Contents
Portrait Poses
There are three basic positions for someone’s head and face in a portrait.
- Front view
- 3/4 view
- Profile
Front view.
Photographer: Celeste SlomanThree-quarter view.
Photographer: Celeste SlomanProfile.
Photographer: Nadav Kandar
Expression
For family photos a smile is a must but not so for a portrait. It is however important that your subject look comfortable. It is your job as the photographer to talk with your subject and make them feel comfortable.
Focus
When shooting a portrait, the subject’s eyes must be in focus. Full stop. period.
Photographer: Philip-Lorca diCorcia Photographer: Helene van Meene
Portrait Lighting Styles
There are a 5 basic lighting styles for portrait photography. Each style is defined by how light falls on the face.
- Rembrandt Light – the model is face forward, main light is at 45 degrees and casts a light on the opposite side of the face to form a triangle on the cheek.
![Rembrandt Lighting](https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/model-comd1340/files/2020/07/michael-b-jordan-tgj-2017-191910.png)
2. Broad Light-model’s face in 3/4 view-light falls on the side of the face with the visible ear. Good for controlling the reflections on glasses.
![](https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/model-comd1340/files/2020/08/b26e4af2a7f9927db1ecf380d0d389f9.jpg)
3. Short Light-model’s face is in 3/4 view, the light falls on the side of the face with the features. (Not on the side with the visible ear.)
![](https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/model-comd1340/files/2020/08/aretha_matthewJordanSmith-684x1024.png)
Both of these are examples of short light.
![](https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/model-comd1340/files/2020/08/DSC_8447_CHADWICKBOSEMAN_4-1024x576.jpg)
4. Butterfly Light, Clamshell or beauty or glamour light-model is face forward, front light.
![](https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/model-comd1340/files/2020/08/tyraBanks.jpg)
5. Split Light-model is face forward, the main light is at 90 degrees to the camera and falls on one side of the face.
![](https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/model-comd1340/files/2020/08/APRINCETONIG_10313685157.jpg)
Inspiration
Photographer: Mark Seliger Photographer: Arielle Bobb-Willis Photographer: Oliver Schrage Photographer: Josefina Santos
Lab
Homework Assignment
Quiz Questions
1. Identify the 2 basic portrait lighting styles for a portrait shot in a 3/4 view.
2. Identify the 3 basic portrait lighting styles for a portrait shot in a front view.
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