articles/Projects/studiothoughts-page3
by David Williams Published 01/11/2005
"Good portraiture has nothing to do with how many lights you have, how strong they are, and what brand they are...it has everything to do with the QUALITY of the light you have - and how you modify it, no matter how small."
His name gets overly used in relation to portraiture, but what lighting system did Rembrandt use? What about Reynolds, Lely, Rubens, Van Dyck?... imagine
Mr. Rijn, (I so admire your work, and I'm just starting out in painting) what hair light did you use on that portrait of a man in a hat?"
It isn't about multiple lights, it isn't about expensive props, it's about the subject, the light, the ideas and the expression.
Just further to my quotation about the quality of light, let me explain further, and the hotel light bulb point is part of it.... A candle has a certain style of light, early morning light is a different quality to late afternoon (and a different colour) direct sun was something I avoided until I was exposed (sorry no pun intended) to the work of the Western Australian photographers....
We know that all of these light sources have widely diverse characteristics and intensities. Knowing how and when to use these, and how to replicate them in the studio environment is more important.
David WilliamsMy point is that it makes sense to explore what you have to work with first, before you go accumulating gear which may or may not suit your requirements, environment usage, intent or throughput.
Throughout my involvement with photography, I always felt a new camera, lens, or a new light would improve my photography. It's taken almost 30 years for me to fully understand my Dad's maxim about simplicity.
A female photographer told me she has just acquired a great reception area filled with natural light. I would really like to see what she comes up with...especially with her eye. Maybe she could show us what she does with a single diffuse studio light in the same position as the window?
There are 24 days to get ready for The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Wednesday 15th January 2025
SWPP - Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
The Society of Photographers
Clwyd Chambers, Clwyd Street, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3LA, UK
Tel 00 44 (0) 1745 356935
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