The Right Light

About the Author
Acknowledgments

Introduction
Getting Started
Available Light on Location

1. What You Need
Camera
Lenses
Zoom vs. Prime
Focusing, Stabilization, and Speed
Tip: Do Your Homework
My Suggestions
Lens Hood
Cleaning Kit
Tip: A Place to Meet Your Clients
Tripod
Memory Cards
Camera Bag
Lighting Gear
A Reflector
A Plain White Umbrella
Clamps
Licences and Permits

2. Get Started
Know Your Gear
Choose a Direction
Find Your Style
My Style
Tip: Complementary Colors
Emulate Others
Tip: Finding Your Style
Build Your Portfolio
Exposure Modes
Skip the Automatic Mode
Shoot in Manual Mode
Tip: Semi-Automatic Modes (Sometimes)
Tip: Basic Exposure Settings
Exposure Metering
Center-Weighted Metering
Partial Metering
Spot Metering
Evaluative (Matrix) Metering
White Balance
Automatic White Balance
Outdoor Presets
Indoor Presets
Custom (Manual) White Balance
Tip: White Balance for Creative Effect

3. Outdoor Locations
The Shoot Requirements
Location Scouting
Look Beyond the Obvious
At the Beach
On the Street
In the Backyard
Versatility Is Key
Tip: Posing Aids Increase Variety
Don’t Overlook Simple Backgrounds
Safety First
Tip: What to Look for in a Location

4. Outdoor Lighting Basics
The Amount of Light
The Quality of Light
Hard Lighting
Soft Lighting
Light Quality Sets the Mood
Tip: Add a Diffuser
The Direction of the Light
Front Lighting
Side Lighting
Backlighting
Rim Lighting
Tip: A Reflector with Backlighting
Open Shade
Dappled Light
Overcast Skies
Tip: A Dream Location
Stormy Skies
Tip: Don’t Mess with Lightning
Tip: Thank You, Hurricane Isaac
Reflected Light
Natural Reflectors
Portable Reflectors
Lens Flare
Tip: Postproduction

5. Twelve Hours
of Shooting
Sunrise
Tip: Be Prepared
Light on the Subject
Tip: Light on the Background
Exposure Settings
Morning
Add a Reflector
Exposure Settings
Midday
Tip: Try a Storytelling Approach
Find Open Shade
Tip: Head to the Garage
Add a Polarizing Filter
Afternoon
Sunset
Tip: What to Shoot at Sunset

6. Shooting Indoors
The Client’s Home
Tip: Lifestyle Portraits
Settings and Style
Tip: Capturing Emotions
Lighting
Tip: Window Light and Time of Day
Tip: In the Nursery
Use the Porch
Five Looks, One Window
Factors to Consider
Tip: Window Light Considerations
Get Started
Look 1: Split Light
Look 2: Loop Light
Look 3: Rembrandt Light
Look 4: Butterfly Light
Look 5: Broad Light or Short Light

7. Posing to Flatter
Evaluate the Subject in the Light
Tip: Lighting Meets Posing
Give Clear Direction
Look for Shapes and Lines
Create Asymmetry
Look for Shapes
Watch for Posture
Do What Flatters
Tip: Understand Your Client
Incorporate Environmental Elements
With Single Subjects
Use Leading Lines
Tip: Don’t Forget the Hands
Posing Families
Pose to Show Relationships
Relaxed and Natural Is the Goal
Tip: Never Stop Shooting
Compose the Group, The Try Variations
Posing Children
The Child’s Personality
Put Kids at Ease
Tip: Tips to Put Kids at Ease
Do the Parent-Requested Poses First
Lock In Your Camera Settings and
Concentrate on Your Subjects
Tip: Up in the Air
Demonstrate What You Want
Know When to Stop Posing
Tip: Redefine Your Idea of a “Portrait”
Have the Parents Nearby (But
Out of the Way)
Strive for Variety
Spontaneous Moments
Give Gentle Direction
Change Things Up

8. The Business of Business
Plan Costs vs. Income
Know Your Strength and Weaknesses
Set Up Shop
Become a Real Business
Get Insured
Set Up Legal Forms
Manage the Accounting
Order Business Cards
Choose Packaging Supplies
Establish Your Pricing
Spread the Word
Social Media
Blogging
Make Regular Updates
Build Your Brand
Stand Out
Choose Your Logo
Pick the Right Business Name
Consider Your Target Client
Make the Sales
A Service-Based Industry
Hone Your Phone Skills
Tip: Basic Sales Categories
Tip: What Clients Want to Know
In-Person Meetings

Final Thoughts

Index