A Portrait Photographer’s Guide to the Three Main Lights

Portrait photographers have always been told to make images during the “golden hour” and avoid “midday sun.” The safe rule is a good starting point, but it may teach you to limit yourself, then overcome these barriers. If you are someone who can’t understand natural light, then here are some tips to keep in mind.

Hard Light

Hard light is when the sun is directly in your face, with no chance of diffusion at all. This can also be during the midday, when the sun is above our heads, casting harsh shadows. This leads to sharp shadows and strong contrast. New photographers are often asked to avoid it, as it can be unforgiving on the skin and the highlights can appear as blown out. However, hard light helps to create drama in your portraits.

When shooting here, you need to be at the edge of the shadow. A crisp line can help with how directional your light source is. Check which side of the face to show and which side to hide. Look at the direction of the light, as the subject’s head can be angled that way. The image above is a great example of how turning the head of the model was helpful.

Hard light can be rewarding if photographers learn how to compose using it. The harsh shadow helps to the graphic element of the image, and can cut through the light with ease. You can let the shadow fall on the ground, using it as a secondary shape. If you turn the photos black and white, you can also create noir-like portraits rather than a “ruined by bad light” one.

Soft Light

Soft light often comes when you have an overcast sky, open shade, or when there is some light bouncing off a white wall. It is gentle, with little shadow, and softness overall. This is the most preferred light by photographers, as it is quite flattering. If you are someone who can’t study shadows, then this is the best bet for you.

To study this, look at how soft the shadow appears. In some cases, it is barely there. Like the image above showcases some shadow on the child’s face because of her hair. Sometimes, you must check the direction, or you can just look at how heavy the overcast is. For instance, the photo above showcases that there is no real direction, which means no matter where she stands, the result will be the same.

The only challenge is that portraits can appear flat. One can try to position the subject near the window or the doorway, and then use the bright and the dark side for their needs. If you can get a bit of fog or mist, then your portraits can be more impressive.

Backlight

This is when the light is behind the subject, and this can be a challenge since you are also managing flare, silhouette, and exposure, all together. To get better, look at the glowing edge of the frame. This area is around the hair or the shoulders. Also called “rim light,” and must have to be crisp.

The trick is that you need to check the meter on your camera. It’s likely the subject will be underexposed if you focus on the light. So, you will have to focus at a mid-point, which can be of help in getting the correct exposure. Flare is important, as it can enhance your portraits. However, by moving around, you can control the flare. The distance between the subject and the background can be of help. With a f1.2 or f1.4 lens, you can get some nice separation.

Whether it is hard, soft, or backlight, each of these can be helpful in ways you can’t imagine. So, give it a try and see where it goes.