Creating stunning portraits even on challenging days is entirely possible with the right techniques and equipment. Understanding how to manipulate both natural and artificial light can transform your photos, giving you the control to achieve the desired effect regardless of the weather.
Coming to you from Jiggie Alejandrino, this insightful video breaks down how to create a beautiful sunset portrait on a rainy day. Alejandrino explains the importance of understanding light direction and how to use it to your advantage. By identifying the direction of natural light, you can decide whether to use it as a key light, hair light, or fill light. This is useful creating a natural-looking image with a good wraparound effect.
Alejandrino demonstrates this technique by positioning the subject in various spots to find the best background and light combination. He emphasizes the importance of matching artificial light with the direction of natural light to maintain consistency in the image.
In this setup, Alejandrino matches the color temperature to the ambient light to ensure a seamless blend. Additionally, he introduces a a hair light behind the subject, adding depth and dimension to the portrait. By adjusting the color temperature, he enhances the warm tones, simulating a sunset look even on a cloudy day.
Alejandrino's approach highlights the creative use of white balance. He changes the white balance settings to give the image a warmer tone, conveying the desired mood. This technique demonstrates that perfect white balance is subjective and can be used creatively to evoke different emotions. The final touches, such as asking the subject to adjust their pose or interaction with props, help in capturing a natural and engaging portrait. 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!"
