2 Point Lighting Photoshoot Plan
2 Point Lighting – This style of lighting usually consists of 2 main light sources, a key light and a fill light. The key light illuminates the subject while the fill light removes any unwanted shadows that the key light has created. It is important to note that the second ‘light’ could actually just be a reflector or wall that allows the light to bounce off it onto the subject.
My plan for this photoshoot is to have a 2 point lighting set up in the studio at school, I will photograph my friend who is comfortable in front of a camera in hopes of capturing images of a professional standard. I am going to use a spotlight to the left of my subjects face and a panel LED light to the right. I plan on using different coloured gels over my two lights to experiment with complementary and contrasting colours. Additionally, I want to explore using different camera angles and compositions. For example, I plan on taking headshots, close-ups, mid-shots and long-shots in hopes of producing a range of images with different compositions and seeing how the camera angle effects the lighting and atmosphere of the photo.
Contact Sheets
Selected Images
Final 2 Point Lighting Portrait
I chose this image for my final 2 point lighting portrait due to its highly saturated colours and clear abstract lighting. My image was taken using artificial lighting, with gel colours providing a contrast in tones. I really enjoy the way the red lighting highlights the subjects face, creating an effect similar to sunlight shining through a window. As I had set up this light to the left of my subject, it allows the warm colour to fall across the photograph and gradually gradient to a less saturated tone. Additionally, I used red and purple gels in this image to experiment with clashing colours. I love the way the purple lighting provides a subtle background colour while emphasising the bold red highlights that fall across the subject. Moreover, I believe this contrast in colour forms a warm inviting mood in the image which is furthered by the subject’s direct eye contact with the camera. Furthermore, due to the harsh lighting of my photo, several dark lines can be seen on the subjects clothing and neck which contrast with the bright red surrounding them. The dark areas of this image clearly direct the observer’s focus, for example as my subject has dark hair and eyes they stand out against the pastel background, creating a clear focal point in the centre of the subject’s face.
Double/Multi-Exposures
I decided to experiment with creating some double/multi exposure images from this photoshoot, similar to the work of photographer Man Ray and his work during the Surrealism movement- more info on Man Ray can be found here https://www.manray.net/ and examples of his work are below. I produced these images by layering different photos, and sometimes the same photo, from the shoot on top of each other on Photoshop. I reduced the opacity of one layer to produce the ‘multi exposure’ effect which I believe creates a more abstract atmosphere in my images. In addition, the bold colours of these photos mixed with the strange composition created by the multi exposure editing makes the subject appear alien-like and resembles something you may see on a sci-fi movie poster. I really enjoy the way this editing has created such a contrast in mood and context from the previous in this shoot, I like how the repetition of the subject gives the impression she is moving quickly. Furthermore, the repetition in these photographs symbolises echoes of the past, especially in the top right image where it seems as if the subject is leaving her body behind, conveying the idea of time moving swiftly on.
