Why I love using hard light in the studio
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- In this video I'll talk about why I love shooting with hard light and why most people are so afraid of shooting with it!
A majority of photographers only use softlight -- and for good reason -- softlight is more flattering on your subjects and more forgiving than a hard light source. Softlight sources include modifiers such as umbrellas, softboxes and octaboxes for instance.
Hard light on the other hand can be very tough on the skin and introduce a lot of contrast into your images. This can be completely suitable for what you're shooting however. Hard light can be perfect for beauty and makeup shots that focus on skin for example. Hard light modifiers include things like Magnum reflectors, bare bulb, and even direct sunlight.
Hard light creates really defined shadows which can be great for creating really dramatic results.
My top 3 reasons for why I favor hard light in the studio are:
👉 Control :
Because hard light has a lot of shadow definition, it gives me a great deal of control and allows me to place a shadow exactly where I want which gives the look of precision, which is exactly what I want for my style of photography.
👉 Creative shadows:
As mentioned above, using hard light allows me to create crisp and precision shadows which can often lead to very creative results that you just can't emulate using a soft light source. I'll often use a flag and a gobo to create these crisp lines and shadows across a subject's face to get even more interesting results.
👉 Vintage, film noir:
I personally love the visuals of vintage images and film noir movies. I find them to be romantic and dramatic and more often than not images from that era are using hard lights. This cinematic look really comes to life when you hard lights.
I challenge you to experiment with hard light sources, whether they be the modifiers mentioned above or even direct sunlight with a flag or gobo. You might be pleasantly surprised with the results.
🔥 For some hard light inspiration I recommend checking out my Creative Studio Lighting guide that has many hard light creative setups for you to choose from and create: lindsayadler.photo/creativeli....
🔥 Lastly, if you're totally new to studio lighting or even have some experience but feel like you haven't yet mastered it I recommend checking out my ultra in-depth class called Master Studio Lighting: lindsayadler.photo/masterstud...
📸 Some examples of hard light modifiers:
✅ Profoto Zoom Reflector: adorama.rfvk.net/JAqEq
✅ Profoto Magnum Reflector: adorama.rfvk.net/RoRvN
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Portfolio: lindsayadlerphotography.com
Instagram: / lindsayadler_photo
Facebook: / lindsayadlerphotography
Twitter: / lindsayadler
Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
Who else loves Lindsey?
Yep, agree, her work is astonglishly top class :)
Dope
ah she is the best!!! Im inspired by every image!
I do.. she's my studio inspirator
Agree not only is she an amazing photographer but you can’t help but love her as she just seems like the sweetest person to meet. Which is on my bucket list 😁
I love hard light also, it just gives photos another dimension!
Finally someone who understands my creative vision! Film noir & classic Hollywood portraits are beautiful and paved the way for the portrait industry for sure! Hard light can do some amazing things -- stop being afraid and just try it! :)
These sample images are simply stunning, and superbly creative!
I don't care for nearly 100% of the photography I see in so-called fashion magazines, but I just adore Lindsay's photography. And unlike so many others that fancy themselves photography gurus, she is a great instructor.
Thank you so much for the kind words! :D
Totally agree. Lyndsey is100% instruction 0% waffle. Always clear and concise 😊
love the photo at 1:41, very Albert Watson! amazing video
Another masterclass from Lindsay!!!
Sweet!! Great options to create stunning photos. Love your website.
Nice😊
Great info as always! I love my magnum
Lindsay!! Such great stuff as usual!
excellent approach! thanks so much!
Nice and simple way to explain hard light! I love soft light, but from time to time it is good to try different lighting techniques. :-):-)
You are amazing! Love it
Gorgeous speaker and photos ✨✨✨
Beautiful images
love what you do..
These photos go hard
Hard light shooter here. I find soft light boring. I like to see excitement and impact in photos and hard light gives that.
Love it, BTW nice Air Remote Silicone!
Lindsay is queen! ❤️
Me too Girl, post is the key, more info more to play with
Cool!
The best.
Hi Lindsay, for makeup artists, would you recommend a fuller coverage makeup application with more matte finish for hard light?
Love you 💗💗
The uniquely gifted, hard working and inspirational Lindsay. Time to try some hard light. It's crazy, as in street photography I love shadows with hard light, creating unique lines and patterns, but dont utilise it in wedding or other work. Time I should try.
@@lindsayadlerphoto First, I always feel giddy when people I look up to reply, thats just me ha.
Second, I will have to try that, either find the light or create one. Though the fast paced nature of it , doesnt always allow to be extra creative but It's what I aspire to create. Thx
Danke 👌
Facts!
That's how I learned in Photo school, we used Photogenic strobes, the light had a metal 12in reflector with a diffuser on it, barn doors and that was it. Easier to see how your lighting patterns are going to look. I agree about the old B&W photos of hollywood. I think if you use a Red filter on your lens it has a skin softening effect. Way before PS. LOL
Thats a great point-- it is easier to see your lighting patterns!
Hi Lindsay ! which modifire should i buy for profoto b 10 for hard lighting? thanks :)
I´ve been strugling with soft light, but now I think I´ll try some hard light instead...
Yass
I love breaking rules! #subscribed
I love shooting hard light and street why not in portraits
nice, thanks for sharing! Prost!
I love this challenge and I love hard light too! It's drama
im all about the drama. :D well... in my photos, not real life.
FIRST ❤️😭🙏🏾
I agree that hard light can yield lovely results but credits must be given to the MUA as well :-)
totally
@@lindsayadlerphoto btw, happy new year to you Lindsey !
I got so addicted to shooting hard light that I can't shoot soft light anymore. 😅
It is addicting! I find that I can get very creative with it! :D
❤❤❤💚
Where can I see the excellent photography in the video?
Scattered all around, probably on my instagram @lindsayadler_photo or on my site lindsayadlerphotography.com. :)
Not much photos looks great without information in blacks.
Ilja Iljaa True… When it's not intentionally done. If someone is immature in their photography and doesn't know what they're looking at in their images and there are random areas of clothing or hair or skin falling to black and the photographer doesn't even realize it and there is no purpose to those blacks, then yes. Not many photos will look great.
But when you have someone like Lindsay who spent the majority of her early career as a portrait photographer shooting soft light and honing the dynamic range of her photos, it's very different. Every shadow is on purpose. Every solid black or even solid white area is on purpose. Each shape creates line and contrast to draw the eye to specific areas or allow bold colors to stand out purposefully.
And if this wasn't the case, she wouldn't be able to afford a photography studio in the heart of Manhattan right down from the fashion district. Nobody who knew, TRULY professionally knew imagery would want to hire her especially somewhere as competitive as New York. That's why her contrary message is so powerful and resonates so deeply, because it really successfully goes against the grain.