go to a professional and pay to have portraits done. What they do not know, though, is that with just a bit of equipment and a few minutes of setup time, those same professional quality photographs can be created at home. Great, professional looking photographs can be taken even with a simple point and shoot camera.
Instructions
1. Find the best lighting. Lighting is the most important thing in setting up a portrait. Direct lighting is difficult to work with and can cause harsh shadows in the portrait. Stay away from shooting in the outdoors in the middle of the day as much as you possibly can. Look for soft light where sunlight will hit, but no direct rays will be present. An open garage is a great place to shoot because it lets in just enough light for a great picture.
2. Look for a great backdrop for your picture. Usually, a black backdrop works the best; it will add drama to the portrait. A simple bed sheet will work, but make sure that there are no visible creases within the frame. Try throwing the sheet in the dryer for a few minutes to get rid of any storage creases.
3. Attach the backdrop to the wall using duct tape. You can use two sheets if needed, placing one on the wall and the other on the floor, connecting the two somewhere outside of the frame.
4. Use some sort of reflector to reflect some of the sunlight onto the subject. A mirror will work, as well as any white foam or board. Make sure the flash on the camera is off. Move the reflector until you are satisfied with the lighting. Another reflector can also be used for multiple light sources.
5. Dress the subject of your photos suitably and position him correctly. Different clothing and positioning can drastically change the outcome of the photo. Experiment with his position and the lighting created by the reflector. Also try shooting in both black and white and color to see which one works best for your photograph. Experiment with taking close-up shots and full body shots. It might take some time to capture a perfect image, so be patient.
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