Creative Lighting Techniques

If you're an old school photographer like me, you probably still use many of the techniques learned on your way up the professional photography ladder. Digital cameras and computer software definitely have some great advantages over 35 mm SLRs when it comes to special effects. Now days though, many photographers simply load up their images with these special effect filters to make ordinary photos look interesting. You can, however, still create great images using basic tools such as a tripod, strobe and shutter release cable.

If I'm photographing a client and can only take pictures in the evening or low light situations, I'll always be ready to get creative portraits. First, I'll find a nice location and good composition consisting of low or ambient light. Moving object such as cars or people can add to these photos and create a nice blur in the background so keep that in mind when setting up your shot. Once you've decided on a good location, put your camera on the tripod and connect your shutter cable. You should use a TTL or sync cord so the strobe is off camera and won't give your subject that dreaded red eye. The important ingredient here is a slow shutter speed so set your ISO and aperture to balance with your shutter. Under exposing your subject is necessary because you will be lighting them so be sure to bracket. Also, if your camera has a rear sync shutter, turn that on too. This will allow the flash to fire at the end of the shutter's exposure and moving objects will appear to move in their true direction.

Let's say we are using a street corner as the backdrop for our portrait. Pose the subjects and tell them to stand still, very still. Wait for some cars to pass by in the background and then pop the shutter. Light from the cars will give you some nice streaks through the frame's background and your off camera strobe will light up your subjects, free of red eye. Shutter speeds between 1/10 and 1 full second can give you some great effects and ambient light. Slower shutter speeds may create ghost images through your subject. This technique comes in handy when I'm creating a portrait or working as a wedding photographer in Chicago and want to shoot at night.