How to make a good portrait under low-light conditions

In the film photography, the level of light intensity in the 100 candles / foot below, collectively referred to as low illumination. And all kinds of indoor environment of people's life basically in low illumination light, the human eye are the most comfortable light, also in the range of the low illumination. However, today we talk about the "low illumination", does not involve the strict theoretical definition. Low illumination lighting is not only a rational concept, is also a kind of perceptual feeling. This article explores several typical "low illumination environment, hope to bring help to your shooting practice. Here, to share their specific low illumination shoot processing technique.

1, Use artificial light to realize "real drama"

Want to have relationship between light and shade photos first. I'm personal prefer shooting in ambient light contrast, sunny I will choose in the morning or evening to clap, if it is cloudy will according to the characteristics of the environment, try to simulate a contrast of the ambient light lamp. When it comes to low illumination, we will talk about the photographer pursuit of and natural light. Is the most taboo and lamp, the picture and the contrast of light and shade is too abrupt. Flash to combine the use of natural light, follow the principle of natural light and natural be in harmony are an organic whole. I am looking for is to make the character and environment organically, likes nature itself, character has to be comfortable in the environment. So the photographer must learn to real "simulation". In the surrounding environment is not ideal, we are in the imitation of the ideal state, to achieve a tendency in the real light efficiency are very beautiful, very true as natural light, but a little more than natural artistic quality.

2, use color opportunely, highlights the bright spot

In addition to the use of light to make contrast, breaking the plain dark color environment, photographers can also be clever apply colorific hue, lightness and purity to foil characters, expressing emotions, highlight the main body. A good wedding photographer must be colour has strong sensitivity, and good at using color make it more artistic beauty and more attractive, more important is to convey a message, the mood or atmosphere. When shooting but also to the light source color temperature influence on color, observe, and good at analyzing the characteristics of different light sources. Use of the differences in the different light source color temperature of environment to realize the image contrast of changes in temperature, is also a kind of commonly used to the artistic technique of expression.

3, try to use slow shutter to show appropriate action

Darker shooting environment provides an excellent conditions, trying to slow the door photography need not add grayscale on camera lens, can get relatively slow shutter speeds. In addition to control the contrast between light and shade in the picture, we can also contrast through creating a movement to realize the unique artistic charm, rich picture, add interest and art. Usually people used to call below 1/30 of a second shutter speed slow door photography. Slow door, is a relative concept, mainly through the speed difference creates a picture of the actual situation. Take good slow door key is: slow and steady. Want to use the slow shutter photography, hold it is almost impossible, tripod is indispensable, if conditions permit, perhaps with a shutter release, it will be more conducive to maintain the stability of the process, to ensure that the final resolution of the picture. Provide the "low illumination" feeling, is not the same as with smaller power source for lighting design. Lamp to achieve low illumination effect can let the shadow detail more delicate, more to the requirement of the photographer's ability to control the picture is also very high.

4, to find effective environmental light source

I like to observe the environment, and constantly to find that can take out have qualitative feeling, have a light tone. I am good at is to look for "shooting", with his eyes swept away can see the picture after taking effect, environment, Angle chosen, the arrangement of the characters and design also becomes very simple. For low illumination environment light condition is bad, find light becomes a top priority. Often you feel ordinary can no longer ordinary scene, maybe just a light, open a door, pull a curtain, and in the picture will be completely different. This picture is in a constant light source, visible to the naked eye, in this picture, the figures reasonably arranged in line, as long as the person's mood, feeling to integrate into the environment is good. Also, observe and analyze the different light source color temperature, especially when the situation more complex indoor light, will analyze, within the environment of various kinds of light, the light of all kinds of electronic display screen, the sun shined through doors and Windows, and so on, control the proportion of them and present form, so that the images of the light is not messy.

5, dark environment tend to be easier to highlight the elements of bright,

In addition to the main characters, we can also try to let the light to take part in the composition. Run out to grasp the frame structure and hierarchy, as far as possible eliminate interference theme composition, change numerous for brief, using lines and frameworks such as interesting composition style, rich picture of visual expression, increase the picture space cadence or guiding line of sight, emphasize the key role. The deconstruction of composition style is better to avoid the big scene picture of loose and disorderly, filming the key lies in the fact that create a sense of order picture at the same time, also highlight and good character. In under the action of light, the line can be highlighted, the structure can be clearer. Light is the most powerful and effective means. Need to emphasize that the fill light to comprehensively consider two by light of light and shade, control good contrast, otherwise it will cause the level of the shadow damage or too much light overexposed. Which does not damage the surrounding environment as a prerequisite, and pay attention to leave any defects in the picture?

6, silhouette, leaving people more associations

Ambient light is not enough, sometimes it is difficult to show character details. At this point, we might as well will be treated as subject directly into a silhouette or half silhouette, this can not only increase the picture art effect and imaginary space, still can make main elements were highlighted and strengthened. When shooting, it is important to note the metering point selection. Silhouette of the fun is not only show the character's profile and background environment, you can play imagination, will the shadow "zoom", like the picture below the water curtain movie "effect.