Improving hard light
Using
the Hard light mode on an image with two layers the same boosts the contrast
and saturation of the image
Question
I’m trying to master hard, directional
lighting with one light, a reflector and honeycomb but the light still looks
soft – what am I doing wrong?
Answer
If you’ve got the light 45 degrees up and
to the left or right and around a couple of metres distance, then it’s most
likely to be down to post production. The editing is just as important as the shooting
in the process of creating the hard-light look. In Photoshop, a Levels
Adjustment Layer will allow you to check you’ve got the full contrast range –
bring the black and white top ramp sliders in to meet the histogram info edges
if it doesn’t already. Then use a Curves Adjustment Layer to darken the shadows
with a shadow point, using midtone and highlight points to fix the highlights
and midtones. A further Curves Adjustment Layer can boost overall contrast a
touch by dropping shadows and pushing up the highlights.
Step 1:
Here’s our image before any Photoshop editing. Strong light has been used but
the shot needs a bit of tweaking to be brought to life.
Step 2:
Levels set the contrast range while Curves improve the contrast, darkening the
shadow tones that make hard lighting work.
Step 3:
Another Curves layer is used to improve global contrast further and some extra
Curves layers can be used to dodge and burn locally.
Off-camera flash
Question: I’ve taken my Speedlite flash off-camera to improve my portraits,
but how can I prevent the shadow from falling behind the model onto the plain
white background?
Answer: If
you want to light your model and background, the shadow is sadly unavoidable
unless you’re prepared to invest in a second Speedlite and fire that remotely
at the background. You’ll need to pull the model far forward enough so the
light doesn’t catch the side of her head and set the flash power high enough
for it to kill the shadow. There’s plenty of information on the web about
syncing two units. The alternative is to try and eliminate the shadow in
post-production. If the shadow is low down enough that it doesn’t touch the
hair is should be easy enough to select with the Quick Selection Tool. Then
just clone it out on a new layer.
Light modifier accessories
3 of the best
Barn doors
Website: www.warehouseexpress.com
Unwanted spill light is the enemy of
controlled, precision lighting. You can help prevent light bouncing off nearby
walls with the use of barn doors which help to direct the light just about any
way you want it.
Honeycomb grids
Website: www.juststudiogear.co
Use one of these inside your reflector dish
to really focus the spread of light. Available in a variety of options,
honeycomb grids offer more control than barn doors and will require a fill
light to prevent harsh shadows.
Diffusion material
Website: www.rosco.com
A studio flash with reflector dish alone
creates specular highlights and ugly, harsh shadows. You can easily soften the
light a touch with some diffusion material such as spun, frost, or rolux made
by Rosco.
