Black-and-white portraits can emphasize textures, shadows, and depth. Mastering this style will set your work apart, offering striking visuals that command attention.
Coming to you from Lindsay Adler with Adorama, this practical video guides you step-by-step through creating dramatic men's portraits using one, two, or three lights. Adler begins by demonstrating how to shape drama using just a single strobe, effectively positioning it to create shadows and depth without losing the subject in darkness. She explains how feathering the light source creates richer shadows and ensures the background doesn't overpower the portrait. Adding a silver reflector for subtle fill can enhance critical details like the eyes without reducing the image's overall intensity.
Adler then shifts to a two-light setup, incorporating a Magnum reflector with a grid to deliver a sharper, more defined quality of light. This setup highlights skin texture and bone structure distinctly, making the image bold and graphic. The second strobe, placed strategically behind the subject, transforms a neutral background into pure white, dramatically isolating the subject. Adler demonstrates how simple positioning adjustments, like introducing a flag to block some light, intensify the contrast, sculpting a more dramatic portrait without complicating the setup.
Moving into her three-light setup, Adler introduces the Westcott Optical Spot as her primary tool for precise, creative lighting. She shows how you can place narrow slices of light exactly where you want them, creating unique patterns and dramatic effects reminiscent of cinematic lighting. This technique adds complexity to your portraits without overwhelming the subject. Adler reveals how carefully placed spill from this modifier can mimic the effect of an additional rim light, maximizing the effectiveness of each piece of equipment. The third light—a soft umbrella—serves as a fill to balance the composition subtly, ensuring shadows don't become overly dark, preserving crucial details in shadow areas.
One particularly useful aspect of Adler's approach is her focus on real-time adjustments. Shooting tethered into Capture One, she clearly illustrates how each lighting adjustment affects the black-and-white conversion, emphasizing the importance of visualizing final outcomes during the shoot. Adler provides practical tips for controlling shadow depth, enhancing contrast, and fine-tuning lighting to suit the mood and intent of each portrait. Her approach makes dramatic lighting accessible, even if you're limited by a small shooting space or minimal equipment. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Adler.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
