MEW Photography: Our first visit to the Studio

In October last year we made our first venture as HND students into the studio. We were going to be practising achieving the lighting effects of butterfly, split and Rembrandt lighting.

The butterfly effect was where we would achieve a small shadow underneath the subject's nose which was in fact shaped like a butterfly. The split lighting effect was where we would produce literally a split down the centre of the face, with one half of the face in shadow, and the rest perfectly lit. Finally, we would then be achieving Rembrandt lighting. This refers to the small triangle of light that would be shown in many of Rembrandt's portraits, on the cheek of the subject.

Emma advised us that some of our cameras actually might have a Portrait setting on our cameras that would assist us in getting the right look. I did find this setting on my camera and adjusted this. This was found in Set Picture Control, and in this setting you could choose from a number of settings – Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape. I did choose to use the Portrait setting.

We were in a group of four, Louise, Catherine, Beth and myself. We all assisted each other in both directing, and modelling. I did notice that my images were not coming out as I wanted them. I did choose auto white balance, F/8, shutter speed 1/125, ISO 100 with a 50mm lens. I did change to a 40mm lens later on in the shoot.

It was decided after consulting with Emma that the Portrait mode on my camera was causing the problem with my images, and it was decided to change this.

After changing this setting the images achieved were more acceptable.

I do know that I need to get closer in to my model when using the 40/50mm lens in order to get an image that I won’t need to crop more of the background out.

I know that to become more comfortable in the studio requires going in there regularly, so that it becomes second nature, and not a chore. This is also true of working with models. So far I have only worked with my fellow students, and used my daughter as a model. I need to be more adventurous in this and start networking so that I can build up my portfolio.

After all said and done I do think that I managed to get the required butterfly, split and Rembrandt lighting effects, and these are shown here. I did edit my images in Photoshop, but the editing didn't affect the light. I only used Photoshop to enhance my images, and remove any small blemishes from my subjects (a stray hair, etc.).