Dramatic Lighting On Location

Education

Introduction

What's up, everyone? My name is Sal Cincotta, and today, we are here on location in O’Fallon, Illinois to discuss and demonstrate how to create dramatic lighting for portraits. We'll break down the setup using the FJ400 strobe from Westcott, providing some technical insights and practical steps for achieving stunning results.

About the FJ400

The FJ400 packs a punch with over 400 watts per second of power and a quick recycle time of 0.9 seconds at full power. It delivers over 500 full-power shots on a single battery charge. Importantly, it maintains accurate color temperature, which is crucial for consistent results during post-processing. Inconsistent color temperatures can cause significant time loss in color correction, but the Westcott FJ400 minimizes this issue with its reliable color accuracy.

The Zoom reflector we’re using amplifies the light’s power and provides a more dramatic look to the portraits.

Camera Settings and Flash Power

For dramatic portraits, start by darkening the scene. This means underexposing your background to create high contrast between the highlights and shadows. Set your camera to ISO L (low ISO 50). We’re shooting at F2.8 to achieve a shallow depth of field, which necessitates using high-speed sync due to higher shutter speeds.

The first shot we take is at 1/6400 of a second, which results in an almost black frame, indicating we’re significantly underexposed. Adjust from this baseline as needed to achieve the desired effect.

Using Flash

The flash will illuminate our subject. Initially, the flash power is set at 7, but might need to increase to full power (9) since high-speed sync mode reduces the flash output efficiency.

For this demonstration, the light source is positioned approximately 10 to 12 feet away from the subject. Adjust based on the specific requirements of your scene.

Positioning and Angles

Ensure your subject is positioned in a way that complements the dramatic effect. For example, having Heather stand with her hands at her hips and adjusting her face towards the light source ensures prominent lighting.

When shooting, use lower angles to create a powerful and dramatic look. This technique emphasizes strength and prominence, essential for certain portrait settings.

Adjustments and Final Shots

If the light is illuminating too much of your subject, adjust the flash position to create shadows and add depth. Fine-tune until you achieve the desired balance, then guide your model into different poses to explore various dramatic effects. Simple adjustments, like positioning the model’s hands, tilting the head, or changing the body stance, can significantly enhance the portrait's impact.

Keywords

  • Dramatic lighting
  • Portrait on location
  • FJ400 strobe
  • High-speed sync
  • Underexposure
  • Color temperature
  • Shallow depth of field
  • Flash power

FAQ

Q1: What is the purpose of using ISO L (low) while shooting portraits on location?

A1: Using ISO L (low ISO 50) helps to underexpose the background, making it darker and thus creating a more dramatic contrast between the subject and the background.

Q2: Why is color temperature consistency important in portrait photography?

A2: Consistent color temperature ensures that each frame has the same color tones, reducing the time needed for color correction during post-processing.

Q3: What challenges might you face when using high-speed sync with your flash?

A3: High-speed sync can reduce the flash's power output, requiring you to increase flash power settings to ensure adequate lighting, especially when shooting at higher shutter speeds.

Q4: How does the position and distance of the flash unit affect the final image?

A4: The distance and position of the flash determine the intensity and direction of the light. Proper adjustments are needed to control shadows and highlights for the desired dramatic effect.

Q5: What angles are recommended for shooting dramatic portraits?

A5: Lower angles shooting upwards can create a powerful and dramatic look, making the subject appear more prominent and strong. However, this may vary based on the desired effect.