Knowing how to guide your subjects and adjust your light placement is essential for achieving the polished and professional look you’re aiming for.
Coming to you from Jiggie Alejandrino, this informative video breaks down the key elements of posing and lighting. Alejandrino discusses the pitfalls of falling in love with the wrong compositional elements, such as logos or background distractions, that can shift the focus away from your subject. His approach centers on ensuring that your main subject remains the hero of the shot while using the environment and props to complement rather than overpower them. This is valuable advice, especially if you want to avoid common mistakes like overcrowded compositions or misplaced emphasis.
The video highlights the need for balance when positioning subjects in a scene. Alejandrino shows how subtle changes—like adjusting the angle of the subject’s head or the placement of their hand—can dramatically alter the overall feel of an image. He demonstrates these principles with real-time adjustments, offering insights on how to prevent straight lines from making a pose look stiff or unnatural. Every small detail, like a slight bend in the elbow or a soft curve of the fingers, contributes to a more relaxed, natural look.
Lighting also plays a crucial role in this setup. The video shows how even a slight increase or decrease in power can make a big difference in the mood and texture of the image. Alejandrino’s use of underexposure to create a moody atmosphere and fill light to add subtle highlights on the face illustrates how minor tweaks can bring out the best in your subject. These techniques are crucial for controlling the visual narrative and guiding the viewer’s eye to the intended focal points.
Alejandrino also stresses the importance of giving subjects a backstory or scenario to create a natural-looking shot. Asking your subject to imagine texting a loved one or having a drink at a bar helps them relax into the pose. This approach not only makes them feel more at ease but also results in more authentic expressions. Instead of forcing stiff poses, you’re guiding them through a story that feels organic. The result? Images that look candid and believable rather than staged or overly posed. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Alejandrino.
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!"
