Lighting can make or break your photos. It’s one of the most important elements to get right, yet it’s also one of the most common areas where mistakes happen. By understanding a few key missteps, you can improve your results quickly and avoid some of the pitfalls that hold many people back.
Coming to you from John Gress, this insightful video highlights five lighting mistakes that can impact your images. The first mistake is skipping catch lights—the reflections of your main light in your subject’s eyes. Without them, your subject’s eyes can look lifeless. To fix this, adjust your light until you see the reflection from the camera’s perspective or take test shots to find the right angle. Gress points out that certain conditions, like long eyelashes, might block catch lights. While you can add them in post-processing, it’s always better to get them right in-camera.
Another common issue is unflattering light placement. When the subject’s position changes relative to the light, it can create unintentional effects like broad lighting, which can make features look less appealing. Gress suggests paying close attention to your subject’s positioning and ensuring that light hits both eyes for a balanced look. Intentional choices, such as split lighting for dramatic effects, are fine, but accidental misplacement often results in unwanted shadows or wrinkles.
Subject separation is also key. Without an edge light or hair light, your subject can blend into the background, making the image feel flat. Gress suggests using lights on the sides or ensuring the background is brighter than the subject to create contrast. This step adds dimension and ensures your subject stands out from similarly colored or dark backgrounds. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress.
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!"
