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Home » Mastering Lighting Techniques for color theory and light values Photo Shoots

Mastering Lighting Techniques for color theory and light values Photo Shoots

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Mastering Lighting Techniques for color theory and light values Photo Shoots

A photo shoot or any color theory and light values photography portfolio can become a part of a photographer’s identity.  One of the most important components of this is to fix the lighting. This is not just about showcasing the subject of the image but about directing people’s emotions around it. 

A photo shoot will include your raw images and the way you edit them, and demonstrate your concepts and technical skills. It will also show your versatility and knowledge of color theory and light values, which can be incredibly useful for roping in potential clients and building your clientele and reputation. You can also Outsource fashion editing to help you with this.

Why is light so important?

Light is the most crucial element that will determine the feel of your photo shoot.​ The time and the source of light will determine the entire ambiance of what you shoot and edit. For any portfolio or editorial, Golden Hour provides soft, warm, and nostalgic light that not only makes the images and subject look vibrant and flushed but also makes the concept all the more evocative. However, the mood you go for, of course, depends on the kind of shoot you’re trying to do. For instance, if it’s a more dark and sci-fi theme, then string artificial and LED lights would be your best friend. And perhaps some low-colored lights. 

Bokeh Lights

This lighting effect is one of the most useful tools for changing the feeling of your image altogether. A bokeh effect makes the image look far more romantic. You can select any shape for your lens blur effect and create a dreamy bokeh around the couple.

Light and color value

Fine-tuning the color palette and changing the value of your highlights and shadows in your image is arguably one of the most basic yet powerful abilities you can hone. This requires an acute adjustment of temperatures, exposure, and saturation. You can use HSL to fix specific hues further.

Equipment matters

What tools you use for your photography matters hugely to bring your final shoot to life. These include a range of cameras, lenses, continuous lights, strobe lights, lens filters, reflectors, modifiers, tripod, computer and editing software like Adobe Creative Suite, and even a bunch of experimental props such as color gels, color powder, curtains, etc. 

Wrapping Up

That brings us to an end of some of the cool steps you can follow to take your color theory and light tinkering skills to the next level. This is the full process of taking your fashion editorial concept from a mere pitch to a font cover. With practice, these skills are bound to become second nature. Till then, keep on editing!