Lighting​​​​​​​ People

A complete introduction to the Canon kit, lighting gear and photography techniques you need to light any portraits, from simple setups to fashion shoots.

Lighting people is an art that every photographer should master, and the following feature will give you an essential introduction to taking great portraits with lights. Using lights gives the photographer complete control over their shoot when inside the studio, and adds an additional layer of creative opportunity outside.

We kick things off by discussing the three variables that up make an exposure in the first place – shutter speed, aperture and ISO – and how they interact with one another in a lighting setup. We then move on to the benefits and drawbacks of flashguns versus studio lighting kits. Next up, we show you how to start typical studio lighting setups, including using a key and fill light, high-key and low-key lighting, and hard versus soft lighting.

Finally, we head outside and show you how to balance ambient light with a blip of fill-flash to make your subjects really stand out from their surroundings.

CAMERA SETTINGS

The first step, before setting up your lights and subject, is mastering your most basic and important tool – your camera settings determine how much light we allow into our images and hold a decisive role in the shooting process. Whether working with artificial or natural light, it’s crucial to understand how to control your camera.

Exposure & stops

Exposure is a term used to measure image brightness, and indicates the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor during the shooting process. The exposure is controlled by three main camera settings: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Getting a correct exposure means registering every shade and detail in the scene without losing any information due to shadows that are too dark or highlights that are too bright.