Studio Photography: A Realm of Complete Control
Studio photography is a domain where professional photographers enjoy absolute control over their images. In the photo studio setting, every technical aspect can indeed be meticulously adjusted: lighting and light intensity, the use of flash or continuous light, composition, accessories, and backgrounds.
At the heart of studio photography practice lies the art of controlled lighting, a crucial skill for achieving precise and aesthetically pleasing results. Managing studio lighting requires an in-depth understanding of various lighting setups.
Regarding the Equipment Used in the Studio
Professional photographers use a wide range of cameras in the studio, from small, medium, to large formats, depending on the specific needs of the photo session. The photographer may use hybrid or reflex cameras, or even a view camera.
Essential Studio Lighting Setups
Lighting setups are the cornerstone of studio photography. They serve to shape the light to achieve the desired effect and highlight the subject. Lighting setups vary depending on the type of subject being photographed and the desired style. Here’s a list:
3-Point Lighting
This classic setup uses three distinct light sources:
- Key Light: The main light source that illuminates the subject. It is usually placed at a 45-degree angle to the subject.
- Fill Light: Used to reduce shadows created by the key light. It is typically placed on the opposite side of the key light.
- Backlight: Also known as rim light, it is placed behind the subject to separate them from the background by creating a glowing contour around the subject.
These light sources can be adjusted and balanced in various ways to achieve different lighting effects and minimize unwanted shadows.
Rembrandt Lighting
This setup creates a soft and enveloping light that highlights the contours of the face, creating a small triangle of light under the eye opposite the main light source. It is named after the painter Rembrandt and the 17th-century Dutch school of painting, which favored this flattering setup that suits all face shapes. The idea is that the light comes through the window of the painters’ studios, creating this triangle.
Split Lighting
This technique divides the face into two halves, one illuminated and the other dark, creating a dramatic and contrasting effect that draws attention to the subject’s features. The light source is placed on one side of the subject.
Clamshell Lighting
The “clamshell setup” is ideal for flattering portraits as it creates soft and enveloping light that eliminates harsh shadows under the chin and around the eyes. It involves placing one light source above the subject and another below (hence the idea of a shell). It is particularly used by portrait photographers.
Butterfly Lighting
Also known as “Paramount,” this lighting flatters facial contours with a light source placed above the subject, similar to the clamshell setup. It is recognized by the delicate butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose, characteristic of this lighting. You will see it in many Hollywood films.
Profile Lighting
Suitable for a dramatic ambiance, profile lighting is used to create a silhouette effect by lighting the subject from the side, avoiding direct lighting on the face. Parts of the face are thus plunged into shadow while others are highlighted by light.
High Key Lighting
Associated with fine art, High Key lighting produces bright and airy images with very little contrast between dark and light areas. The result is often in light tones, even white. These portraits are often minimalist and leave room for the viewer’s interpretation.
Low Key Lighting
In the same spirit as High Key lighting, Low Key lighting features a dominance of more pronounced dark areas, creating a more dramatic lighting effect. It is also associated with fine art.
Background Lighting
By using light sources directed at the background, photographers can create color and texture effects that complement the main subject.
Choosing Backgrounds and Accessories for Successful Portraits
The choice of backgrounds and accessories has a significant impact on the ambiance and aesthetics of a studio photo session. Different types of backgrounds can be used: neutral backgrounds, colored backgrounds, or backgrounds with complex textures and patterns. There are infinite possibilities depending on your project!
The most commonly used accessories in studio photography are reflectors, diffusers, and light control screens. They help refine the lighting and shadows.
A Few Retouching Techniques for Professional Results
Photographers can explore advanced studio portrait and retouching techniques. Among these various techniques, you may find:
Contouring
A retouching technique that involves sculpting the facial features to create more pronounced light and shadow effects.
Advanced Digital Retouching
By using advanced retouching software such as Photoshop or Lightroom, photographers can refine every detail of the image to achieve professional and flawless results. Different retouching techniques include color adjustments, skin imperfection correction, and selective blurring.
Discover Spéos’ Training Programs
Spéos offers various training programs ranging from a simple one-week photography workshop (beginner and advanced) to three-year programs. The longer programs to become a professional photographer not only allow mastery of all photographic techniques and vocabulary (blur, hyperfocal, sharpness zone, depth of field, backlighting, focal length, trigger, autofocus, wide-angle, rule of thirds, etc.) but also all the steps of shooting and image processing.
Visiting the school allows you to discover the premises, studios, and equipment. In addition to open days, Spéos offers visits by appointment throughout the year to come and discover the school with a member of the team.
